This is in response to disparaging and racist remarks about New Mexico and its residents attributed to Val Kilmer, the actor who is now scheduled to appear before the San Miguel County Commission on June 23.

Remarks he made back in 2003 and 2005 to Esquire magazine and Rolling Stone are now being denied by Mr. Kilmer. Both magazines have stated publicly that, despite Kilmer's denials, they stand by their reporting. Kilmer has been asked to personally appear before the county commission and explain his position.

Recent news articles indicate that Kilmer will be represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, which claims Kilmer's right to free speech is being violated. The ACLU went on an "ambulance chasing" activity to solicit Kilmer as their client, yet the ACLU has never taken a position where it is truly needed, such as in the recent racist, inhuman treatment against one of our Native American brothers who was branded with a Swastika on his skull and also on his arm. The ACLU has failed here in New Mexico.

We are prepared to deal with the ACLU. In my opinion, the ACLU is attempting to threaten our county commissioners for having taken a position to table Kilmer's application and create fear on our elected officials. We, the voters in San Miguel County have the ultimate vote as to our commissioners. Mr. Jesús López, San Miguel County counsel, correctly advised the board that they should table Kilmer's application before the county's planning and zoning commission pending Kilmer's personal appearance.

Kilmer has made many incendiary statements and continues to agitate many residents here in New Mexico. Despite his denials, Kilmer has never protested, nor has he ever brought a lawsuit, against the magazines. Kilmer applied for a conditional-use permit for the operation of three guest houses for overnight lodging at his Pecos Valley Ranch, which we are appealing.

Kilmer labeled our Vietnam veterans as poor borderline criminals, and stated that he carries a gun because he views our county as the homicide capital of the U.S. Many of our veterans have indicated that they want to confront him personally at the forthcoming meeting. In addition, our County Commission Chairman David Salazar took the lead in tabling Kilmer's application pending issues affecting his application and the immense hurt that he has created among Hispanic residents and others who have personally stated to me that they deplore Kilmer's statements and support our desire to have the commission deny his application.

Some of our Vietnam veterans, including family members, other friends from our small rural town (Rowe) and many others who risked their lives only to have Val Kilmer denigrate them and depict them as criminals express disgust and anger about the way he has portrayed poor Hispanos here in New Mexico.

Sí, se puede — Yes we can!

Abran 'Abe' Tapia lives in Rowe. He's the precinct 22 chairman in San Miguel County and is appealing the Planning and Zoning Commission approval of Val Kilmer's application for a conditional-use permit to the Board of County Commissioners.