Cover, Aug. 13: “Mom Squad”
Mother to Mother
I'm really touched by this article and especially by the essays. I'm a first-time mom of a different generation: I was 32 when I had my son, and I waited so long because I wanted everything to be right—my partner, my accomplishments, my education, etc. I don't regret my decisions, but this article and these women have highlighted what I have experienced since having my son: A baby is something you love, not something you regret. Having a child changes your life and your outlook on life forever. I found these young mamas so inspiring with their determination and the great love and strength they bear for their little ones. I'm glad that the schools are supporting them, and I hope that the community will, too.
Morgan C
SFReporter.com
News, Aug. 20: “Mining for a Vote”
Listen to the People
The fox is now in our hen house. Please publish the "Oath of Office" that our county commissioners took after being elected. Whom did they swear to represent? Did we elect them to represent the people who elected them or any random corporate interests?
There is a petition of over 7,000 signatures and over 300 public comments made in person to the county commissioners and official representatives from Cochiti Pueblo, Santo Domingo Pueblo and Tesuque Pueblo who represent another few thousand people all objecting to the mining proposal. We all have clearly and strongly spoken.
It is not just a few dozen people objecting to mining.
Should we start a recall or a legal action for our representatives to represent us? Democracy is at stake.
Lynn Allen
SFReporter.com
Take Note
"...What's legal is not always right." We hope that our commissioners can honor the distinction.
Robert Hake
via Facebook
Outrageous
In June, more than 600 citizens turned out to oppose an application that seeks to rezone residential/agricultural land on La Bajada Mesa to establish a gravel strip mine.
The timing of the subsequent hearing, in the middle of a work day, constrained the public's ability to participate, yet about 200 citizens still found a way to attend.Commissioners heard three additional hours of testimony, with the governors of Tesuque, Kewa and Cochiti pueblos each urging the commission to deny the rezoning application. Yet the commission returned from a private executive session to announce they would again not vote and, at some unspecified time in the future, issue a decision.
Worse, they have chosen to cut off visibility into their decision-making process by deliberating in private. That is simply no way to run a democratic government. As a voter, I want to know what my elected officials really think and what they really do, not what their marketers and handlers want me to believe come election time. I want to bear witness to decisions that directly impact my health and safety, the welfare of my community and the quality of life in the place I have chosen to call home. What about a land-use case could possibly be so sensitive that it can only be discussed behind closed doors?
I am shocked by the disrespect this shows to the democratic process and to the members of the public, many of whom have made great personal sacrifices in order to actively participate at every step along the way. I believe the people of Santa Fe County deserve better.
Diane Senior
Santa Fe
Brief, Aug. 20: “Re-Evaluating Reform”
Used
One of my issues: I do not want my or any other children used as tools by the administration for teacher evaluation.
James Gallegos
SFReporter.com
Skip the System
Parents: It is your right to opt your children out of all standardized testing. It's easy, it's good for your kids and it is the most direct path to taking down the whole education "reform" house of cards. Opt out!
Cate Moses
SFReporter.com
Cover, July 30: “Shattered”
Points for Variety
I was shocked when I moved here from the Midwest last year to find how minimal and inconvenient Santa Fe's recycling program is. Towns where I have previously lived provided one 60-gallon toter for garbage and one 90-gallon toter for single-stream recycling (including No. 3-7 plastics, cereal-type boxes and corrugated cardboard that didn't require cutting down and binding). In some towns, recycling pickup was free, but there was a per-bag charge for garbage, which definitely encouraged recycling.
Angela
SFReporter.com
Music, July 16: “Lost in Austin”
Concurrence
I live in Austin and have been to Santa Fe many times in my life. The author is correct in his assessment of the drastic difference in the music scenes. The nightlife in Santa Fe is piddly at best; it's a city that for the most part goes to bed at 9. On the other hand, Austin is world-renowned for the scene that has been cultured and maintained here. The White Horse is a fantastic venue that has great integrity in their staff and musical performances that are booked—along with so many other venues in Austin.
Google HAAM. This is just another thing that makes Austin an incredible model. The Health Alliance of Austin Musicians provides health insurance to performing musicians in Austin. The city actually takes care of the musical talent. Baffling right?
Sparklingthenred
SFReporter.com
Damn You, Hot Women
I'm from Austin and from what I can tell, involvement in the scene is more of a social challenge than a musical one. It's all a big popularity contest and a game of "who do you know and how have you served them?"
There are hot chicks who can't spin train-wrecking all over the place, and this is allowed to happen because everyone loves hot chicks. Conversely, there is some virtuoso playing on the sidewalk because he has been alienated as a working musician by the scene for whatever petty reason.
Doktorj
SFReporter.com
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