Anson Stevens-Bollen
Cover, Oct. 20: “Evicted, Rejected & Locked Out”
As a landlord
As a landlord in Santa Fe with three rental properties, all rented to low-income tenants who pay rent from their earnings, I read with morbid fascination your senseless piece of yellow journalism crafted to demonize landlords, (“Evicted, Rejected” & Locked Out.”)
The article creates the misimpression that when landlords decline to accept tenants paying with rental assistance such as Section 8 vouchers, it’s for a bad reason such as greed. What the article doesn’t say is how landlords know from real-life experience that tenants paying with government assistance often make bad tenants. Those are often tenants who engage in illegal conduct, own vicious dogs, damage the property, tell lies, annoy or intimidate neighbors, live in chaos, routinely pay the rent late, or stash old furniture and junk on the portal. The same tenants often have an endless stream of random visitors coming and going in the middle of the night. Tenants have a zillion ways to exploit and intimidate a landlord and place the landlord at risk, since legally landlords can be held liable for the criminal acts of tenants.
The article also creates the false impression landlords evict tenants for no good reason. To the contrary, landlords don’t want to evict people. When evictions happen, it’s because the tenant is causing problems. Here’s the recipe for tenants to avoid eviction: Pay rent on time, be honest, don’t damage the property, behave respectfully, don’t run a drug or sex business in the property, don’t bother other people, be kind to the neighbors.
Ray Rodriguez, Santa Fe
News, Oct. 20: “Twisted Words”
Love for Midtown?
I have read a number of comments in various reports online describing Mayor [Alan] Webber’s rudeness to the employees who work under his direction. That most of them happen to be women is, of course, a coincidence, and in no way implies misogyny or harassment. Rudeness and arrogance from male politicians in the workplace certainly is nothing new. That women catch the brunt of it is nothing new. It is not even the worst thing that could happen…
My own issue with the mayor has nothing to do with any such lack of courtesy. Mayor Webber refuses to reopen LaFarge library and the whole of Midtown has suffered for two years from the loss of direct access to books and online services. Those adults who wish to educate themselves are limited to curbside service and, when the schools are closed down due to the [pandemic] the same is true of the kids…It is clear that Mayor Webber has been grossly uninformed. Ignored by the mayor and not represented by anyone on the City Council, Midtown has been unable to advocate for its own services. We need to help the gentrification project along by finding representation elsewhere. Perhaps from someone who has lived in the Midtown area, raised children in Midtown schools and sees its library as centrally located with lots of free parking access. Perhaps someone who is actually interested in meeting the needs of Midtown residents who have homes and rentals that are not on the Midtown Campus and make up most of the Midtown population.
Cheryl Bartlett, Santa Fe
Online, Oct. 20: “In the Dark”
County and city fail us
The county makes a promise, then backs out because of cost. They could have done something with the money budgeted for improvements, but instead chose to do nothing. My understanding is there may still be improvement monies held in trust?
Buy land and dedicate it as open space. Then forget about developing it. Then when the bond is paid off, say “Hey let’s sell the land and buy more open space elsewhere.”
What are the chances that if the county were permitted to sell THIS OPEN SPACE, that they won’t sell the next open space they buy when the value of the land rises over 20 years. What we need is the courts to say “it’s been dedicated as open space and therefore the County can not violate the promise and commitment which they made to the people who paid for the open space, the citizens of Santa Fe County local to the immediate area of the South Meadows property.”
The city, too, is failing us. They could have accepted the open space as is and leave it as is. Zero maintenance. How much maintenance did the county put into it over the past 20 years? No one is asking for a developed 22-acre park, with playground equipment, paved walking and bike paths, covered picnic areas, etc. Just leave it alone as open space! That’s all people are asking for.
Victor Lioce, Santa Fe
Cover, Oct. 13: “Bottom Dollar”
Back to back
I enjoyed the irony of back to back articles “Land in Limbo” regarding potential nimby opposition to affordable homes being built against your cover story “Bottom Dollar” about the lack of affordable housing options in Santa Fe.
Doug Dearden, Rancho Viejo
Online, Oct. 22: “Documents: Alec Baldwin Fired ‘Live’ Ammo in Accidental Shooting”
Can’t get head around
As a qualified forensic scientist and a avid firearms enthusiast in the UK. I cannot get my head around how this has happened. I have so many questions. This must be investigated to the fullest.
Simon Mitchell, via Facebook
How horrible
There have been TV shows about this happening. How horrible. Many actors use prop guns throughout their careers. Now Alec and many families have to live with this.
Iris Ramirez Rise, via Facebook
The first rule
Note to Alec Baldwin: So, you took a gun you believed to be empty and shot someone with it. You’ve used guns before and you know that the first rule of gun safety is “Every gun is always loaded.”
The second rule is “Only point your gun at something you intend to destroy.” You violated both those rules and a life was lost. But don’t worry: you’re rich and famous and heavily insured. Your lawyers will protect you. Nevertheless, you should be ashamed of yourself.
Mike Barrett, Ashburn, Virginia
