There’s no getting around the need for New Mexico’s film incentive program to have better accounting. As SFR has pointed out, the program’s frequently touted profits are not always all they’re cracked up to be. But that doesn’t mean the program isn’t profitable and good for New Mexicans.

This week’s merit badge for good government goes to City Councilor Carmichael Dominguez for his efforts to tackle quality of life improvements on Airport Road. The south side is Santa Fe’s bastard son, and is too often relegated to leftovers and afterthoughts, despite its youth, vitality and value to the city as a whole. But Dominguez’ plan ain’t exactly perfect.

Like other American geeks, idea junkies and proponents of innovation, creativity and the slim possibility of a future United States with meaningful, marketable skills, I was inspired and thrilled with the president’s State of the Union commitment to push wireless broadband out to 98 percent of the nation. Then I remembered I live in Santa Fe, where we’re determined to be in that SOL 2 percent.

At a recent convention in a large coastal city, I hopped in a cab with a colleague to cut across town with a little speed and convenience. My colleague turned out to be the kind of guy who can’t resist chatting up taxi drivers. And he turned out to be the kind of guy taxi drivers can’t resist.

According to Edison Research, the company that conducts exit polls for national elections, two out of every five voters in the 2010 midterm elections ranked “spending to create jobs” as Congress’ top priority. Job creation was near the top of the congressional wish list for the remaining voters, as well. But only a sliver of GDP will go toward job creation.

It’s no secret that Santa Fe’s got some gay pride. But a recent top ranking of Santa Fe’s overall “gayness” by The Advocate—the magazine that dubs itself “The World’s Leading Source for LGBT News and Entertainment”—has rankled some web-dominating New Yorkers.

Armageddon, it seems, takes many forms. For much of the world, the battle for the end times has begun with extreme and debilitating weather, and a rash of sudden, massive bird and fish deaths that can only be described as biblical. In New Mexico, it’s taken the form of a thorough blitzkrieg routing of state agencies and boards by new Gov. Susana Martinez.

If the City of Santa Fe passed New Year's Resolutions, what should it have resolved to do in 2011?

As the investigation into the horrific Dec. 14 accident that claimed the life of Kylene Holmes and gravely injured Santa Fe EMT Vanessa Carillo continues, the public will receive a detailed rundown of the actions of Holmes and injured passenger Jennifer Michelle Belvin in the hours before they collided with Carillo, at high speed, heading the wrong direction on Interstate 25.

I don’t know if anyone is really awaiting with bated breath Santa Fe’s new Super Walmart, but at least we may rest assured that, among other attributes, it likely will be super secure. Walmart shoppers will now be scrutinized by each other and by blue-vested Walmart employees with the same suspicious eye usually reserved for Transportation Security Administration screenings.