Letters to the Editor

Cover, March 6: “Bill Hearne’s Excellent Adventure”

One More Hat Tip

Great article—I love seeing Bill get some of the recognition he deserves. One clarification: Bill's last two releases (All That's Real and Where Lights Are Low) are on Howlin' Dog Records, an independent label out of Alamosa, Colorado. And his previous two albums were recorded there. … Thanks again for the great article!

Don Richardson
SFReporter.com

News, March 6: “Developing the Economy”

Here’s an Idea

The midtown campus plans should include a centralized athletic facility to supplement the city's beleaguered "wreck" centers. Santa Fe High School is just across Siringo Road, and the new DeVargas Middle School is under construction right next door. A first-class facility at 6,800-foot elevation would be a selling point to attract top athletes-in-training from all over. This is 700 feet higher than the Colorado Springs training facility for the US Olympic Committee, and world-class athletes often have corporate sponsorships that would be great for Santa Fe's economic development if they could be attracted here for training.

William Craig
SFReporter.com

Cover, February 20: “Here Comes the Sun”

Jobs Versus Planet?

The Land of Enchantment's job picture is very rosy, but employment growth is not a given. The truth is, we cannot take anything for granted, especially because of the new agenda we are seeing out of Santa Fe.

The new governor, new regulators, and new legislators all are targeting the natural gas industry that the University of New Mexico Bureau of Business and Economic Research is sure will continue to create jobs. Regulators already have suspended a policy that would allow new wells. The governor, in her previous post in [Congress], called for more regulation at both the state and federal levels. She also opposed moves to expand natural gas production. She's made it clear she'll do the same as governor.

Not only would these restrictionist policies impact the number of new jobs the economy will create over the coming years, they'll hinder efforts to transition to cleaner energy. Wind and solar aren't yet plentiful enough to meet energy demand. Without natural gas? Well, then we'll have to turn back to dirty coal. I know that's not what policymakers want, but they do need to consider the unintended consequences of their actions.

Helen Guerra
Dexter