We must act now on ranked-choice voting

Ihope the Santa Fe City Council will reconsider its vote and really work to make ranked-choice voting happen in the next municipal election.

Ranked-choice voting has been in the city charter many years. New Mexicans have a secretary of state in Maggie Toulouse Oliver who is committed to expanding voting and assisting cities like Santa Fe implement ranked-choice voting.

Now is a great time to act, rather than delay (“Council delays ranked-choice voting,” June 29).

The new mayoral system the voters approved in our city charter gives the next mayor additional powers and duties, as well as a good salary.

By implementing ranked-choice voting, the City Council can assure that our next mayor has earned the support of a majority of Santa Feans.

The people have given the mayor a stronger role and I believe it is essential to make sure he or she receives a majority.

The City Council should reconsider its decision on ranked-choice voting with all councilors present, and give the public a chance to express their opinions. David Coss

former mayor Santa Fe

Hold council accountable

I witness in horror, day by day, how our democracy is being eroded by the Trump administration.

As a parent of a young child, I lose sleep at night thinking about what kind of world he will grow up in. The problem is too big and too overwhelming.

However, there are things that we can do to build our democracy right here in Santa Fe.

One of the ways in which we can do this is by holding our city government accountable and implement ranked-choice voting for our next municipal election.

We have been waiting almost 10 years for this policy to be implemented.

To our city councilors I say: Make sure we, at a local level, take steps to strengthen our democracy.

To my fellow Santa Feans: Call your council members and hold them accountable. Sarah-Jane Moody

Santa Fe

Purely voluntary

Having read the June 27 e-Voices column on the Opinions E-xtra page (“Forrest Fenn strengthens resolve as controversy over hidden treasure grows,” June 24), it appears that some readers believe that search and rescue responders in the state of New Mexico are paid for their services. While search and rescue responders work closely with the New Mexico State Police and Department of Public Safety and other agencies, New Mexico Search and Rescue responders are all volunteers. These volunteers pay for all their own equipment, including radios, clothing, climbing equipment, GPS tracking devices, packs and transportation. They take time away from their families, jobs and own recreation to rescue lost and injured individuals in the backcountry of New Mexico. They receive no pay for dangerous work usually performed out of sight of the general public, in all weather and at any time of the day or night. Plain and simple — New Mexico Search and Rescue responders do this volunteer work to save lives and to rescue people in trouble. Al Webster

New Mexico Search and Rescue responder Lamy

Reducing wildfire risks

Instead of spending tens of millions of dollars to deforest the natural treasure known as the Santa Fe National Forest to protect properties which border the forest from wildfire, homeowners should create defensible spaces and otherwise fireproof their properties.

That is the most economical and effective way to protect residences from fire. Promoting and assisting in this process should be priority No. 1 for the state of New Mexico.

Also, since the vast majority of fires are caused by humans, we need a statesponsored public relations campaign to raise awareness and change behavior. Such a campaign should be at least as vigorous as the excellent “stop DWI” campaign. Keith and Karen Simons

Santa Fe

Kudos to Lindell

Kudos to Councilor Signe Lindell for her compassionate, forward-thinking proposal (“City councilor proposes ban on circuses,” July 5). Just last month, New York City joined the growing number of municipalities that have taken a stand against exploiting animals by banning circuses, traveling shows and other acts.

Those decisions not only recognize the outcry from caring people who don’t want to see animals beaten and whipped for some false notion of “entertainment,” they should raise a red flag for every act that still forces animals to perform. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus brought on its own demise by refusing to stop using animals. Unless other acts take a cue from the many thriving circuses that feature only willing human performers, their days are numbered, too. Craig Shapiro

PETA Foundation Norfolk, Va.

Once a shaded trail

The Santa Fe River Trail has always been beautiful, shaded and sweet-smelling. Now, every week the city chops down more trees or, the current abomination, “extreme thinning.” All branches up to 10 feet off the ground are cut, the bushes ripped out. Now, much of the shade is gone. There is no longer a barrier of trees and bushes between the cars, noise and exhaust of Alameda Street, so walking the once deliciously cool and fresh trail is wretched with stink, noise and heat.

There used to be lots of birds and other animals playing in the river. Now, there is no greenery for them to frolic in. Even the beloved ravens are scarce. There can be no good reason for this destruction. It’s nuts. It invites erosion. Jan Boyer

Santa Fe