Just a shift — but likely no added jobs
Iwant to correct a misconception about the benefits of the proposed Pilot Flying J truck stop near Interstate 25 and Cerrillos Road (“Make room for opposition,” Our View, Jan. 16). This new truck stop will not actually create any net new jobs as has been suggested. Only a given number of vehicles travel those roads. Building a new truck stop will not add to that number. Existing travelers buy fuel and provisions at some other location now, so all this new truck stop will do is move those sales, jobs and tax revenue from one place to another. Pilot Flying J and Santa Fe might benefit, but only at the expense of some other New Mexico business and tax jurisdiction. People who support the truck stop may not find it important that someone else will lose out, but it should be kept in mind before anyone decides whether to support this proposed project. David Sawyer Santa Fe
Webber’s digital city
A growing economy requires an educated and connected community.
The Santa Fe of the future will require an educated workforce that is both interconnected and reliably connected to the outside world. The critical requirements for the future are widely available broadband connections, reliable cell service throughout the city and efficient travel connections.
Widely available broadband connections would leverage education and foster business growth in a digital economy. It is critical for filmmaking, not just in production, but for postproduction, which involves huge transfers of data. Businesses generally require reliable connections to the outside world and efficient logistical arrangements in order to grow. Alan Webber, the founder of Fast Company magazine, the bible of the digital economy, is in the best position as a candidate to not only recognize these needs, but to implement the necessary solutions. Steve Chance Santa Fe
Don’t support HB 38
Increasing shareholders’ profits is a telecom corporation’s job. The Wireless Consumer Advanced Infrastructure Investment Act, House Bill 38, facing New Mexico lawmakers, serves that aim.
It reduces a cell site’s application fee to $20. Leasing a public right of way (i.e. utility pole) shrinks from $1,000 per year to $250, if cable lessees also pay $250 per year. Otherwise, telecoms get free public right of way access.
House Bill 38 lets Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile each install unlimited cell sites. At 10 sites per square mile, Santa Fe could see 1,496 new sites; Albuquerque, 7,500 new sites; and Las Cruces, 3,000 new sites. The bill exempts (small) sites from zoning requirements such as neighborhood notification. It doesn’t limit a site cabinet’s air conditioning unit’s noise level. HB 38 lets telecoms apply for multiple permits at once and requires New Mexico municipalities to decide on applications within 30 days, prioritizing telecom development. HB 38 reduces telecoms’ expenses and municipalities’ income. Why would lawmakers support this “consumer” act? Katie Singer Santa Fe
Real gender equality
I read Alan Webber’s opinion piece on women (“No more time to waste: Women deserve respect,” My View, Jan. 14). I keep coming back to the Women’s Advisory Council portion. I’m getting so tired of token committees and special days (like International Day of the Woman) for women. All they accomplish is good PR for their founders. They don’t actually change a thing.
Alan Webber, are you planning on bringing in the proposed Women’s Advisory Council to your policy meeting when you are discussing the price of tampons or breast-feeding in public, but then sending members away when it comes to the male work of governing? It sure sounds like it.
If you really mean what you say, then make it a point to have women be an equal part of your administration, not some silly council that will not change the status quo one iota. And I didn’t see such a commitment in your piece at all. Megan Perkins Santa Fe