Truck stop does not meet county code
The giant Tennessee corporation Pilot Flying J told the Planning Commission that because a gasoline station was permitted for the N.M. 14 and Interstate 25 intersection, a truck stop could not be denied (“Closing arguments in truck stop drama,” Our View, March 21). Must a person holding a garage sale be allowed to develop a flea market, a newspaper vendor build a bookstore, or a Girl Scout selling cookies open a bakery?
Everyone knows what gasoline stations are and what truck stops are, and everyone knows they are not the same. That is why most of us avoid truck stops and refuel our cars at gasoline stations. If it is noisy like a truck stop, if it is ugly like a truck stop, if it is trashy like a truck stop, if it stinks like a truck stop, it’s a truck stop. The Santa Fe County Commission must protect our National Scenic Byway and deny this monstrous proposal.
Jerry L. Rogers Santa Fe
Lifting the cap
I’d like to thank Tripp Stelnicki for his article about the future of the New Mexico film industry rebate cap (“Film industry hopeful new gov. will address cap on rebates,” April 8). Speaking from experience, I can say definitively that the slowdown in New Mexico film has little to do with the lack of Westerns and everything to do with the cap on incentives passed by the Martinez administration.
I am a beneficiary of the film training program and have been a member of the film union, IATSE Local 480, since 2004. Since Gov. Susana Martinez took office and capped the incentives, my work has been increasingly out of the state (four jobs out of state since 2011, only one job out of state from 2004-11). I am working in Atlanta. New Mexico film will continue to wither and die unless we dramatically raise the cap on incentives or do away with the cap altogether. If New Mexico film dies, so will the many local businesses that support the film industry, the careers of the hundreds of union film workers who live in the state, and the hundreds of millions of dollars generated annually by the production companies who shoot here.
Marisa Frantz Cerrillos
Year of the dog
You wouldn’t expect an exhibit called Rez Dogs (“Chaz John at Ellsworth Gallery, Pasatiempo, March 30) to lift your spirits, but Chaz John’s portraits of these muchmaligned canines do just that. They are a tribute to the strength, endurance and joy found in both dogs and people who manage to survive and thrive under the most trying conditions. John’s work is a direct extension of his integrity, compassion and optimism.
Don’t miss the chance to see this inspiring show and meet the artist.
The closing reception is from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 13, at the Ellsworth Gallery. A portion of the proceeds from sales will benefit Española Humane, which will be there with canine guests. If you are an art and/ or dog lover, drop in, look around and feel your spirits soar.
Craig Castleman Santa Fe
Make it happen
To Donald Trump’s Education Secretary Betsy DeVos: I understand you’ve taken considerable heat for allegedly favoring and supporting private and charter schools over public ones. Here’s an idea that may help your image. Why not sponsor a volunteer public school science teacher to ride along on Orion Span’s Earth-orbiting Aurora Station, the “first luxury hotel in space” that hopes to launch in 2021? It will cost each passenger $9.5 million for the 12-day flight. As a billionaire, you may be able to manage the cost. Most teachers cannot. What a wonderful gift to some hardworking science teacher who can share the experience with his or her students. Please make it happen.
John Napier Santa Fe
Getting well
While we don’t wish ill health on anyone, if you do have a stroke, break your hip or are in an accident, the absolute best place to get well is Inpatient Rehab at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center. The doctors, nurses and staff are professional, kind, humorous and determined to get you back to your normal life. A spacious, sunny and quiet unit with the best health care personnel we’ve ever experienced. And they offer free ice cream 24/7.
Louise and Kirk Casselman Santa Fe
Insider knowledge
Stock market swings can make a lot of money for those who have advance notice of the swing. Donald Trump’s actions have caused very large swings in the stock market lately.
Obviously he has advance notice, and probably Jared and Ivanka do, too. Is anyone checking on their investments in the stock market? I think that normally it would be the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission who looked after this. Who is the present head of the Securities and Exchange Commission? Jay Clayton, these are questions I would like answered.
Sally Raisbeck Santa Fe