Generous Santa Fe steps up for others — again

We did it — again. The results of the ninth annual Neighbor to Neighbor Fund Drive this year was beyond amazing, with the grand total of $170,979.03. That equals 854,895 pounds of food, providing 712,412 meals for those in need. We are overwhelmed with the continued generosity of this year’s 128 neighborhoods and businesses, which stepped up giving generous donations during this trying and challenging time because of the coronavirus pandemic. This grand total certainly will help The Food Depot be prepared for the fall months ahead.

My heartfelt thanks goes out to each and every person who donated. You made a difference in the lives of others in our community. Thank you.

Linda Wilder Flatt founder and coordinator Neighbor to Neighbor Fund Drive

Vote safe and easy

I commend Randy Randall of Tourism Santa Fe and the entire staff of our Santa Fe Community Convention Center for making voting so safe and pleasant. While waiting for a short while on a beautiful day, I felt safe being outdoors, under a portal, 6 feet apart from others, and seeing masks on everyone. During my brief time indoors to vote, I noticed a lot of ventilation, mask wearing and distancing. And there were plenty of voting stations to keep things moving quickly and smoothly. Early voters have never been so well-protected. Thanks to all.

Deborah Potter Santa Fe

Well-done

A big “hats off ” to the County Clerk’s Office and the volunteers at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center voting operation. Because of their exceptional efforts, it is organized, the lines move quickly, it is COVID-safe and volunteers are friendly and professional. Thank you for a pleasant voting experience.

Paul Cook Santa Fe

Value the natural world

“There can be no greater issue than that of conservation in this country.” This quote by Theodore Roosevelt is more relevant today than ever before. As a sportsman, I am concerned about the relentless assault on the laws, rules and policies that were enacted to ensure the health of wildlife and their habitats.

During the past three years, key elements of the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act have been bypassed to loosen restrictions that hold industries to a set of standards that ensure protections for wildlife. These bipartisan acts provide for a healthy environment that helps states’ outdoor recreation economy flourish and are an example of the fundamental value we place on the natural world. One reason New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment is because of its abundance and diversity of wildlife. We are fortunate to live in a state with a tremendous amount of public land used by residents and nonresidents alike. Hunting and fishing and other wildlife activities depend on stable rules and laws that protect the resource, provide public access and ensure a vibrant rural economy.

If we value nature, we must vote for a president who will reestablish the rules and laws that protect our wildlife and natural world, who will hire qualified individuals to oversee our nation’s natural resources, who will ensure our public lands are not privatized, and who will protect pristine public lands from development. I know who I am voting for.

Stephen Henry Las Cruces

A cult of personality

Drinking Kool-Aid. The president is apparently aware of this phrase. He used it in his conversations with Bob Woodward. It refers to the Jonestown cult, in which the members were compelled to commit suicide. I’ve been puzzled why his base seems to stick with him regardless of what he says and does. Perhaps this explains it. His 40 percent is a cult with Jones-like characteristics. They are so enthralled with their dear leader as to follow him to disaster. His lies are accepted as truth just because he says so. His cult may have even liked his childish tantrums in the first debate. Of course we can vote him out, but it’s harder to change a Supreme Court that is loaded with his appointees. A Democrat-led Congress will have to fix this. I have suggested establishing Supreme Court term limits so every president gets a pick. How about requiring unanimous decisions? Juries must do this. Why not smart jurists?

I’m thinking of voting by mail (early) to test the system. If it doesn’t work, I’ll join the uproar.

Bill Maxon Santa Fe

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