If city can’t fill potholes, who pays the repair bill?

Who is going to pay for my all-too-frequent front wheel alignments because of the unfilled potholes at the Frank S. Ortiz Dog Park? Mayor Alan Webber, I am certain that the lovers of dogs who frequent the dog park vote. Terence Cady Santa Fe

Every means possible

Those in opposition to the AES Rancho Viejo Solar Facility have a slick website, “New Mexicans for Responsible Renewable Energy.” At its heart, it’s fear-mongering from people fighting clean energy progress because the facility will be located in their area. They employ apocalyptic language about the potential of dire plant accidents, such as catastrophic fire. Frankly, there is a greater risk of fire from the ash bin at the Eldorado transfer station.

This opposition is NIMBYism. An example of socioeconomic energy inequality is unfolding; those with the means only want the benefit of clean energy, but not any responsibility to own it. Confronting climate change by every means possible must be a collective community endeavor. Those who plant seeds of doubt for their self-interests imperil us all.

Al Reed Santa Fe

Wrong record

Mika Old is running as a Democrat in the race for Santa Fe County commissioner in District 4. In a recent Richard Eeds Show interview she disclosed that she only joined the Democratic Party in November. When pressed, she also confessed to having voted for Donald Trump in 2016.

I’m happy to welcome Mika to the party. However, as Santa Fe faces crucial issues, from a housing shortage to the climate crisis, we need a political leader with a record of standing up to — not voting for — hatred, misinformation and authoritarianism. Teresa Davis Santa Fe

Family matters

I am very impressed with the recent articles about senior living (“For senior living, independence a tough call” April 5; “Assisted living: The new nursing home?” April 5). I, myself, moved into one here in Santa Fe just two years ago. The issues you bring up are always on my mind. Family plays a very important role in determining what residents need, are capable of, or want.

I remember 30 years ago when my mother was in a facility needing assistance and the doctor told us she had dementia. We all said, no, not our mother. We were either not able to see it or unwilling to see it. Perhaps some counseling of children about their parents could be of use, just to be aware of a situation that can be fraught with bad decisions.

Eleanor Edelstein Santa Fe

Our failed former DA

For those of you planning on voting in the Democratic primary in June who may not have lived here during Marco Serna’s first bumbling attempt at being district attorney, you need to know his office did not serve the public well. The most egregious example was the homicide of city librarian Elvira Segura, whose decomposing body was found weeks after her death. According to her self-confessed killer, they argued, he slammed her head on the floor several times, shot her in the neck (and also shot her dog), left her in the blood-drenched bathroom, and later held a yard sale of her belongings. He stole her car, was picked up in Las Cruces, and then languished in jail, uncharged, for so long the judge had to let him go.

Missed deadlines, a revolving door of prosecutors, and “prosecutorial neglect” all contributed to letting the accused walk out of jail without being called to account. Clearly Serna has his sights set on having the public pay his salary again. His hubris in trying to parlay a stunningly poor record as DA into a congressional seat in 2020 backfired when he came in fourth. To end on a positive note, I suggest that he take his law degree, establish a practice, show that he can run an office and manage other lawyers, and develop expertise in some area of law. Then he could feel good about offering himself as a candidate for public office again. No coasting on a family name or tearing down opponents would be necessary. Valerie Frost Santa Fe