Now is not the time for Udall to leave
While I am grateful to Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., for his decades of decency and public service and in better times would wish him nothing but the best in his retirement, this is not the time for him to leave. All those decades of service have resulted in a public servant whose seniority and influence cannot be replaced by even the best, brightest, most committed and effective member of his party; he cannot and should not be replaced during these perilous times. The barbarians are not just at the gate; they’ve breached them and overrun our institutions.
If ever there was a time for committed public servants to remain committed, it is now. I have no doubt Udall will continue to do good work outside of the political arena, but now is not the time for him to leave that arena — the most important work is yet to be done.
Susan Hayes
Glorieta
Find better long shots
I always expect a few long-shot candidates to decide to run for public office (“It takes a scorecard to follow these candidates,” Ringside Seat, April 5), but former CIA officer and author Valerie Plame? Really? Her few years in a narrow stratum of Santa Fe society do not qualify her to represent New Mexico’s diverse peoples and needs. What does she know about our Hispanic farming communities, our educational institutions, our oil and gas industry, our complex relationships with federal agencies and our indigenous peoples? I’ll vote for someone who has devoted a lifetime to New Mexico, not an inadvertent celebrity. Eric Wolf
Santa Fe
Sad to see
I was sad to read about the demise of the Prom Closet due to lack of funds (“Prom Closet suits up for formal farewell,” April 6). They provided a wonderful service for teens in Santa Fe. Perhaps if they had managed to include dogs or cats in their messaging, they might have gathered more interest and support from Santa Feans. Kudos to Rennae Ross for this program lasting as long as it did. Barbara Nass
Santa Fe
Support for deputies
My family and I recently had to contact the Santa Fe County Sheriff ’s Office to report a possible crime. Living in a rural area, we were happily surprised to get a swift response. Deputies Jeremy Duran and Kevin Miller were not only prompt but exhibited a level of professionalism, competence and compassion that was a tribute to the profession. They were the kind of officers whom I would be honored to serve alongside and am glad to have protecting my family.
In talking, I learned how thinly our sheriff ’s deputies are spread and how they are paid less than all surrounding departments. I urge all residents of our wealthy county to write their commissioners and urge them to support more funding for the department. In today’s day and age, with crime creeping our way from the metropolis to our south, it would be a shame to lose such great officers to other departments and decrease our public safety. Evan Rees
Santa Fe
Closing the gap
The American Association of University Women of Santa Fe wishes to thank Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber on his eloquent introduction of activist Lilly Ledbetter at the Equal Pay Day dinner honoring her, held at the Inn and Spa at Loretto the evening of April 2. Ledbetter has fought for equal pay for women for over 20 years. She was the victim of a 40 percent wage disparity while working for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. for 19 years. Her case was brought to the Supreme Court but was denied because of a technicality in the filing date. The very first bill President Barack Obama signed in 2009 was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. AAUW Santa Fe thanks Mayor Webber for recognizing the courage and tenacity of Lilly Ledbetter.
Jeanne Patrick
educational funds chairwoman AAUW Santa Fe