Nearly three weeks have passed since Rose, Alyssa, Kate and my son Julian lost their lives on Old Las Vegas Highway. I believe that I speak for all four families when I say that each new day feels like the first one without our children.

This heartbreaking loss has been made more bearable by the generosity of many friends, neighbors and strangers. The support of the Santa Fe community has been a true comfort when comfort seemed impossible. My family and I have noticed every gesture and kind word, and each has been deeply appreciated. As I forever hold tightly to the memories and spirit of my son, so too will I always cherish the warmth and compassion extended to all of us by the people of Santa Fe.



With each new crash my heart breaks yet again. I know how it feels when someone driving on the wrong side of the road kills somebody you love. In time you can forgive that driver, but nothing fills the hole in your heart, the future that can never be. It feels hopeless because people will continue to drink and think they are OK to drive. The problem with punishment is that it occurs after the fact.

Yes, all those "theys" should do something, but each one of us is part of that collective "they." Many years ago I decided I had no need for alcohol. Congratulations to Peter Chang who decided not to serve alcohol at his restaurant located on the Turquoise Trail. What can the rest of us do?



Regarding "100 turn out to talk DWI deterrence" (July 7): Almost 20 years ago my daughter was involved in a near-fatal drunken driving accident. In addition, my son is a photography teacher at Santa Fe Prep and had both Kate and Alyssa, who died in the horrific crash late last month, in his class. I also live off of the Old Las Vegas Highway and was on my way home just a few hours before the accident.

The meeting contained many workable suggestions. However, one particularly annoying idea came from a woman who thought that young drivers should be required to display a large banner in the car's rear window that reads "Student Driver."

Wouldn't a permanent sticker that says "I Am a Repeat DWI Offender" be more appropriate and effective?

Perhaps she did not realize that the meeting was entirely organized by our teens, faculty members and the unselfish work of Sen. Peter Wirth. Please don't lay blame or guilt on the young drivers or their families.



The July 10 article, "Crash's trio of license lapses ... teens broke provisional rules" was blood-boiling. The story implies that some of the blame falls on the teenage driver, Avree Koffman? As the only survivor of the car carrying four others teens who died, I'm sure every day is a struggle, physically and emotionally for her.

We as a community are still mourning the loss of the four brilliant teens, not to mention the tortuous grief the families are enduring right now.

It is of very bad taste to be pointing fingers at the teen driver on, imaginably, the worst night of her life.

Let's try to stay focused on the real issue at hand here. New Mexico's drunken driving issues and some possible new restrictions for first-time DWI offenders.



How disingenuous! Lt. Gov. Diane Denish claims to have had no culpability in the present ethics scandals rampant throughout our state government, and now, belatedly, is launching an "ethics" campaign.

News flash: As a member of the current administration, her silence makes her complicit in the corruption. By not speaking up, she became just as guilty as those actively involved. She owed it to her constituents to blow the whistle years ago. Only when she's worried about her chances for being elected governor does she feel the necessity to speak! The people of New Mexico deserve better.



Regarding the June 19 letter, "LED traffic lights: What took so long?": I too support the use of LEDs, but with one caveat. Limit their light intensity to that of the current non-LED lights. LED on-off response time is much faster than incandescent. They come on very fast, and thus, when also brighter are a shock to those with light sensitivity and can help trigger visual problems associated with migraines.

Brighter lights will not reduce red-light running. They do cause some of us to avert our eyes. Many people now shade their eyes while waiting for the red LED lights to turn green, not unlike the reaction to glare from oncoming cars equipped with high intensity discharge headlamps.

If the yellow caution lamp had a large, embedded count-down number such as some crosswalk signals provide, the changeover to LEDs might save lives as well as money. But the intensity should remain the same as the old lamps.



Americans need the brilliant mind of Sonia Sotomayor in the Supreme Court!



I would like to sincerely thank Santa Fe County Commissioner Harry Montoya for his dedication and commitment to excellence in his position over District 1. He has been prompt and professional at addressing several concerns I have brought up to him. He is a true servant of the people with a genuine heart for the citizens of the Santa Fe County.



One plus one can total three or more. An example: I go into a store and buy two boxes of blackberries at $3.88 each; vitamin B for $9.86; batteries for $13.43; and Comet cleanser for $5.48. The pretax total is $36.53. But wait, I later notice that at the members' club warehouse store where I was shopping on June 20, the register concluded that the pretax total for these items was $66.78. I called and ask what could explain a $30.25 difference in a pretax sum. They say, "Bring the receipt in, and we'll refund the difference." What kind of an answer is that? I've heard that shopping at discount stores doesn't always save you money, but charging a customer virtually double what she owes goes beyond the pale. Buyers, beware.



Kudos to Dennis J. Carroll and The New Mexican for "Summer escape," the July 12 article on Camp Rising Sun. The New Mexico Children's Foundation has awarded grants to Camp Rising Sun for the past three years. This year they received the first Alice King Grant, a $7,500 memorial award in honor of our founder Alice King. We have watched Laura White (founder and director of Camp Rising Sun) as she has grown the nonprofit with enthusiasm and professionalism.

The New Mexico Children's Foundation has awarded more than $600,000 to New Mexico nonprofits that address the unmet needs of children throughout the state. For more information go to the Web site at www.newmexicochildrensfoundation.org.



Regarding the College of Santa Fe, Mayor David Coss is right to ask city councilors to vote yes at their July 29 meeting to issue $30 million in bonds to purchase
61 acres of college land. This is for our city's long-term economic gain, despite much short-term pain. Mayor Coss also is right to hope that Laureate Education, Inc., will lease the land for administering an arts campus. Laureate has a sterling record of running arts colleges in the black.



Regarding "St. Francis bike/pedestrian crossing tunnel gains backing" (July 10): Why are city officials considering spending millions of dollars that we don't have — while creating another long interruption of traffic — for a tunnel or bridge at the intersection of Cerrillos Road and St. Francis Drive? A far simpler solution is already available! Add a cycle to traffic lights that would "Stop" all vehicular traffic in any direction at the same time; during which signals would allow all the pedestrian and bike traffic to "Go" at the same time in any direction, even criss-crossing the intersection. I have seen this work in Denver and it is great! I'm sure voters would applaud.