I am deeply saddened by the latest I-25 wrong-way-driver crash. As a former volunteer Emergency Medical Technician with the Eldorado Fire Department for 17 years, I was particularly troubled by the critical condition of 19-year-old EMT Vanessa Carrillo. I attended many horrendous crashes on I-25, N.M. 285, and Old Las Vegas Highway — all close to Eldorado. The volunteer fire departments often were first on the scene.

Because of its large population and proximity to these high-accident-frequency highways, Eldorado has for 10 years pushed for a sheriff's substation. Years ago, we reached agreement with a former sheriff on a substation, but it fell through when his term expired. The first motorist warning call came from Glorieta; the fatal crash occurred near the Cerrillos Road exit, so timing was critical. A deputy in Eldorado could have been on the interstate in minutes after the initial call. I-25 between Glorieta and Santa Fe is notorious for wrong-way drivers. We must have more nighttime law enforcement in the county, eastside.




It's essential to improve lane designations at Santa Fe street intersections. It's difficult driving here in traffic, looking for a certain address, and at the same time having to worry whether you're in the correct lane.

The only way to be certain that you can go straight ahead is to be in the middle lane. Otherwise, if you are in the right lane, you may suddenly find that you are forced to make a right turn; if you are in the left lane, you must turn left, even if you don't want to.

These directions are indicated by arrows painted on the roadway. Many of them are so worn as to be barely visible. Other times, when traffic is heavy, the arrows are covered by the vehicles. By the time you see them, it is too late to change lanes. In the evening they are really hard to see.

Only in a few places in town are there signs suspended from traffic lights at the intersection. I would very much like to see such signs at all intersections.




Why is it that I can drive from Los Alamos into Santa Fe on roads that have been maintained during snowstorms, yet once I get into town, our roads resemble an ice rink? Santa Fe's Public Works Department single-handily cripples our town every winter by doing the bare minimum to maintain the roads.


Demonizing success

Why this attack against people who have been financially successful in their lives? They are being lumped together as "rich" and demonized in the media. Each of these people has a different story. Generalizing their situations is bigotry.

Many have come from humble beginnings and have worked their way through school, educationally excelling. Many have worked hard, scrimped and saved, sacrificed, and led exemplary lives. Many have raised families that have shared their ethic and conduct, and gone on to more fulfilled lives. Many have started businesses that have created jobs and wealth for others. Many have given generously to their communities, churches and charities, of their time and money. To blanketly say they, the successful, are not "paying their fair share" is wrong. The American Dream is equal opportunity, not entitlement, to success. For those who have achieved it, great. For those who want to achieve it, it is still there.


Equal-op offenders

It's too early to gloat, I'm sure, but already the Republicans are showing their true colors, even before their newly-elected take office in D.C. By turning down the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, referred to as the Dream Act, they surely will lose the Hispanic vote. Certainly no gay person would vote for them if "Don't Ask Don't Tell" remains.

Holding up the New Start treaty loses those who favor a reduced risk of nuclear war. By insisting that the rich get a tax break, thus worsening the budget deficit, they lose many more (excepting the mega-rich). The attitude that puts destroying President Obama as a top priority can't help their cause. Hopefully, our memory of these things will last until 2012, so that they lose their edge in Congress and any chance at the White House. Sealing their fate will be a recovered economy and broad acceptance of better health coverage, already in progress.


Misguided choice?

In a flash of brilliance, Gov.-elect Susana Martínez hired Ed Burckle of Santa Fe to run the state's General Services Department. Burckle worked for KSL Services, a support services contractor for LANL, in 2003-2006, including as its general manager. KSL's contract was never renewed (and terminated early) with Los Alamos because, according to an October 2008 news report, "KSL routinely overcharged for its work, with taxpayers picking up the multimillion-dollar tab. KSL billed taxpayers for work not done and materials not needed and often charged more than 20 percent above the original cost estimate." Was this an act of conscious thought on Martínez's part?