Another gift from the New Mexico Rail Runner Express to city residents who live in the area of Zia Road, Rodeo Road, Galisteo and St Francis — a daytime storage area near Rodeo Road and Galisteo for Rail Runner trains. The storage area may store up to two four-car train sets a day that will require noisy compressed air to maintain pressure for the trains’ brake systems. In addition to the noise from the storage area, longer traffic backups can be expected, caused by the slow-moving trains coming into and departing from the storage area.

Oh, yes, I forgot to mention the wonderful daytime view people living west of Galisteo are going to have. Thank goodness, no more unsightly mountains.

Who do we thank for this wonderful gift? Our city councilors, the mayor, Mid-Region Council of Governments (operator of the train) or the New Mexico Department of Transportation?

Catherine Martinez

Santa Fe

Good coverage

I was pleased to see the front-page article by Staci Matlock on climate change (“Feds study how to cope with change in climate,” Dec. 19). The article was excellent and had citations to additional information. I hope this signals further efforts by our local paper to cover this essential topic, which will be affecting all of us soon, if not already. Being informed with accurate, comprehensive articles will help us be receptive to individual decisions regarding changes in our living patterns and will guide our interactions with legislators for wider changes that are needed.

Barbara Conroy

Santa Fe

Change of heart

Santa, sorry about the last-minute letter, but I’m afraid I have to rescind my previous Christmas list request. You see, I woke up Friday morning to the sound of my alarm, just like any other day. There weren’t any fireballs falling from the sky, or deadly locusts infesting the Southwest. Not a single shaky, shaky of our tectonic plates. Not even one hooded horseman galloped through our city that morning, indicating the end of days. Thousands were disappointed Dec. 21 that they still had to go to boring old work instead of play survivor. What color tie goes with the gray suit on the last day of civilized Earth?

No, the ancient Maya were not the prophets we thought they were. As a result, I will no longer need gas masks or an endless supply of imperishable Army rations. Save the apocalypse survivor kits for another day, and I’ll just take some snowman socks and a saxophone-playing, dancing Rudolph doll. Thank you.

Shon Johnson

Santa Fe

No new taxes?

Our governor ran on a platform of no new taxes. Yet, today I received notification from the Department of Labor indicating that my rate for 2012 will be twice what it was last year. And I’ve never had a claim!

Steve Hess

Santa Fe