City tells teens to tidy up memorial

The City of Santa Fe says a makeshift shrine for the four teens killed on the Old Las Vegas Highway needs to be cleaned up.

[July]

I agree. There's a place to memorialize the dead: the cemetery! These roadside markers and what-not are an eyesore no matter where they are.

[Juan Velarde]

Descansos in NM are a moving tribute to a tragic accident. Let the kids grieve.

[Eros Salvatore]

The unfortunate part of this story is that it did not show how well the city and the teens have been working together to move the memorial. As the person who got the teens to call the city manager's office on Tuesday and set up the first two meetings, I think that the cooperation has been wonderful. The teens were given a three day extension to move the shrine and it will now be located on private property on the east edge of cathedral park until a more permenant site is found.

[Let their Friends Grieve]

Where's the trashy site photo that needs cleaned up KOB? Let us be the judge.

Otherwise let the teens grieve as they see fit.

[MichaelMichael]

July wrote:

I agree. There's a place to memorialize the dead: the cemetery! These roadside markers and what-not are an eyesore no matter where they are.

You're off the wall! Don't insult our mourners! These sites are sacred and there is a law against removing them!
Don't be a j__k

[skinwalker]

If there is no flying waste paper or other forms of contaminates, let the Teens alone. This is a very sensitive time for many who where friends of the the decedents....it will be tidy, but please, respect these teens feelings and appreciation of the lost lives...

[Just a thought]

It was in the Journal today that Albuquerque is currently working on landscaping the street medians. Given that APD are slackers and DUI in the city/state is out of control having more DUI deaths will actually HELP Albuquerque landscape the medians! Just think: little crosses and candals all over the place instead of drab rocks and tiny shrubs! It'll be beautiful! Drink up New Mexico - help decorate our streets!

[NWO]

We know what your going through as we lost some friends ourselves. Propaganda..

[dodger]

While I do think that the friends and family members have a right to grieve in there own way...there is a line which most young people and others pretend is not there when it comes to public demonstrations and/or monuments. There are responsibilities when utilizing a public space. While we grieve for those that were lost....life goes on. So if there is a more distiguished plaque or marker that could be layed, that option is much more suitable for everyone.

[Christian Heller]

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen,
Perhaps the mourners could download the form for a permanent sign from the State of New Mexico's Website here.
http://nmshtd.state.nm.us/upload/images/Traff...
The State of New Mexico DOT has a Memorial Sign Program designed for this purpose. To remember victims of DUI's.
I hope this helps.
Rest in Peace Kids.

[Dogwatch]

It was this group that propelled YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and the other things I don't fully understand If they want a memorial, let them have it.

As long as it's not blocking streets or sidewalks, what's the problem?

People in my age group can make donations. Kids their age can create. So let them have at it. My word, this was their peer group they lost.

[Karen Huff]

Memorials give people a way to express their grief and love for those lost. However, some hateful things have been said about the driver responsible. Venting may help, but if you choose to be bitter, it will only you. Use the memorial to express feelings about the kids and their lives and you will find much more comfort in your grief.

[Leonard from Rio Arriba]

So long as it is not a danger let these kids remember their friends. Descansos are a part of New Mexico culture.

[Tony Soprano]

I think the City of Santa Fe needs to back off. They have no right to tell anyone how to mourn loved ones!!! State Law prohibits anyone from taking down anything that is memorializing loved ones. Its part of our culture and history of our state, NM even names road and buildings after the dearly departed. Heck, even the City of Santa Fe names its roads and buildings after loved ones and it does so is a variety of ways, by committee or by doing it by decree. And, truthfully, Ive seen some of the memorials and I think they should be taken down too. So, before you begin throwing stones, keep your glass house in order.

[momofthree]

Maybe if it was one of the city councilors kids it'd be ok to keep the memorail up.
Any one who has lost a child knows this.
Back off councilors!!

[momofthree]

July wrote:

I agree. There's a place to memorialize the dead: the cemetery! These roadside markers and what-not are an eyesore no matter where they are.

Every lost some one close to you, by someones elses hand?? It's clear yu havent

[momofthree]

dodger wrote:

While I do think that the friends and family members have a right to grieve in there own way...there is a line which most young people and others pretend is not there when it comes to public demonstrations and/or monuments. There are responsibilities when utilizing a public space. While we grieve for those that were lost....life goes on. So if there is a more distiguished plaque or marker that could be layed, that option is much more suitable for everyone.

It just happened My GOD let them mourn!!

[Eltorro]

The roadside shrines are quite common in NM and can be seen just about everywhere people drive. Grim reminders that lots of people die annually here on NM roads.

The article pointed out that a lot of the items in question were just pieces of paper that were blowing away; nothing permanent.

There is a shrine just south of Santa Fe in the middle of I-25 that is 'decorated' for every holiday/event that comes along and has been for years. This is a permanant shrine but the kind the kids are leaving is only temporary and is spreading.

[Jighead]

Time is the healing antidote for ailment of the heart and mind.

The city should let them mourners express themselves for now. Months down the road the city can better handle this, as emotions dwindle and people get on with their lives.

Desconso's are a tradition that may be an eyesore to those that are in disagreement with their value to the living as a remembrance of the tragedy of their loved ones. They are usually placed at the location of the tragedy. Therefore, I would suggest that a more suitable location would be at the location of the tragedy and not the Cathedral park.

[Slim]

For a short time, I can go along. I see some that are YEARS old and that's too much. Permanent things belong in cemeteries, not on the side of the road. Culture or not, some of those things can be dangerous debris if hit again.

Not all of the 'culture' here needs to be perpetuated.