Letters to the editor

God Bless all who serve our country

Editor:

Jim and I had the honor on Sunday morning of attending the service for a true hero, CW2 Joshua Rodgers. We can't even begin to imagine what his family is going through now, but what a proud and courageous wife and family.

This young man proves that today's members of the military are truly special and unique individuals. But never forget, not only did Joshua volunteer to serve his country, his family, by supporting him, were part of his great sacrifice. When listening to all the wonderful reflections of Joshua's short life, it was easy to understand that he was a true hero and a great role model for the young people of our country.

God bless Joshua and all the young men and women who continue to serve our great country.

Donna and Jim Baushke

Gardnerville



Will of people

circumvented

Editor:

How is it possible that a law passed by the voters can be repealed so easily by Douglas County commissioners? It amazes me how the will of the people has been and continues to be circumvented by those in power and by special interests. Is this county re-creating the means by which laws are passed and upheld? On the surface it seems pretty subversive.

District Attorney Mark Jackson has told the commissioners they were on firm legal ground in the passage of a growth cap.

If that is true, then I would urge people to be aware of how easily your freedom to self govern has been eroded.

Having moved to Douglas County subsequent to the passage of the growth cap initiative. I have watched with disbelief as the governing board of Douglas County refused to obey the will of the people. Bad law, or not, they are bound by law to uphold it. They never did. It would appear they never had any intention of representing the people who passed this law. I have never encountered such a blatant disregard for law and the process of law. Even after a Nevada Supreme Court decision upholding the growth cap initiative Douglas County commissioners dragged their feet.

Deputy District Attorney Bob Morris advised the board that they can pass an ordinance that effectively repeals anything that the majority of the citizens pass. To that end, the board passed a growth cap ordinance that repeals the ordinance passed by a majority of Douglas County voters. Four people just told Douglas County residents that their power of checks and balances doesn't exist. Instead of writing a new ordinance and putting it to the vote of the people we are being told that the commissioners can undo anything they want. Our only recourse is to wage a legal battle in the courts.

Each little loss of freedom takes us one step closer to tyranny. Is this how we support our troops? By allowing four people to overturn a law passed by the majority of the people? A law upheld by the Supreme Court of Nevada? Do we tell these men and women who put their life on the line to uphold the freedoms of this country that these freedoms don't matter? It's just a little thing?

I, for one, am outraged by the behavior of the four commissioners who voted on this ordinance. Your disrespect for the voters of this county is unconscionable. Have the integrity and the courage to place this "better" ordinance before voters. And let that be something that you can live with.

Joan Costa

Gardnerville

Gardnerville no longer small town

Editor:

I have been a resident of Douglas County for over 30 years and a resident of Gardnerville since 1989. The reason I am writing is to warn my surrounding neighbors that you can no longer leave your doors unlocked and/or garage doors open. In the last 10 years my "locked" car has been broken into twice while parked in our driveway and two attempts to break into our home. A couple of days ago someone actually walked into our garage and stole our lawn mower- in broad daylight.

A couple of more steps and they might have decided to walk into our house while we were inside. I don't expect to get our mower back, but I do believe it's time to be more vigilant and aware of what is going on around us. Our "little" town is no more, but I'd still like to believe there are more good people than not.

Paul and Gina Sunshine

Gardnerville

Growth cap bad

Editor:

I have, over the years, watched the process of the impending growth cap, settling here from San Luis Obispo County, which enacted a 2-percent growth cap in the past.

As a local contractor at the time, I did not agree to this and as was foreseen soon transpired. Before the cap was enacted there was a flood of permits, work was good for the first two years of the cap, then as only 2 percent of the permits were available work became very competitive, which usually is good, but in the construction trades it becomes havoc.

The professionals can no longer compete with the "tailgaters" due to overhead, so they start decimating their crews, the unemployed can no longer find work, so they abandoned their homes or rentals. Rents plummet, foreclosures abound, superb stonemasons, coppersmiths, bricklayers, etc., all leave for greener pastures. Soon there becomes a hole in the number of skilled workers and the local economy takes a dive until the ban was lifted. It took years to restart the economy, the existing downtown areas became vacant and businesses moved to the cheaper and newer surrounding commercial units which were not affected by a growth cap. Good luck.

Rick Aarons

Paynesville, Calif.



Baer should try his luck in Vegas

Editor:

I'm overwhelmed. Seems like everyone in Douglas County is salivating over the prospect of Max Baer Jr.'s casino taking root here in Carson Valley; six letters of support in Friday's (June 8) R-C alone and scads more in previous issues. Guess I'm about the only one who considers this monument to a third-rate TV series an insult to our beautiful Valley. Oh, oh, I'm in trouble, I will now be scolded and reminded that "The Beverly Hillbillies" was a fantastically popular show; OK, yes, right on.

But please, please permit me to observe that, in our culture, popularity is rarely, if ever, synonymous with high quality, good taste or an enlightened environmental stewardship.

Much as I abhor the thought of this atrocity actually materializing, I propose holding a binding referendum on the project; with such wonderful community support, I'm sure Mr. Baer would be delighted. If, as he must now believe, a majority of voters are behind him, so be it. However, in the unlikely event he loses he must agree to pack up his plans and head elsewhere; perhaps to Las Vegas, where he can do no more harm than has already been done.

John O'Neill

Minden



Baer's casino a positive addition

Editor:

I wholeheartedly support Max Baer Jr. and his efforts to build a casino-hotel in northern Douglas County. It is the only thing missing in northern Douglas County.

I have been an income tax practitioner for over 35 years. Baer's casino will generate increased property tax, sales tax, use tax, alcohol tax, hotel room tax, gambling tax and general business tax. It will create hundreds of jobs but because it is on the Carson line there are lots of apartments, etc. available so Douglas County doesn't have to worry about housing them all in Douglas County.

Baer's place is part of a much bigger complex of several large and varied retail establishments. I already see northern Douglas County becoming a major destination for shopping. I regularly meet people who travel some distance and even stay the night in Carson City so they can do major shopping in Douglas County.

As for the oil derrick? Come on people-get real. Businesses need to have a draw. Cactus Jack's has the Senator waving at them. This isn't pristine wilderness we are talking about - this is vacant land, littered with white plastic bags, across the highway from two shopping centers.

There is also a problem in northern Douglas County where police radios have trouble with reception. It is called a dead spot. Max has already offered to place equipment on the top of the derrick (at no charge) that will end the radio problems for the sheriff. Max has also offered his electric billboard for use in the case of an "Amber Alert." (Let's pray we never need that.)

As for the Beverly Hillbillies being passé-I don't think so. My sister teaches in San Francisco. She did a poll of her 7-8 grade students. Every kid had seen the show often including those who had just moved from Hong Kong. The show is regularly seen in larger population areas and in foreign countries.

I urge the Douglas County government to give Max Baer the variances he needs to build his casino. It will bring in business and it is good for Douglas County.

There are some detractors who complain that the Hillbilly theme is lower class or terribly silly in some way. Get a life. All theme casinos are silly. That is the charm. People go there to get away reality - to laugh, be goofy, have a good time and park their brains outside.

One detractor complains that Baer's casino and oil derrick will lower his property values. I live just around the corner and talking to my neighbors I have learned they are a bit worried that their property taxes are going up too fast. It might price some buyers out of the market. On the other hand, none of them are complaining about being minutes from even more shopping and a casino.

Max Baer has aptly demonstrated that he is a good neighbor in his support of many local charities and the police department. He will be a positive addition to Douglas County.

Laurie O'Bryne

Jacks Valley



Thanks for help

Editor:

On behalf of St. Gall Women's Society, I would like to thank the following donors for their generosity at our recent "Best of Yesterday" High Tea: Danny's Ironwood Grill, Myrna Morris, JT Basque Bar and Dining Room, Carson Valley Golf Course, Park Cattle Co., Woodett's Diner, Killer Salsa, Rosy's Restaurant, Overland Hotel, Brake & Alignment Plus, Carson Valley Inn, Harrah's/Harveys Lake Tahoe, John Ascuaga's Nugget, Two Guys from Italy, Sabina Bye, Mechele Johnson, Mary Dinsmore, Marilyn Presti, Terri Raso, Trader Joe's, Barnes & Noble, Orchard Antiques, Miss Pitty Pat's Tea Parties, Sierra Nevada Trading Co., Sharkey's, Grand Central Pizza & Pasta, Pizza Factory, Northwest Martial Arts, Applebee's Bar & Grill, Carol Bennis, Mary Hayter, Jean Raso, Jon Park Financial, Fresh Ideas, Genise Inman, Lone Tree Gallery, Barone & Reed Food Co., Flawless Affairs, Mary Margaret Neibuhr, Frank Benevenuto, House of Orange, Kim Cozard and Sue Burkart of Brick House Antiques, Karen Campbell and Judy Bergandi of Chesire Antiques and Lisa Bomarito of Antiques Plus.

Molly Park

Gardnerville