April 10, 2024, Letters to the Editor

Prevent trucks from using Johnson Lane

Editor:

I am a resident of the Johnson Lane area affected by the proposed Painted Rock Mine. Though Douglas County does not have the authority to disapprove the mine on tribal allotment land governed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, it does have jurisdiction over county roads. Johnson Lane is such a road. We are asking the community to speak up and request that the Board of Commissioners takes whatever steps are necessary to prohibit Knox from using Johnson Lane to transport product. There are predicted to be upwards of 170 heavy trucks daily using Johnson Lane. And when Johnson gets too crowded, those trucks will use other side streets through neighborhoods. That means affecting Fremont, Stephanie and East Valley. This is dangerous, noisy and presents a problem for the county as to who maintains these roads. Property values are bound to decrease, and this means a decreased tax base for the County to use to fix Johnson Lane after years of heavy truck use for which it was not intended. It was only reinforced down by the business park, not up past Vicky. NRS 244.155 clearly states. “The boards of county commissioners shall have power and jurisdiction to lay out, control and manage public roads … within the county … and to make such orders necessary to carry its control and management into effect”.
It seems clear the county could take into account the impact on the residential community and enact reasonable measures for control to prevent Knox from using Johnson Lane as its preferred haul route. This would allow Knox to use the county maintained road at far less expense. Why should the tax payers and homeowners of the area subsidize the alternative thats least expensive to Knox? There are alternative routes back through BLM land that would not impact the homes and safety of the Johnson Lane area or other communities. This is of course more costly for Knox.
Commissioners, please step up and do the right thing and not allow Johnson Lane to become a major haul route for this mine! Who will enforce speed limits? Who will do snow removal? Who will resurface? Please make Johnson Lane unusable as a major haul route for heavy truck traffic and leave Johnson Lane the semi rural community we moved here to enjoy.

Terry Cuyler

Johnson Lane

Disappointed by courthouse proposal

Editor:

I am truly saddened and somewhat angry by the architecture of the proposed judicial building. We are a unique and friendly community. It's not like any other. The architecture of our public buildings ties our community together. We have always had respect for our history and that of our founding fathers. I believe public buildings have an influence on a community by tying the community together. When people come to visit or live here, they notice that common thread, because it is missing in their town. We hear positive comments about our public buildings.

This building totally detracts from our present public buildings and will stand out like a sore thumb. It also opens a pandora's box to future architecture in public buildings. We will become a mix match of buildings, no longer having that common thread. We will become mini communities like so many across America. It truly changes the emotional complexion of an area.

Those who have allowed this departure from our present architecture have no respect for our history. Shame on them! It is disgraceful that it has been allowed to get this far in the process.

Buildings are expensive. Isn't it worth it as this building will stand for many years and represent part of our community. People from other areas as well as locals will be using this building. They will notice and appreciate if we maintain our present architectural history. They will remark. The building itself is okay, just not for Minden. It could be great in another town, but not Minden.

People have such positive remarks when they enter our old courthouse, Minden Inn, Historical Society. The oohs and ahhs from people when they enter the CVIC hall gives you pride. Makes you happy to be part of Minden. The charm of our beloved old buildings cannot be measured. Their history speaks to us.

Even the Greater Nevada Credit Union and Community Center made sure they represented our area with their architecture. It was an important part of their thoughts and respect when building. This proposed judicial building will only detract from it.

Many towns have forgotten or dismissed their history. We are different. Let's not let this building be built such as it is. There needs to be a revision to compliment the other public buildings in our community.

Beverly Giannopulos

Minden

Thanks for supporting Kiwanis

Editor:

The Kiwanis Club of Carson Valley would like to extend a very hearty thankyou for the terrific support we received from Valley residents at our recent Ham Bingo event at the Community Center.

We would especially like to recognize Peter DeFillipo and his Company ABE Printing and Copy Service for donating the hams. Additionally, the following supported the event with generous donations of raffle prizes: Carson Valley Chamber, David Walley’s, Double J Auto, Douglas County Community Center, Heritage Bank, Les Schwab, Max’s Pet Store, Starbucks, Wink’s Silver Strike Lanes, and Raley’s. We wish, also, to thank the Record Courier for the great promotional coverage given to our events.

Kiwanis is dedicated to improving our community, one child at a time. Monery raised at this event will fund Douglas High Senior scholarships and other County child oriented organizations.

Bob Wellise

Carson Valley Kiwanis President

Genoa

Jan. 6 hostages?

Editor:

At the start of his rallies, in place of the pledge of allegiance, Trump now commands his followers to "Rise for the horribly and unfairly treated January 6 hostages." When they do, they become morally complicit in the 174 brutal beatings, gassings and tramplings of our brave capitol police officers that happened on that dark savage day. Even worse, they become accomplices in the 9 deaths that event caused.

This is not a bug, it is a feature. Trump is helping his less violent MAGA adherents to become more comfortable with the slimy, sticky feel of having blood on their hands. They will need to be very comfortable with it before the retribution and vengeance he has repeatedly promised can ever become our sad reality.

Tim Goldsmith

Minden

Not really a dictator

Editor:

In response to the writer who called Biden a dictator, I have to wonder where she is coming from. Most of the Biden administration’s accomplishments have been supported by Congress and have benefited millions of citizens. These were not acts of a dictator. They were the acts of a responsible President as opposed to the previous administration - remember “infrastructure week “ and Trump’s pandemic failures, which cost thousands of lives? Under Biden Nevada has received $ 2.7 billion and an additional $ 890 million in aid - both for dealing with the economic impact from Covid and infrastructure improvements. The US economy has gained over 15 million jobs and the unemployment rate is consistently low and incomes are up. Millions of student loans forgiven, and reduced drug cost is benefiting many Americans. As to the Supreme Court, it’s reputation is at an all-time low and for good reason. Lastly, there are more Americans insured under the Affordable Care Act than ever before. All good news.

R. Hafdahl

Minden

We’re paying for Israel

Editor:

Responding to a letter in the April 3, 2024, RC issue titled “King Biden”. Eileen Cohen questions the President’s right to share his opinion on what Israel should do concerning the conflict in the region, stating it “is wrong for our president to tell another country what to do.”

The reason our president has this right regarding Israel is because year after year the U.S. government gives Israel at least $3.8 billion in military aid (the current amount far exceeds that), more aid than the U.S. gives any other country. And as Israel's closest ally and supporter, we should be able to give Israel our advice and recommendations on anything.

Additionally, there are rules that go with military assistance provided by the U.S. Among them, title 22 of the Foreign Assistance Act stipulates the prohibition on aid to countries that restrict the United States ability to provide humanitarian assistance. The U.S. has resorted to ineffective air drops of aid into Gaza to address the growing famine and is building a pier off the coast for the purpose of delivering aid because of Israel’s well documented obstruction of aid trucks waiting to enter the Gaza Strip.

So, in addition to the U.S. currently breaking its own laws by continuing to supply military aid to Israel, taxpayers are paying for the weapons that Israel is using in Gaza and is also paying for humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza.

If you’re wondering how much of the federal tax dollars coming from our state and towns goes to pay for Israel’s military aid you can go to the website https://uscpr.org/ and review their US Military Funding to Israel map. Nevada: $36 million, Minden: $50,000, Gardnerville: $1 million.

I think this gives the U.S. the right to tell Israel what it thinks. Israel is free to ignore the advice [as it certainly does all the time] but the U.S. also has a right to withdraw the billions of taxpayer dollars should it conclude that it's not in the interests of the United States.

Elizabeth Valdes

Minden