Letter: Partisan argument doesn't hold water

On Oct. 2, Bob Thomas wrote a column endorsing Assemblywoman Bonnie Parnell's opponent, Jeanne Simond. The title of his column was "Sometimes a Partisan Vote is Overriding Concern." I thought this was an interesting heading because to my knowledge, Bob Thomas has never been anything but partisan.

I am certain that if a large asteroid as crashing towards earth at over 200,000 miles per hour and that in 72 hours all life would end as we know it, (including low cost year-round golf passes), unless Bob voted for a Democrat to divert the course of the asteroid (we'll call the Democrat Superman) he would undoubtedly say, "I'll have to think about it."

It is not surprising that Thomas does not say that Parnell's job performance as an Assemblywoman is poor. In fact, he states that she did a "good job for the most part." Instead, his reason for not supporting her is that if she is elected, Assemblyman Wendell Williams will be chairman of the Education Committee and will block important school reform.

This statement misrepresents the nature of the school reform legislation which has been passed by the Nevada Legislature. The two-plus-two legislation which allows high school students to receive college credits and high school credits for the same college class was sponsored by a Democrat and strongly supported by Republicans. Assemblyman Williams did not oppose this legislation.

The independent study law again had bi-partisan support and was not opposed by Mr. Williams. Proficiency testing and accountability was pushed by Republican Sen. Bill Raggio and former Gov. Bob Miller. This legislation received bipartisan support and passed after the usual amount of debate.

The charter school law was sponsored by two Senate Republicans and two Senate Democrats. This was a hard-fought piece of legislation, but it did eventually make it through Mr. Williams' committee. By the way, charter school legislation did receive public support from the Nevada State Education Association, which is contrary to the implication contained in Mr. Thomas' column that the "teachers' union" opposes all reform.

The reality is that educational reform is more a product of the Finance Committee in the Senate or the Ways and Means Committee in the Assembly than of the "education" committees in either house.

In the past, Carson City and the state have received strong support for education reform from the so-called money committees. For example, Chairman Morris Arberry, a Democrat from Las Vegas, was a strong supporter of the $5 million technology center at Carson High School, as was Speaker Joe Dini.

In short, educational reform historically does not occur by action of the "education" committees, but rather by actions of the "money" committees. Change in the educational systems occurs when there is broad bipartisan support of change and not as the result of the initiative of a single political party.

As to the question of whom to support in the upcoming Assembly District 40 election, this decision is not difficult. I know both Jeanne Simons and Bonnie Parnell. They are both friendly people who have raised their children in this community. However, this is where the similarity ends.

Parnell has a solid understanding of the problems facing this community, and she has shown the ability to fashion solutions to complex problems. Simons seems to have difficulty identifying issues and has an even greater difficulty thinking of reasonable solutions to those problems. In contrast, Parnell has been recognized as Nevada State Teacher of the Year and has proven to be an outstanding contributor to our state. Simons has no real resume and very little experience in public affairs. (If you doubt my analysis, I suggest you review the public access television debate of the two candidates).

There is no doubt we should retain Parnell, who has been an effective representative for Carson City. Thomas' suggestion that this election is primarily about educational reform is inaccurate and is not a reason for giving up quality representation in the Nevada legislature.

ERNIE ADLER

Carson City