Airport safety the
overriding issue
Editor:
Last week, Jon Hannan wrote that the airport manager and county manager are acting like a monarchy. This is so far from the truth. Our county officials are hired to do a job. Part of that role is to protect the safety of the citizens that live in Douglas County. Jim Braswell is just doing the job he was hired to do.
Every business is expected to operate in a manner that provides a safe environment for its employees and the surrounding community. When safety is jeopardized, the business owner is responsible. In the case of the fuel truck accident at Soar Minden, the business owner must be held accountable. Jon, you stated that the employee was told not to operate the fuel truck, and then he was fired after the accident.
If the fuel truck was in such bad condition, why did the owner of Soar Minden not remove the keys from the ignition or put a "do not operate" sign on the steering wheel? This fuel truck carries 1,000 gallons of jet fuel. The business owner is responsible for the actions of his employees. We are so lucky that this accident was minor when compared to what would have happened if the fuel truck had ruptured. This fuel truck operation was clearly an unsafe situation and put many lives at risk.
This is the fifth time the county has taken action against Soar Minden. All of these actions involved safety concerns. If the fuel truck accident is just swept under the carpet, will Soar Minden change their operating procedures? I think not. It takes reprimand to get the point across. Do we have to wait until someone loses their life? The airport manager and the county are doing their jobs. They are looking out for the safety of the community and all airport users.
Jon, you mention that the airport manager did not correct known safety conditions at the airport. Might I remind you that the airport manager and county just spent over $2 million to move a power line that intruded into the take off zone of the runway. They also just spent over $600,000 improving the taxi ways and traffic flows to accommodate glider operations. Much of these funds came from the FAA at the request of the airport manager and both of these projects were completed to improve the safety of glider operations. It is clear that Jim Braswell and the county are very focused on continued gliding activities and safety at our airport.
John Endter
Minden
Government should be
transparent
Editor:
Minutes for all public county meetings absolutely must fully and correctly reflect the substance of the meeting. It's as simple as that.
State law be damned, this is far more important than meeting some minimal standard set in state law. This is about integrity and transparency of our government. It is about citizens and county leaders being able to trust county records. At its core, it is about the confident and transparent flow of credible information as a vehicle of high quality government. What could be more basic and more obvious?
It is to their great discredit when folks start referencing laws or suggesting those interested in minutes should refer to the TV or audio records. If written minutes can't be trusted, they are misleading and worse than useless. No matter the reason, this leaves a nasty taste of "cover up," bias, incompetence, or lack of understanding of the profound importance of government integrity in record keeping. Douglas County government takes another one on the chin, and frankly, I'm tired of it. I want to be proud of my government and confident that they are properly serving their masters Ð the citizens.
I would expect that any government official, whether looking back on a four-year elected term or a 30-year administrative career, will want to be primarily remembered for their personal and professional integrity. I urge them all to view this controversy in such a context. Government must bend over backwards to build and maintain a proud record and reputation of integrity Ð visible integrity. This must be earned, and let me assure you that the government of this county has a long way to go in that department.
So, rather than squabble over this with a bunch of lame excuses, let's just fix it. As I understand it that's all that County Commissioner Brady and planning commissioner Pross were requesting. And next time commissioner Baushke chooses to review some minutes in search of guidance before a very important vote, let's all hope he can do so with total confidence.
Jim Herd
Gardnerville
Obama best
for president
Editor:
On Oct. 2, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., delivered a foreign policy address marking the five-year anniversary of his original speech opposing the war in Iraq.
In 2002, Obama warned that a war could lead to "a U.S. occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences."
This was just a week before the Senate's vote authorizing President Bush to go to war in Iraq. Hillary voted "yea."
"I don't oppose all wars. What I am opposed to is a dumb war. What I am opposed to is a rash war," said Obama. "...A war based not on reason but on passion, not on principle, but on politics."
How right he was.
I support Barack Obama because I want a president who has good judgment.
Obama is our hope to turn the page, restoring pride in our country and restoring the worldwide respect that we have squandered with bad decisions. The United States will be in bad shape on January 20, 2009, as we stumble along for the next 15 months of the Bush regime with a sinking dollar.
We have mortgaged our future to China to support the biggest foreign policy blunder in the history of our country. It's going to take someone with uncommon good judgment to pick up the pieces and restore our dignity and our worldwide reputation. Readers, get our country back on track by registering to vote Democrat - for Barack Obama in the Jan. 19 Nevada caucuses.
William Bandes
Zephyr Cove
Thanks for help with Candy Dance
Editor:
"Thank you" to all of the Candy Dance volunteers who once again made the candy-making and candy sales a huge success. To Bill for the loan of his refrigerated truck.
Betty who made all the peanut brittle, Sandi who set up our accounting system, Barbara for overseeing the divinity process, Lynne for signage and recording of product made, for our fudge makers Dick, John, Dave, Bill, Keith and Quincy, Carol for overseeing the packaging, the Red Hat Valley Chicks for being part of the packing, Douglas High School Key Club members for making candy, the men and ladies from Verdi, Reno, Carson City, Yerington, Genoa Lakes and Genoa for their tireless dedication in the six weeks of candy-making.
You are awesome and I am grateful for each and every one of you. My heartfelt thanks.
Marian Vassar
Candy Chairwoman
Genoa
'Hanging Tree'
support a boon
Editor:
On behalf of the Douglas County Historical Society, I would like to thank everyone who attended "The Curse of the Hanging Tree." The historical society made over $3,300. We hope you had as much fun attending the play as we did doing it.
We would like to thank the Masonic Lodge for the use of their great historic building, the Town of Genoa for the use of the Church.
The play would not have been possible without your assistance.
We would also like to thank The Record-Courier for the outstanding publicity. Without your publicity and photos, events like this would have marginal success.
"A very special thank-you" to the more than 40 individuals who participated in the play, your generous donation of time and energy is what made the fundraiser a success.
Your time was worth over $4,800, that the Historical Society can use as in-kind donations when applying for grants.
Sometimes we need to be reminded that this is truly a great community to live in.
Thanks again to everyone.
Laurie and Shannon Hickey
Curse of the Hanging Tree Chairman
Genoa
