Letters to the Editor

Improve Douglas senior center

Editor:

I had occasion to frequent the Douglas County Senior Center for lunch. I was appalled at the dining room. It's like eating in a sardine can. The whole place is bursting at the seams. The efforts of Warren, Shannon and Tammy, plus all those volunteers who give of their time, are endless.

I suggest the county commissioners and all those millionaires who live in our beautiful Douglas County go unannounced to the senior center for lunch. The beautiful Carson Valley I knew 20-some years ago has turned into Californiaville.

You mean that efforts of those like Jethro and Big George can't be combined to give a new senior center to those of Douglas County, which is so badly needed? Or are we too busy making more money to see what is going on around us?

Mary A. Sment

Carson City

Dustman best

for Alpine judge

Editor:

This letter is in strong support of Karen Dustman for Alpine County judge. Karen brings to the table exactly the qualities we need in this county.

She has much stronger legal, academic and business credentials than her opponent.

Karen has more balanced and broader experience, not 25 years of personal injury law, which is based on finding someone other than yourself to "blame" and a win/lose mentality. Karen's experience includes a much more sensible approach of finding consensus and negotiating successful resolutions.

Repeating "high standards" and "integrity" as slogans does not make them true. And they are not true in Dave's case. It is extremely unusual for a judge to come out openly against another judge. Yet during Dave's brief time in office, he's managed to earn active opposition from not only one but two judges who worked with him on a day-to-day basis and saw firsthand what he was really about. It is very courageous of Judge Specchio and Judge Bradford to stand up and speak out in opposition of Dave's re-election.

Please vote for Karen Dustman. She brings quality and true integrity to our county.

Catherine Aisner

Woodfords

Valley Cruisers

seek help

Editor:

We need everyone's assistance in helping others. Raffle prizes, gift certificates, homemade crafts, woodwork, art, new boxed items, or good old cash won't be turned down.

A raffle drawing during the Main Street Event car show and competition, hosted by the Valley Cruisers Car Club, will be held Aug. 15-17 as a fundraiser for our wonderful local charitable organizations. All contributors will receive recognition on the event banner and in the newspaper. We will collect items any time up to July 30.

To arrange for pick-up call Jane at 783-9250.

Jane Cather

Gardnerville

Soldier: Thanks

for your support

Editor:

Hello, I am an American soldier serving in Iraq. I want to thank all the great Americans, both family members of service members and nonfamily members, for all the support you have given and continue to give us troops; it truly does mean a great deal to us. Just something as simple as a thank-you, makes our jobs that much easier. It is motivating and inspiring to know that people support and respect what we are doing.

I would also like to take the time to thank all of my family members and friends that have supported and continue to support me in all my endeavors. Words cannot express my deep gratitude; I am truly blessed to have each and every one of you in my life.

Being over here definitely makes you miss the little things you take for granted at home. Like not having to wear shower shoes in the shower, not having sand in everything and of course you can't beat momma's good old home cooking.

To Sherryl, Serwind, Heidi, and Carl thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for me, and for never giving up. To my nephews, Hazen and Gage, you two better not grow up too much before I get to see you again. To the Correales family, my second family, thank you all for helping me through troubled times and keeping me on my feet. You all have helped me become the person I am today and I am and will be forever grateful. I love you all and can't wait to see you again. Until then, keep a place in your hearts and prayers for all of us service members who have sworn to protect our great country and our freedom. I'll see you soon.

Spc. Tranell Wilkinson

Gardnerville

Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq

Being a war hero just one factor

Editor:

Is being a war hero enough to be elected president? In and of itself, probably not. If that is the only reason you would cast your vote for someone with a single point resume, you need to do some re-thinking about your responsibility as a citizen of this country.

To be eligible for the office of President of the United States, according to the Constitution, one must be a natural born citizen, attained the age of 35, and have lived in the United States for 14 years. Guess what? All the potential candidates fit the bill.

Don Williams, in his note to the editor, characterized John McCain as a war hero. Yes he is and so are these patriots in whose company John McCain would be proud to be included: George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Zachary Taylor, Ulysses Grant, Chester Arthur, Teddy Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and George H. W. Bush.

As to John McCain's record in the U. S. Senate, he has done more to reach across the aisle to resolve differences between the parties than any other member of Congress has.

Don Williams' characterization of politics as "the economy and who gets what" strikes me as somewhat cynical. The idea of "what's in it for me" leads us down the path of dependence on government for the things we should be willing to strive for on our own. Rather than going along with Don's concept, I think we must think along the lines of JFK's inaugural speech highlight. "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." Those words alone should be enough to compel us to assist those in need within our own community by way of individual volunteerism and charity.

In these times of stress and turmoil in the world, we need someone who will cut government spending (McCain promise), reduce taxes (McCain promise), reduce government involvement in our every day lives (McCain promise), keep America safe (McCain promise), and promote an atmosphere of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as intended by the Founding Fathers. So, is John McCain being a war hero good enough to elect him to the office of President of the United States?

No, but being a hero in addition to his stance on the issues and his commitment to resolving those issues is and causes the other candidates to pale in comparison.

Walt Nowosad

Carson City