Letters to the Editor, Aug. 6

Lynn's a developer

Editor:

Greg Lynn is a developer. He will use his years of insider knowledge and expertise for his own personal gain and not for the benefit of us citizens. A perfect example is in his platform on floodplain management as documented on page 3 of The Record-Courier's July 23 Political Primary 2008. He states "Do our property owners want to to provide a CLOMR and do a hydrology and hydraulics study to remodel their kitchens or build a shop or a mother-in-law unit?"

Lynn is well aware that his comment is a misleading scare tactic to dissuade citizens from supporting the proposed floodplain management ordinance. The current draft ordinance will only affect property owners if the assessed value of the improvement (i.e., remodel of kitchen, shop, or mother-in-law unit) is greater than 50 percent of the existing assessed value of building/improvements on their property tax bill. There is current discussion to further exempt property owners from the CLOMR and hydrology and hydraulics study if they are not increasing the footprint of their home. Furthermore, the cost of a hydrology and hydraulics study is nominal for such small impacts on the floodplain, and the county is working, right now, to find a way to lower this cost for larger development projects if it is mandated by the new floodplain ordinance.

The other instance where the floodplain ordinance would affect property owners is if they upzone (i.e., ask for additional residential units) on their property. This is what developers do. Greg Lynn's objections to the proposed floodplain ordinance is to protect his own economic interests. The proposed floodplain ordinance seeks to quantify the impact on the floodplain for any new (not existing, and therefore grandfathered) development. The provisions in the proposed floodplain ordinance are for the purpose of keeping all of our floodplain insurance rates discounted. The ordinance will also be used as a model for neighboring counties, thereby aiding the Carson Water Subconservancy District in their efforts to create a regional floodplain plan.

Lynn has worked with the county on many processes that affect the development community, but he has been protecting his own financial interests. I applaud his participation, but let's call it what it is, self-serving. That is why the Sustainable Growth Committee and Terry Burnes have endorsed my husband, Dave Nelson, and not Greg Lynn, for county commissioner representing District 1.

Go to http://douglascountynv.gov/sites/CDAdmin/docs/floodplain_ordinance-07-03-08. pdf to view a copy of the proposed floodplain management ordinance.

Jeanne Shizuru

Gardnerville

SGI group using sneaky tactics

Editor:

I am amused by the incredulity being displayed by the masses, at the purported slanderous, sneaky tactics of the Sustainable Growth Initiative Committee, the Garvin, Slade, Strugis, et al. After all, these are the same people that told potential signers of the petition to place slow growth on the ballot, that the entire Carson Valley would be paved over, if they did not sign.

I know, because I was one of the people asked in that very way.

Talk about your special interests. To borrow a phrase, "You can put lipstick on a pig and call it Monique, but it is still a pig." Anyone that thinks not in my back yard is not a special interest, please raise your hand. We are looking for a village idiot.

Rick Campbell

Gardnervillle

Call wasn't

an illegal poll

Editor:

I would like to reference Mr. Wiley's letter to the editor of July 30 claiming that my telephone call to him, on behalf of the Sustainable Growth Committee, was an illegal persuasive poll. My call to Mr. Wiley did not bear any attributes of any kind of poll. I was part of a group of SGC volunteers seeking support to elect Dave Nelson, Doug Johnson and Stuart Posselt for county commission. The use of direct calls, unlike recorded messages, gives voters the opportunity to ask additional questions.

For Mr. Wiley to infer that I suggested Greg Lynn had "underhanded dealing with the county" is incorrect. His letter certainly distorts the content of our telephone conversation. The phrase "hand in the cookie jar" was my reference to Mr. Lynn's history of applying for master plan amendments for his own projects. SGC contends that excessive amendments will unravel the fabric of our master plan. Lynn has asked for and received amendments to the master plan for himself in the past, and possibly will do so in the future. How can he then, sitting as a county commissioner, objectively vote for any master plan amendments, appropriate or inappropriate, for the benefit of other developers?

I understand Mr. Wiley will be voting for Mr. Lynn. That's fine. However, let me explain why SGC is endorsing Dave Nelson.

Dave Nelson became active in local land use issues in 2004 when the commissioners approved a master plan amendment realigning the proposed Muller Parkway to have it situated right next to his home in order to facilitate future development. This experience prompted him to co-found the Good Government Group of Douglas County, a grassroots organization that held town hall meetings to get community input on land use and master plan issues. He has served without any financial gain to himself.

Dave Nelson also attended all but two of the neighborhood meetings conducted in 2006 by the community development department in preparation of the 10-year master plan update. He was a watch-dog over the process, and meticulously compared all the proposed changes in the master plan text that would weaken the plan and unduly benefit developers over taxpayers. At commission meetings, he spoke passionately against changes that would weaken the master plan.

In December 2006, he argued against the ill-advised $24.7 million Riverwood redevelopment project in the north county. The substance of his arguments have been validated recently by the grand jury report.

In addition, Dave helped the Chambers family get a signal light at Stephanie Way in memory of their daughter. Dave personally gathered 1,000 signatures for their petition. Without his assistance researching the funds collected from developers for the light, the county could have continued their argument that there was no money for the signal.

SGC is working actively to elect commissioners who are committed to preserving Douglas County's rural character. SGC believes the community would be best served if Dave Nelson, Doug Johnson and Stuart Posselt are elected in the primary on Aug. 12 in order to qualify them for running in the general election this November. Please vote.

Judy Sturgis, co-chair

Sustainable Growth Committee

Gardnerville

Lynn the best

candidate

Editor:

Citizens of Douglas County, beware. The Sustainable Growth Committee and its surrogates are attempting to take control of our county government. By now, you have more than likely received much of their campaign materials touting their sponsored candidates for county commissioner in districts 1, 3, and 5. At the same time, they have demeaned and mischaracterized the intentions, platform, affiliations, and integrity of Greg Lynn, candidate for District 1.

The committee wants you to believe that our chosen candidate for District 1, Greg Lynn, is a local contractor and therefore cannot be trusted because of his affiliation with the development community. You should be aware that SGC has not challenged Greg Lynn on his platform, his experience as a businessman and employer in the community for the past 28 years, or his exemplary performance working for the county on special projects for over 20 years. Nor have they challenged his extensive knowledge of the master plan, growth management ordinance, water and flood plain issues, government regulation, and the multitude of economic issues facing the county at this time. They have not put forth challenges because their candidate, Dave Nelson, has virtually no experience or credibility with any of these issues in Douglas County.

We believe Greg Lynn's experience as a local contractor will be a great asset to the board of commissioners. His understanding and working knowledge of the growth issues and how they are impacted by the master plan and growth management ordinance cannot be matched by any candidate, Republican or Democrat. We also believe Greg Lynn's integrity separates him from the SGC candidates. He is not sponsored and funded by a special interest group as is his opponent. By his word and past performance, Mr. Lynn supports the master plan and growth management ordinance which he helped to develop.

The bottom line is that Greg Lynn's integrity is impeccable. That can't be said for his opponent who is heavily financed by the largest special interest group in Douglas County, SGC. So far, during the campaign, Mr. Nelson has admitted he only established residency in District 1 a few months ago so he could qualify to run for commissioner in our district. In addition, he has confused us all about his political party affiliation, originally claiming to be a life long Goldwater Republican and later admitting that he has been a registered Democrat, Independent, Libertarian, and now a Republican. In addition, at least one of Mr. Nelson's major supporters and co-founder of SGC, has placed phone calls to Douglas County residents besmirching Mr. Lynn's candidacy and character"this was done under the guise of "conducting a poll." So much for integrity.

We urge you not to be swayed by SGC's propaganda and contrived innuendos attacking Greg Lynn's integrity as a contractor. Please seek out the facts, affiliations of all parties, and the true special interest groups influencing this election. If you do this, we believe you will cast your vote for Greg Lynn, District 1 county commissioner.

Paul Fry, Millie Thompson, Roger Arthur, Roger and Pam Brekas,

Larry Plemmons, Tim Murphy

Gardnerville

Special interest

of the public

Editor:

Many of the letters critical of the candidates supported by the Sustainable Growth Initiative Committee have pointed out it's a special interest group. The committee is indeed a special interest group. It is a special interest group trying to represent the majority of the voters in Douglas County

Many of the letters critical of the SGI candidates are written by individuals with strong personnel or financial ties to the developer/contractor industries.

Those critical of the SGI funding of their candidates are either unaware or fail to accept that SGI funds come from its membership which is made up of a major portion of the citizens in the county.

The funding by SGI to their candidates is a matter of public record. The financial funding of their opponents probably will not be made public until after the election.

Those opposed to the SGI candidates have questioned their residency, business experience, etc. The residency question seems odd since many commissioners, current and former, have been very favorable to the builders and developers. The business experience also seems odd since most of the business experience of their candidates has been related heavily with the builder/developer/contractor industry.

The SGI candidates have business experiences in diversified fields and can probably offer a wider approach in solving problems. Many of the SGI supporters are highly experienced in a wide field of endeavors covering private and corporate business as well as governmental operations. They would probably be more willing to assist commissioners that did not have ties to a special business group.

The voters have to decide if the county government is to be "of, for and by the people" or by and for the developer, contractor/builder industries.

Sanford E. Deyo

Minden

Firefighters back Lynn, Johnson

and Olson

Editor:

The East Fork Professional Firefighters, International Association of Firefighters Local No. 3726, has proudly endorsed the following candidates for Douglas County commissioner: District 1 - Greg Lynn, District 3- Doug Johnson, and District 5 - Michael Olson.

As their campaigns near the primary election we feel the voters should hear why your IAFF professional firefighters support these gentlemen. Each of them has a proven record of service to this community.

They have served on your Douglas County boards, committees, and attended the county's leadership program. Candidates Greg Lynn, Doug Johnson, and Michael Olson are strong supporters of our county's public safety services and personnel; however, they have earned our endorsement because the are also not short sighted, single issue candidates.

Douglas County is in for a rough ride in the following years. Economic downturns, falling real estate prices, and the State of Nevada eyeing the coffers of the local governments ready to redistribute state sales tax revenues. These issues will adversely affect all aspects of your services, sheriff, firefighters and paramedics, education, and infrastructure. These will be the big picture decisions facing our county commissioners that will require experienced, intelligent, ethical, and well informed individuals that are willing to listen to our citizens and base their decisions upon what is good for the long term in the county.

John Bellona

President IAFF Local No. 3726

Connecting dots

Editor:

Lack of disclosure and transparency, and mischaracterizations of the position of the opposing sides to a controversy, are the norm in political campaigns. We see this both on a national and local level. It's amazing to me that by the end of the day the public is still able to sort through and, for the most part, separate fact from fiction. I still have faith in this process.

The Sustainable Growth Committee has spent a lot of time researching and advising the public on matters that sometimes are more obscure, but relevant, to their voting decision. Here is the most recent example showing that, at times, it is necessary to connect the dots to arrive at a hard fact:

In this case, the hard fact is that Brad Nelson, the president and CEO of Park Cattle Co. is also the vice-president of the Coalition for Smart Growth, a political action committee. Park Cattle Co. seeks a master plan and zoning amendment, together with a specific plan, to build over 5,000 homes in Carson Valley. Obviously, Mr. Nelson's involvement with CSG is self-serving.

In turn, CSG has endorsed and/or is seeking to raise money for the campaigns of Mike Olson, Blaine Spires and Greg Lynn for three county commission seats. Mike Olson presently serves as one of seven county planning commissioners before whom the Park project will be heard on Aug. 12 " that is also, coincidently, the primary election day. If you look around at Park Cattle lands, there are many political signs posted urging the voters to vote for Mike Olson.

To assure that a positive result for Park's project as well as the development aims of CSG's membership are achieved, CSG hired former state legislator, Lynn Hettrick, to serve as its political consultant in 2006. In 2007, Mr. Hettrick, through his private company, S.I.I., collected $33,000 for his services. He is still on the payroll judging by his present activities on behalf of CSG.

The large postcards recently circulated by CSG and by Lynn Hettrick actually disclaim any affiliation or support on the part of CSG of any political campaign of any candidate. Draw you own conclusion.

SGC is not claiming that any of the above information amounts to a violation of law " that's for higher legal authorities to decide if necessary. Rather it is emphasizing the need for candidates and any associated political action committees to operate with transparency towards the voting public. SGC and the candidates it supports, Johnson, Nelson, and Posselt, have done so.

It is humorous that SGC has been called "the largest special interest group in the county" by a recent writer when the record shows that a significant majority of the voters supported SGC's sustainable growth concept the first time around and still do. In that context we accept this sobriquet. Voters are special " they make our democracy work.

John H. Garvin, co-chair

Sustainable Growth Committee

Minden

Restoring our county businesses

Editor:

All of the Douglas County candidates for commissioner have professed that they will work toward bringing new business to the county. Well, our county's economy would be much better off if they would just work toward restoring the local businesses that we have lost during the last few years. Most of our county retailers, restaurants, financial institutions and other businesses are oriented toward seniors and retirees. While the senior population of the United States has been growing at an astronomical rate, the senior population of Douglas County is on the decline even though our county is economically and esthetically a great place to live.

Our current board of commissioners has successfully done everything in their power to make our county an undesirable place for seniors and retirees to reside. This can be verified by the large number of vacant houses in Douglas County which used to be occupied by seniors. To go along with this we have a corresponding number of unoccupied business establishments which used to be supported by seniors. Bring the seniors back and the business community will thrive again.

Spending the available Douglas County Capital Improvement Funds on expanding the jail and juvenile detention facilities instead of building a new senior center is just conceding that our county economy will continue to go downhill. When the economy of an area declines, the crime rate usually increases. Our candidates for commissioner should work toward eliminating the county's reputation that it is an unfriendly place for seniors and retirees to buy a home.

Paul Lockwood

Minden

Lots of Olson signs on Park property

Editor:

We've got trouble, trouble, trouble right here in River City. It starts with "T" and rhymes with "P" and that stands for Park. There are more "Vote for Mike Olson" campaign signs on Park properties than there are Park Cattle & Land Co. signs. Why? Because, Mr. Brad Nelson, the hired gun from Las Vegas needs Mr. Olson to carry his gun.

How? Mr. Brad Nelson, president and CEO of the Park Cattle & Land Co. is also the vice president of the Coalition for Smart Growth (did you know that?). He now has the money, the land and political power.

The Park Cattle & Land Co. is losing commissioners Baushke and Kite and no longer has former County Manager Dan Holler to carry their guns. In regards to Mr. Olson, have you been happy with his votes as a planning commissioner? Mr. Olson's signs say "it's your community." I think he means it's Park and Olson's community, not yours.

Have you voters ever seen anything in Las Vegas that you would want in our community? On a personal note, Mr. Olson told me "if it's good for businesses, it's good for Douglas County." Period. Do you suppose good for business means another Enron? $4.50 a gallon gasoline? More box stores? Low paying jobs?

Don't be fooled by Mr. Olson's campaign rhetoric, "it's your community."

Vote for Mr. Johnson, Mr. Nelson and Mr. Posselt. Together we can build a government and community that is truly of the people, by the people and for the people.

Carl Malkmus

Gardnerville

Choices are

clear in election

Editor:

The issues in this county commissioner election are crystal clear. It pits development community candidates against what I call the reform candidates. Development candidates think mainly in terms of residential, business, and industrial growth.

Lynn "more-taxes" Hettrick, a developer himself and paid consultant of the Coalition for Smart Growth, promotes candidates Blaine Spires and Mike Olson. Together with candidate Greg Lynn, a prominent builder, their mindset is growth is the engine of all economic activity. Not surprisingly, it also makes them rich.

Over the past 25 years the old-time families and development community sold land and homes to newcomers attracted by the mountains and siren promises that Carson Valley would always remain rural. They told tall western fibs. The growth ordinance on the November ballot which they helped draft provides for population growing from perhaps 45,000 today to over 100,000 in 25 more years. Imagine more than doubling the rooftops. Will that still be rural? Or a city of 100,000.

The good news is that newcomers are now so numerous they outvote the development community. Over 10,000 came just in the past 10 years. Newcomers voted convincingly for slow growth in 2002. They voted for weight limits at the airport. They overwhelmingly voted against every tax increase.

The development community spreads the gospel that a community can't prosper without growth. The truth is that past commissioners made so many monetary concessions to developers they curtailed the most popular county services this year to balance the budget, even before total revenues started falling.

Many an American community fully built-out years ago prospers very well without growth. It take a different mindset to find prosperity not depending on growth. It takes imagination. It takes community participation. The economy is likely to halt Douglas County growth for many years. Reform candidates Dave Nelson, Doug Johnson and Stuart Posselt understand that. They can introduce business practices to government, find new ways of doing things to lower cost of government while restoring library, recreation, and senior services, and servicing the community at large, instead of developers first.

Some development candidates complain loudly about contentious debate in commission meetings by those opposed to county concessions to developers. They apparently prefer to silence dissent. They should not need to be reminded that the founding fathers who brought the U.S. Constitution into existence fought furiously over every word and phrase. This country is unique in the freedom to dissent with passion. It should be nurtured even at the county level.

Reform candidates do represent a special interest, one that has been ignored for years. That special interest is you, the majority voter who supported slow growth, a small airport, and opposed new taxes. We have a rare opportunity to free county government from the shackles of development. Embrace it. Vote.

Jack Van Dien

Gardnerville

Allgeier not a member of SGI

Editor:

Your recently authored letter dated Aug. 1 titled "Growth also a Conflict" contains a gross inaccuracy about me that I am pleased to correct. You state that I am a kingpin of the Sustainable Growth group. That is simply untrue.

Fact: I am not now a member of SGI or SGC.

Fact: I have never been a member of SGI or SGC.

I quite agree with your conclusion regarding the Douglas County growth cap ordinance passed by the commissioners in July of 2007. This is a most critical issue for the residents of this county.

This is the campaign issue that in my opinion, and obviously yours, transcends all other issues. It is the primary issue.

From your letter, Greg Lynn is your obvious candidate of choice in the District 1 Republican primary. I have listened to Mr. Lynn many times. He states that he served on the committee that drafted the compromise growth ordinance which was presented to and debated by the commissioners. That he served on the committee is fact. However I have never once heard Mr. Lynn state that he endorses and supports the growth cap ordinance. Never once have I heard Mr. Lynn suggest publicly to the people of Douglas County that they should vote yes on the growth cap ordinance proposal that will be presented on the November ballot. And Larry, please don't think I am naive enough to believe your statement that each of the six commissioners running in the primary will defend the existing building permit allocation ordinance.

In the Republican primary commission races it appears that the field of six candidates is evenly split in their support for the growth cap ordinance. Three are clearly in support and three are in the opposite camp. My opinion.

Yes, I am supporting Dave Nelson for commissioner in District 1. Dave has many attributes that will serve us well should he be elected commissioner.

Dave has on many, many occasions unhesitatingly endorsed the 2007 growth cap ordinance. He urges voters to vote yes on the November ballot proposal concerning the growth cap ordinance.

Bob Allgeier

Minden

Why not use

Talbot's name?

EDITOR:

Years ago I was in Minden Rotary with Steve Talbot. He's a very nice man, a veterinarian and a long-time respected member of the community who is married to Jill Derby Talbot.

She has seen fit to drop his name when she is running for office. Is she ashamed of him? I don't know her political wisdom, but I don't think much of her personal wisdom.

Robert Bellemore

Minden

Thanks for help

Editor:

I am writing this letter to show my appreciation and thanks to the district attorneys office, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, the Family Support Council and Doug Bronzie

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office acted with professionalism and great speed when they were notified by Carson Valley Medical Center that I had been involved in a domestic battery.

I cannot express enough thanks for the professional, courtesy and time that Steve Schultz with the district attorney's office has taken to help me through this difficult time.

I also would like to thank Orita Keebaugh with Family Support Council who gave me advice and helped me with the necessary paper work that needs to be done with this kind of situation. Bronzie, what can I say? Thank you so much for all your help, support and for always being there for me.

I would encourage anyone involved in any type of abusive situation to seek immediate help from any one of these agencies.

Debra Young

Minden

We love our

Syncon home

Editor:

Our letter is in response to the recent letter that you published from John Danmann regarding his Syncon home.

We moved to the Minden area because of its beauty and because of its small town atmosphere with less traffic or congestion. We visited many different housing tracts in the area before deciding on a home to purchase. We chose the La Costa subdivision because we felt that Syncon Homes offered a quality home, at a greater value for our dollar than most other builders. We were also impressed with the number of amenities that they included as standard features in their homes.

Since moving in, a year ago, we have had some minor problems with our home, as you do with all new construction, but all of the problems were taken care of by Syncon Homes in a timely manner.

We are very happy with our home and with Syncon Homes.

Richard and Linda Checchi

Minden