Editor:
Hello all you faithful Douglas County TV viewers.
Well, we're almost back on track. Time is running short for the power brokers. For all of you who are comatose, the Hollerville series gasped it's last breath this past spring.
Dan Holler is appearing on another network, and we're awaiting news of a new series here. The pilot show is scheduled for Aug. 12.
Actors taking screen tests include Mike Olson trying for Kelly Kites' role. Mr. Olson has been a long time fan of Mr. Kite's and since they have the same writers they feel Mr. Olson's existing role on the "Planning Commission Show" should qualify him for a potential role on the new series.
Many viewers feel the new breed of actor like Nancy Epstein, Stuart Posselt and George Thiel screen test much better than Mr. Olsen and would bring a badly needed new face to the as yet unnamed series.
In addition, one potential sponsor wants all screen tests to include attention span and sleep apnea tests before committing to the show.
One insider states, "the director is saying no way can we screen test until we finalize the real plot and resolve the name for the series.
If we call the show "Park Place" do we cast the lead with the powerful patriarch and proven actor Doug Johnson or do we cast Blaine Spires in the role of a swash buckling Bruce Willis type swinging from casino derricks and chasing off the bad guys through housing developments.
Some coffee shop old timers are just plain 'ol happy to have the Hollerville series gone.
It was suggested that the new series could be called "Mr. Nelson Goes to Douglas County" by one old-timer.
He is further quoted as saying, "Dave Nelson would be great in a role like the late Jimmy Stewart in 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,' we need good old-fashioned folks who care about this community."
Hear, hear, old timer.
This reporter thinks all the Douglas County viewers should let the producers know who their favorite actors are and call the series, "Home Town, U.S.A."
Carl Malkmus
Gardnerville
Editor:
For a candidate who has opened a Pandora's Box of questions, residency and campaign contributions, just to name two, I am astonished by a letter to the editor explaining push polling in great detail from a group supporting that candidate.
And yet, Friday afternoon I received an out-of-the-blue call from a woman who identified herself as Judy Sturgis, co-chair of the Sustainable Growth Committee. She was trying to find out who I was going to vote for in the upcoming election. During the course of our conversation I mentioned that I do not support the SGC, as its methods are repressive, and that I intended to vote for Greg Lynn for District 1 commissioner. Her response was, verbatim, "Oh, he's had his hands in the cookie jar for years." Mrs. Sturgis, unless you have proof positive that Mr. Lynn has engaged in underhanded dealings with the county your remark fits the definition of slander. Has it occurred to you that Mr. Lynn has simply acquired enough experience dealing with Douglas County to be able to efficiently navigate the process?
I have read the article by your associate, John Garvin. If accurate, it seems that you have committed a violation of both NRS 294A 341 (1) and, more specifically, NRS 294A 341(2), which states "As used in this section 'persuasive poll' means canvassing of persons by means other than an established method of scientific sampling, by asking questions or offering information concerning a candidate which is designed to provide information that is negative or derogatory about the candidate or his family."
On Monday I will be contacting the Secretary of State's office to inquire about the procedure for filing a complaint relating to this practice. For me you have crossed a line.
Lastly, let me ask the voting public: why is it a conflict of interest for a commissioner to be a home builder but not a conflict for a Realtor?
Mike Wiley
Gardnerville
Editor:
A candidate who fails to audition does not deserve to become our next Douglas County commissioner. Neither Mike Olson nor Blaine Spires attended the League of Women Voters candidate's forum last week. We have few occasions to hear from the candidates before the primary, so why did they skip this opportunity? The League of Women Voters is extremely well respected and openly non-partisan.
Both candidates Olson and Spires, however, (along with all the other candidates) attended the forum sponsored principally by the business council. At that forum all of the questions were sent to the candidates in advance. Thus, all the candidates (and their advisors) had an opportunity to carefully craft their responses. No spontaneous questions from the audience were asked.
The League of Women Voter's forum, on the other hand, had only questions from the audience. Thus there was no opportunity to prepare pat answers. Quick thinking, analysis and judgment were required. Is this why Olson and Spires chose not to attend?
Candidates should be willing to attend all forums and interviews to give the public a clear a picture of who they are and the soundness of their positions. When they don't, it leaves you to wonder what it is they're afraid of. The voting public deserves more than a few large signs on Highway 395 to form their decisions.
Please cast your vote for those candidates who have clearly stated their positions and who have demonstrated that they are willing to devote time and energy to the complexities of the job. Douglas County deserves only the best.
Gretchen Walsh
Gardnerville
Editor:
As this election for county offices draws near, I find it interesting what groups are coming to the fore to recommend what candidates should be elected in the three districts.
The most obvious is the Sustainable Growth Committee. I believe this should be reworded as the Sturgis, Gavin, Slade group or SGS. They have picked the people that are most sympathetic to their views and have backed three candidates, Nelson in District 1, Johnson in District 3 and Posselt in District 5.
These people should be overjoyed at the demise of the housing market and lack of new building.
As a resident of District 1, I pass by Mr. Nelsons residence at least once every day. I see one or two parked cars, one in the driveway and one in the street, consistently. Is this a ruse to indicate residency or is someone really residing there?
I have known Greg Lynn for nine-plus years since buying in District 1. Unfortunately I was not smart enough to purchase one of his fine homes. He has lived and worked in the this area for at least 25 plus years.
I know Greg as a meticulous builder and he does not settle for anything less than perfection. Therefore, I encourage anyone who wants a local person to represent them honestly, to vote for Gregg on election day.
R.L. Kellogg
Gardnerville
Editor:
I am a long-time resident of Douglas County's District 1. In this election cycle we have two candidates vying for county commissioner, Greg Lynn and David Nelson. After reviewing a multitude of campaign materials gleaned from The Record-Courier, "Meet the Candidates Meetings," candidates' mailers, reams of propaganda from the Sustainable Growth Committee, endorsements from local groups and organizations, concerned neighbors, and the two candidate's web sites, I have decided to vote for Greg Lynn.
I believe Greg Lynn is the candidate who is best qualified, as demonstrated through commitment and performance, to ensure that the master plan and growth management ordinance are the driving force for managed growth in Douglas County. Mr. Lynn is committed to maintaining agriculture diversity and a thriving business economy in the County. He supports the need for effective law enforcement, fire control, and services for seniors and our younger population.
Greg Lynn is a 28-year Douglas County resident and businessman. David Nelson is a recent California transplant who admittedly only established a residency in District 1 so he could run for commissioner in our district.
Greg Lynn is a life-long conservative Republican which is important to me. I am not sure about Mr. Nelson's political affiliation. During his campaign he has stated that he has been a registered Libertarian, Independent, Democrat and "Goldwater Republican."
As a local businessman, Greg Lynn has hired hundreds of Douglas County residents who have provided a substantial revenue stream within the County. Because of his business experience, Mr. Lynn is acutely aware of the regulatory issues that impact the success or failure of businesses in the county. Mr. Nelson has no such experience.
As a builder, Greg Lynn has an extensive working knowledge of the master plan as it pertains to growth, water rights, flood plain issues, property rights, and all provisions relating to residential and commercial development. Mr. Nelson has no depth of experience with these issues in Douglas County.
For the past 20 years, the County has recruited Greg Lynn to participate in numerous initiatives requiring input and direction by local leaders from within the County's business community. Most recently, Mr. Lynn was asked by the county to participate on the committee that developed the very important growth management ordinance. During this 16-month task, Mr. Lynn's consensus building skills helped the committee in arriving at a mutual agreement that was difficult to obtain. Mr. Nelson has no productive experience working with the county on important initiatives.
Finally, Greg Lynn's knowledge and experience as a businessman, employer, and builder obtained here in Douglas County, will be a valuable asset to the board of commissioners. I am convinced his demonstrated consensus building skills will help in mediating the many difficult issues the county will face in the next four years and beyond.
Mario Giallongo
Gardnerville
Editor:
On July 9 our Douglas County commissioners approved the revision of the Minden-Tahoe Airport master plan on a 3-2 vote. Again, the voice of you, the airport's owners was ignored, even obstructed by an unholy alliance of proponents of the kind of growth you do not want here. Chairman Kite did a line by line defense of this plan, ignoring that only a half dozen copies were made available to the public and that slides of the presentation were unreadable to the public so that most of the attending public had no idea what was going on.
The majority of commissioners' minds were already made up and the pro-growth bias shown at this meeting was overwhelming. This special interest alliance must be celebrating after the decisive support they received from commissioners Baushke, Kite, and McDermid.
There are many serious flaws in the revised master plan but the most damaging item is that the P-3 Orion fire bomber has been designated as the "critical" or "design aircraft," that is, this huge 142,00-pound plane was chosen to drive the future airport build-out of the main runways, taxiways, and related facilities. It did not matter to the growth proponents that this plane was irrelevant to the overall plans for our airport. Fire suppression planes are exempt under the weight ordinance, they use only the main runway for the few months when they help fight wildfires around here, and they have their own, exclusive taxiway to their base facility.
Moreover, the P-3 Orion has not landed here for two years, since these large planes were replaced by much smaller single engine air tankers. Now, the revised master plan opens the door wide to "improve" most of our airport to be suitable for planes of the size of the P-3 Orion. The real "critical aircraft" should have been " at most " the Dornier jet that regularly brings in gambler's junkets.
During the public input, we were being pacified as before with comments such as "don't worry, this is not going to happen", "the money is not there", "the demand is not there", it is not economically viable. Then why plan this nonsense? Remember the commissioners' resolution of May 2007 that promised to protect our valley? The lies continue.
Even though specific construction of Pinon Aero's jet port was approved some time ago and is ongoing right now, the master plan fails to include any of that work or plans and fails to evaluate its -probably major- impact. Using a number of questionable arguments, the commissioners again failed to recognize the need to assess the environmental impact of the existing plans and ongoing work. As before, the actions of the Douglas County commissioners show a hurtful disregard of the interests of you, the residents and voters. Only their own personal agenda and opinions appear to matter to them.
Where do we go from here? May I suggest that we ask whenever we can each of the candidates for county commissioner really tough questions about where they stand and what future they see for Douglas County, the Carson Valley, and Minden-Tahoe Airport. Then, it is up to us to elect a Board of County Commissioners that honestly is willing to listen to us and act on what we, the voters tell them. That is the only way to end this charade.
Dieter Meun
Minden
