Editor:
I'll be boycotting the election for county commissioner in District 1 on the November ballot.
In Nevada, commissioner elections are partisan affairs, organized around political parties, Democratic, Republican, etc. This plays out in some odd ways.
For example, if there are two Republican candidates for a commission seat, and none from other parties, then those two Republicans face off in the November general election in which everyone votes, regardless of party affiliation.
But if there is also a Democratic candidate for that seat, that forces a Republican primary, in which the two Republican candidates compete to face off against the Democrat.
Republicans have a registration advantage here, but there are enough Democrats to affect the outcome of a general election.
If I was a Republican candidate who had support among Republicans but little support among Democrats, and I was facing a Republican opponent with similar Republican support but also strong support among Democrats, it would be to my advantage to have a Republican primary, where my opponent's support among Democrats wouldn't matter.
In the District 1 race, Greg Lynn is a Republican developer with apparent ties to the Republican establishment here, at least based on the photograph in The R-C showing him celebrating his primary victory at the Settelmeyer home with other establishment Republicans.
It's my opinion that he's toward the pro-development end of the spectrum and that his support among Democrats is limited.
Dave Nelson is a Republican Realtor with seemingly weaker links to the Republican establishment. He was the object of attacks by fellow Republicans implying he wasn't a "true" Republican and was a carpetbagger. He was endorsed by the Sustainable Growth Initiative Committee and falls on the limited growth end of the spectrum. In my opinion his support among Democrats was likely strong.
Anje deKnijf is a Realtor who apparently works for Greg Lynn. She's listed on his Web site as one of two Realtors to contact if you're interested in his homes. She filed as a Democratic candidate in District 1 on the last day of filing, after the Republican field (Lynn vs. Nelson) was settled.
That forced a Republican primary, in which Mr. Lynn competed against Mr. Nelson among Republicans only. Mr. Lynn won, but not by much. Had Ms. deKnijf not filed, then Mr. Lynn and Mr. Nelson would have squared off in the general election. I believe Mr. Nelson, with added support from Democrats, would have won. In the circumstances I have a hard time seeing Ms. deKnijf as a serious alternative to Mr. Lynn. My personal opinion is that the principal effect of her filing was to disenfranchise her fellow Democrats in this election, denying them the opportunity to vote for Mr. Nelson, whose views likely came closest to matching their own.
If in these circumstances you believe Mr. Lynn or Ms. deKnijf deserves your support, then vote for your preference. But in my opinion this was an unfortunate (albeit legal and clever) manipulation of the electoral process. If you agree then I urge you to boycott the election in District 1 as a means of registering your disapproval.
And join me in voting for Doug Johnson and Nancy Epstein in Districts 3 and 5, to put us on the new course that I believe the majority, Republicans and Democrats alike, desires.
Terry Burnes
Gardnerville
Editor:
This letter is to respond to Brittaney Gordon's "There's no need to fear pit bulls." Eight years ago, my daughter found a pit bull puppy while hiking in the desert. Someone had left it there to die.
My daughter brought it home and incorporated it in with the other rescues that found their was to her.
In all, she had already four dogs of various breeds, one being a "Datsie," who was on her door step one morning, later giving birth to two pups.
All the dogs and one cat grew up together for seven years. They all got along great. One day my daughter came home from work and found blood all over the pit's head and face, her beloved "Datsie's" body was torn into pieces all over the back yard.
I have never heard of a golden retriever or beagle doing such a thing and was wondering where you got that information. Please beware if you get a pitbull, make it the only animal. I hope there will be other comments on this subject. I love dogs, have had animals all my life until the last few years. After our last dog died, I had an invalid sister and elderly mom to care for in California, so we decided not to have animals at this time, we miss having a lick, and a wag of a tail with all our hearts.
J. Quessenberry
Wellington
Editor:
In this time of war and with our economy suffering so badly, let us not forget during this election year about what we have to be grateful for. We live in a country where we are free. We are free to worship as we wish. We are free to bear arms. We are free to speak freely. We have the right to be pro-choice or not. We are free to vote. We have many freedoms that others do not. We are free because of the many Americans who have served to defend our freedom.
We are free because of these remarkable Americans who put their lives on the line to protect us each and every day. Let us embrace our freedom and be proud of this wonderful country we live in. Let us never forget our heroes, the military, who make this possible each and every day. I salute all of you who have loved ones serving in the armed forces. I truly thank each and every military branch for their dedication for keeping our country safe.
We must never forget our veterans, so I truly thank them as well. So let us all take time out of each day to remember those who protect us so selflessly and thank them for protecting this country we live in, and for protecting what we believe in ... our freedom.
Anna Bishow
Gardnerville
Editor:
The Sept. 26, 2008, Record-Courier contained a letter urging defeat of the continuation bond for Douglas County schools. The letter writer infers that taxes will increase as a result of the bond. That is not true. Regardless of the vote outcome, the tax rate will continue at the same rate; if it doesn't keep funding school capital projects, it will be vacuumed up by some other governmental entity in the county.
The letter contained an enrollment number. It is true that enrollment has declined in absolute numbers; however, with our schools averaging 36 years old and the oldest operating since 1909, capital improvements must be made to keep our schools safe and secure.
My house is only 14 years old. During that time, one of my two children has become an adult and moved away. His room, with modifications, is now my office. My household population has fallen by 25 percent but the house got a new paint job two years ago and we're planning for a new roof in the not too distant future. Our schools face the same kinds of challenges, just on a much larger and more expensive scale.
The projects to be included in the bond focus on improvements and updates as well as major maintenance. For instance, a part of the bond money would be used to bring our science labs in each middle school up to today's standards. Our students must pass the high school proficiency exam in science before they can graduate and a part of that teaching is the appropriate lab work. That means labs for the 21st century.
Businesses and individuals are struggling in this economy. Voting yes on the continuation bond won't change that either way; tax rates are not going to change. But, a "yes" vote will help prepare our kids as they leave our nests and become productive, taxpaying adults.
And my house will still need a new roof.
Cheryl Blomstrom
Carson City
Editor:
Clark County School District, showing wisdom apparently missing in the Douglas County School District, pulled their school bond for the upcoming election citing sluggish enrollment growth, the economic downturn and reductions in state funding. Superintendent Walt Rulffes stated "This is a fiscal integrity issue." CCSD school board president Mary Beth Scow stated, "We strongly feel we need to be good stewards of the taxpayers' money."
One would think Douglas County School District with a student population dwarfed by that of Clark County School District and shrinking in the last six years to almost the pre-boom era of the early '90s, would have the same consideration for its hard working, taxpaying citizens in this time of economic hardship for small businesses, families and its large population of seniors struggling just to make ends meet.
Shame on the Douglas County School District. This is one time you should have copied Clark County School District.
Cindy Carr
Minden
Editor:
Dean Heller, has spent his whole time in Congress voting, going along with President Bush and doing what he though was right for Nevada.
Well, today he turned his back on the country and Nevada.
Our country is in an economic crisis. Petty party politics where put aside by Democrats and one-third of the Republicans, but Dean Heller knows better. He believes in free markets and deregulation. The congressman failed his country because he put his political philosophy ahead of America. His action was not a profile in courage but that of a coward.
I hereby plead with the citizens of Congressional District 2 to vote for Jill Derby. She will put the interest of our country before politics.
Jerry D. Sullivan
Minden
Editor:
Act I, Scene 1. Just four days ago, RGJ's Anjeanette Damon gave both Congressional District 2 candidates the opportunity to take a position on the bailout. Jill Derby stated flat out her support of the bailout: "I don't think anybody can argue we have to do it, I don't think there's a choice. I think we have to support it."
Dean Heller indicated at the time he would most likely vote against the bill.
Act II, Scene 1: Heller votes against the bailout. And against the president; and against John McCain; and against John Boehner; and against his party line. "I cannot with good conscience put Nevada's taxpayers on the hook for the foolish excesses of Wall Street. This legislation will not help Nevada's middle-class families, small businesses or economy."
Act III Scene 1: Today, Derby tells the Las Vegas Sun's Lisa Macaro she now sides with Heller in opposing the bailout. Huh?
Now there's an acrobatic stunt across the stage which clearly exposes Derby as a disingenuous, political opportunistic clown act. Within four days of "I think we have to support it" she dons a big red nose and flip flops exit left. Nice try, Jillo. Don't call us; we'll call you.
Steve Lang
Gardnerville
Editor:
The government bailout of Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and AIG will cost us billions, according to news reports. A billion dollars, by the way, is equivalent to over 90 tons of hundred-dollar bills. Yes, that's 90 tons.
But some experts think the government rescue could be as high as $1 trillion. To put that figure in perspective, consider that the total value of all goods and services the U.S. produced in 2006, the GDP, was just under $13 trillion. That's $13,000,000,000,000 13 followed by 12 zeros.
How to wrap our minds around a number so huge? If dollars were expressed as seconds, a million (1,000,000) seconds would be 13 days and a billion (1,000,000,000) seconds would be 31 years. A trillion seconds would be ... 31,688 years.
This suggests the shambles we are facing, the magnitude of the debt being left to our children. (Because politicians"and we citizens"are too selfish or chicken to raise equivalent taxes, let's just stick future innocents with it.) There's lots of blame to go around, of course"the home-lending industry, banks, the Federal Reserve, politicians in both parties. But it seems clear that better regulation under the Bush administration would have prevented, or minimized, the financial meltdown. History and common sense suggest free markets operate best within rules"enforced rules.
The multi-zeros of national debt ($9.6 trillion) accumulated in eight years give me zero confidence that Republicans can fix this, especially when their presidential candidate admits that "economics are not my strong suit." Returning these folks to power meets the definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results each time.
By way of conclusion, let me provide a few more numbers with lots of zeros: 37.3 million Americans live in poverty, and 12.6 million children live in households where there often isn't enough to eat. There's trickle-down economics for you.
Post this on your refrigerator and reread it Nov. 3.
B.K. Williams
Genoa
EDITOR:
The board and committee members of Kids' Fishing Derby 2008 would like to express their overwhelming gratitude to all of our participating sponsors. Thanks to your community involvement in the 19th annual Kids' Fishing Derby was once again a great success as it still remains the biggest free derby this side of the Mississippi.
Thanks to volunteers Tony Alves, Ashley Anderson, Travis Anderson, Brian Andrews, Anne Arneson, Roger Arthur, Fred Asmann, C.K. Bailey, Lora Bain, Rebeka Bain, Sandra Bain, Bob Baker, Adam Barkley, Chris Bashaw, Mike Bashaw, Tristan Bates, Ian Bathgate, John Bigelow, Kat Bigongiari, Chuck Bonas, Pat Bouharin, Jessica Bradley, John Breuer, Kiki Broderick, Caleb Brown, Ralph Buscher, Tom Busse, Ed Byers, D.J. Calles, Diane Calles, Jon Calles, Samantha Calvillo, Crystal Camp, Colleen Campbell, Jerry Campbell, Terry Campbell, Zakary Campbell, Dick Canton, Melinda Cash, Teresa Cash, Bill Coleman, Tyler Creel, Cyndi Davis, Carl Denison, Sharyn Denison, Devin Devries, Sandy Deyo, Sal DiSalvo, J.R. Dixon, Justin Donat, Ken Douglas, Corey Dowell, Laurie Dowell, Randy Dowell, Carol Drummond, Mike Ebright, Don Ellis, Heather Ellis, Ben Emburg, Michael Falanga, Jack Folmar, Robert Fort, Richard Garcia, Patrick Glenn, Matt Glushenko, Tina Glushenko, Edward Good, Amanda Gordon, Brandon Granahan, Dale Granahan, Lisa Granahan, Ross Granahan, Chelsie Haggard, Shelby Halvorson, Austin Hamilton, Nanette Heathman, George Heeter, Christina Henning, Paul Hernandez, Emily Hewett, Jack Hewlett, Bud Higgins, Cindy Hill, Jonica Hintze, Josh Hintze, Nancy Hollenbach, Dick Holton, Drew Hughes, Katie Ivie, Kathleen Johnson, Linda Johnson, Aaron Jones, Brandon Judd, Dana Judd, Chris Karsemeyer, Tracey Scott Kiernan, Joe Kucharek, Pat Lahlum, Don LaPointe, Larry Larson, Dean Leatherman, Lindsey Lepire, Tim Lietz, Paul Logan, Mary Lombino, Rosie Lombino, Chris Lundy Jr., Jessica Lutz, Ashley Martin, Guy Martin, Pamela Martin, Dick Mattinson, Chris McBroom, Susan McDole, Fred Merrill, Joseph Cole Metge, Holub Mick, Kasey Miller, Mitchelle Miller, Robert Miller, Jeanie Missamore, Kasey Missamore, Katie Missamore, Kia Missamore, Holly Morrow, Loretta Muckel, Mark Munoz, Mike Munoz, Kevin Murray, Larry Nagley, Autum Newton, Sara Nielsen, Jerry Northway, Blayne Osborn, Danielle Osborn, Russ Osborn, Georgia Overturf, Dale Paige, Kevin Paulson, Kasimir Pawliszyn, Lane Pawloski, Hank Paxson, Frank Peralta, Tim Pettipas, Nick Philips, Olaf Pieters, Skush Poodry, T.J. Provost, Regina Ramirez, LeaAnn Randall, Dale Rasmussen, Mike Rebiejo, Kat Rempt, Mikal K. (Elder) Rex, Henrietta Ries, Dennis Robbins, Kathy Robbins, Brianna Rodrigues, Brittany Rodrigues, Tim Rodrigues, John Rodrigues III, Chris Rogers, Mark Rogers, Judy Saferite, Norm Saferite, Robert Schwoerer, Allen Scott, Ken Sharples, Robert Shawhan, Austin Shick, Vernon Shick, John Shrum, Allan Shull, Allison Shull, Dennis Smith, Chris Smithen, Mary Smithen, Paige Soares, Cole Sonnemann, Curt Sonperegger, Belina Spear, Spencer Stearns, Scott Storace, Kim Straw, Valerie Straw, Sam Suenaga, Jacob Swisher, Marty Swisher, Lorrie Tart, Steve Taylor, Donna Terranova, Denise Terry, Ryan (Elder) Thomas, Darren Thomason, Katelyn Thorman, Kelly Thorman, Chris Thurston, Alyssa Todd, Roxanne Tom, Tes Trier, Caitlin Tripp, Rebecca Trute, Bob Voss, Dave Wagner, Jennifer Wallace, Pat Wallace, Shawn Wallace, Austin Walrath, Ernie Walsh, Jay Walton, Kathy Weber, Ted Weber, Justin Weisinger, Vince White, Russ Wickwire, Dan Williams, Norman Williams, Christina Wilson,Tommy Wilson Jr., Tommy Wilson Sr., Marianne Wood and Susan Woodworth.
Pamela Rodrigues
Gardnerville
Editor:
Looking for something fun and exciting to do this coming weekend? Why not come on over to the Carson Valley Arts Council "Sneak Peek"event?
The affair will occur Saturday night in the old Copeland Lumber building on Main Street in Minden.
The building has been purchased by the council with the intent of renovating it into a performing arts center. The dinner and dance event is designed as a fundraiser as well as a thank-you to membership for their on-going support.
Bring your dancing shoes as the highlight of the evening will be Bobby Freeman and his Flaming Rockin' Piano.
While taking in the music enjoy the tasty treat of a western style barbecue dinner. Please join the arts council in helping turn the vision of creating a performing arts center in Douglas County into reality. For reservations and information please call 781-5200.
Doug Odell
Gardnerville
