Editor:
Many Douglas County residents, especially Sustainable Growth Initiative surrogates, would like us to believe that residential growth is the No. 1 issue impacting the upcoming election of county commissioners. While the growth issue has dominated the political exchanges the past several months, I believe there are more pressing issues that our commissioners will have to address.
For instance, the county's revenue stream is about to take a big hit. The economic downturn coupled with an almost certain decline in gambling revenues will cause budget shortfalls across the board. A necessary reduction in county services will result in much hardship and related criticism. An already "stretched" infrastructure will be further eroded. The business climate will get worse before it gets better " let's hope the domino affect does not cause massive closures, layoffs, and displacements.
The issue of managing and retaining the county's water resources will be a huge challenge for our commissioners. They must also be sensitive to the property rights of land owners. There must be a balance between growth and the inalienable right to profit from the sale or conversion of one's property. The county can't just say "no" to a property owner who must sell his/her land for subsistence or other cause "there must be viable options for all concerned.
Undeniably, the county must engage in sophisticated economic development. This must be done to ensure a diversified economy which can help sustain the county's revenue needs. The county must also work to strengthen and retain existing businesses, we can't ignore the needs of those who have been providing services and products to Douglas County residents.
To successfully address these issues, our commissioners must be well versed in their cause and effect. They must not be a one issue politician who is beholden to any special interest group. Ultimately, they must make decisions which are in the best interest of all Douglas County residents.
That is why I am voting for Greg Lynn to be our representative as District 1 county commissioner.
Because of his background and experience, Mr. Lynn is uniquely qualified to address the issues and challenges I have outlined. Most importantly, he has not aligned himself with any special interest group. Nor has he accepted campaign contributions from groups or organizations. This was by design so that he could fairly represent all the people of Douglas County without being conflicted by special interests. In my eyes, that is commendable integrity and ethical commitment, a rare commodity in today's politics.
I encourage all Douglas County residents to join me in voting for Greg Lynn, District 1 county commissioner.
Gary Thompson
Gardnerville
Editor:
Have you ever wondered why there are so many homes foreclosing? Why when walking down the street around every corner there are one to two homes if not more with that depressing sign "for sale."
Personally I ponder these questions a lot. I wonder if this is as bad as it is going to get or if we are in for a great downfall maybe not as bad as the Great Depression, but who knows? The people that we have elected to represent us hmm... I think it is because of them that our economy is in this position.
So many hard-working Americans around the United States losing the one place where they could really call home. The rates of homeless people have increased since the beginning of 2008 and are continuing to rise. Not only are our homeowners suffering, it is also you and I. Escrow companies and banks are laying more and more employees off. Unemployment is also at an all-time high which is one of the main factors for homes foreclosing.
So what do we do from here? It is my belief that the only way to grow and change is to elect someone that is going to bring about that change, also I think that the people that have brought about this economic misery will need to pay for their mistakes and not just get a slap on the hand for making us all suffer. In the future I believe that we need to select representatives that we know will do their jobs and pay attention to the problems we have now, and the problems that we could have.
So in the upcoming election, research who you are voting for, hope that they will do their best to help our economy and help our foreclosing crisis.
Janessa Ramos
Gardnerville
Editor:
We have all heard the saying "there are only two sure things in life: death and taxes," and just to prove that point, as the KIDS committee assures the voters of Douglas County that "voting for the continuation bond will not likely raise your tax rate," the Douglas County manager will be joining other rural Nevada counties in asking the 2009 Legislature for the authority to raise property taxes by up to 10 cents per $100 of assessed value, the same 10 cents the continuation bond has its hand out for.
Mr. Brown was quoted as saying in a recent newspaper article, "the county supports a higher property tax rate request because additional property tax could pay for public safety, health and welfare services. We support this request because the cost of these services in many counties is exceeding the available resources."
If the county is successful in raising property taxes, obviously approval of the continuation bond would go from "not likely" to raise your tax rate, to more than likely to raise your tax rate. By then it will be too late.
The KIDS committee would have you believe that their proposal does not cost you anything. It is a fact that they are going to get over $40 million from their proposal and we, the taxpayers, will be paying back, through taxes, $60 to $70 million including interest.
This does not sound free to me. In addition, their proposal involves issuing $40 million of debt in the middle of a national financial crisis. The KIDS committee's own Web site states that their proposed list of mostly maintenance projects "may be adjusted over time" which essentially says that we, as taxpayers, do not know what we are going to get for approving over $40 million of debt.
In the past, taxpayers knew exactly what we were getting for our money. This is not the right way to spend over $40 million of debt. Voters should reject this "blank check" proposal with its zero accountability by the Douglas County School District to the people who will be paying the debt back. Just plain and simple: This is not the right time to be asking taxpayers to vote more debt onto ourselves while we all struggle to survive in this declining economy.
Kathy Kawcak
Gardnerville
Editor:
I am a senior resident of Douglas County. While I no longer have children in the school system, I certainly understand the importance of a high-quality school district as it relates not only to my property values, but also to the quality of the young people it educates who we look to becoming productive citizens of our community, our state, and our nation. I am not one who thinks that the more money you spend on schools is a guarantee of quality education. But, I do know that without a healthy, safe environment in which to learn, our schools will not be in a position to offer the best learning opportunity for the children of our community.
The ability of the school district to continue to issue bonds in a fiscally responsible manner for money that can only be spent for capital improvements (those that would cost more than $100,000) while not increasing my taxes is a good investment in our community. The current School Board members and the candidates for open positions on the Board have all signed statements of support for the continuation bond and their commitment to being accountable to the community for allocation of bond money to improvements within the district.
I realize many are frustrated with the manner in which schools are funded, or not funded, by our legislature. However, we cannot wait for a legislative remedy to this problem. The district must act to raise the money needed to assure that the learning environment for the children of our community is the best it can be. The only way it is allowed to do that by law is to ask us, the voters, to vote yes on Question 2 on the Nov 4 ballot.
G. Sayre
Minden
Editor:
Open Letter to Whoever is Destroying Obama/Biden Campaign Signs:
After working hard all weekend to put up Obama/Biden campaign signs, we awoke to find several of them defaced or destroyed. This morning, I also find all of the yard signs in my neighborhood have disappeared. I have just one question for those involved in this ridiculously immature activity " what are you afraid of? A little free speech perhaps? That someone else may have a differing opinion than your own? Or that the mere presence of the opposing candidate's sign will threaten the election or your perceived control over it? Hmmm, I thought this was the part of America that your candidate so nobly defended.
It is noteworthy that your candidate's signs outnumber Obama signs by about 10-1, and have been left largely untouched for the several weeks they have been up. For someone who's campaign claims "honor" and "patriotic values" as its cornerstone, your "maverick" actions are not only an embarrassment to Sen. McCain, but are an affront to the very American values he claims to protect.
An honest and open debate about one of the most critical choices any of us will have the privilege to make in our lifetime is not only necessary, but critical considering the times we are living in. High school pranks at the local level and trumped up political diversions on a national one, (both boorishly executed and meant to destroy rather than inspire), will not stop most thinking Americans from making an informed and thoughtful decision.
True change, like democracy itself, cannot be brought about from outside intimidation. This painful lesson is one of many that the current administration, and seemingly its heir apparent, have disastrously failed to learn. "Change" is not a simple campaign slogan, it is aroused from within, and the change we need in Washington can only be brought about by a leader with the intellect, temperament, and proven capability to inspire it.
Many of us, yes, right here in little ol' Douglas County, believe that leader is Barack Obama.
And if you feel so threatened by that, my friend, perhaps you should move to a country where "democracy" is nonexistent and all opposing views are crushed by the government rather than a few small minded political thugs.
If history is any indication, once inspired, the will of the people can overcome dictators, tyrants, and the cruelest of violent regimes. I can assure you, a few bullies pulling childish political stunts right here in our own county will not dissuade anyone.
So, to those who attempt to destroy the Obama message at both the local and national levels ... you are wasting your time. The message, and the will of voters to embrace it, has already been delivered.
Debra Chappell
Jacks Valley
Editor:
It looks like we will be foregoing our preferred system of checks and balances. It looks like we will be electing a Democratic House, Senate and president. This will lead us to unchecked taxation and spending.
The difference between the Congress and the president spending like drunken sailors is " drunken sailors spend their own money. Sen. Obama has promised to reduce spending in the Department of Defense. That makes sense because the world is such a peaceful place right now and there aren't any ideologies that want to do us harm at this time. The Congress wants to increase spending on health care, education and low income housing.
Pardon me, but wasn't it the low income housing loans that lead us to this financial crisis in the first place?
Perfect: Three areas where it has been proven time and again that the free marketplace outperforms government programs, no debate needed.
Frankly, I'm looking forward to a Democrat-controlled House, Senate and White House because I love being told what's good for me by people that don't live like me or represent me. This might just be a great time to hide your savings and retirement funds before Washington finds out where you keep them.
Ron Landmann
Minden
Editor:
After watching campaign events of McCain's and Palin's, that incited the crowds to chant "Kill him and the terrorists," I wondered what Sen. McCain thought was our purpose of going to war. To bring democracy and freedom to other countries? Is it not that he thinks that America is better, because we are able to be different. To unite and be proud to belong to the greatest country, in the world.
As I read the Oct. 8 letters to the editor, one stuck me as being of the same dangerous theme. Veronica Videll of Gardnerville wrote of the right to vote for anyone you choose but be careful, Mr. Obama sounds like he is making a cult and might be in the same group as Jim Jones. "Be careful of the Kool-aid."
I am not sure that this was meant as a way to get people out to vote or incite fear toward Obama?
I do not want to live in fear of life or of my neighbors. Democracy means the will of the people. If McCain gets more votes, then we are to stand behind him. The same for Obama.
I also am ashamed of The Record-Courier. In the statement you put out for a letter to get into your paper, it cannot be libelous, obscene, or in bad taste. I question the "good taste" of Ms. Videll's letter.
I am hoping for all Americans to get out and vote for whomever they judge to be the better candidate. That is freedom. Exercise your right that many people, before us, fought for.
Remember that today, you might be in the "favorite group," but how about tomorrow? Be gentle and caring, we are all God's children, not just a select few. Get out and vote.
Suzanne Pupacko
Indian Hills
