Letters to the Editor Jan. 16

Editor:

This letter is to clarify the action by the Minden Town Board on Mahogany Court project that was heard by the town board on Jan. 7.

The Record-Courier accurately reported our majority action to approve the project but failed to note that the project was within the newly allowed density allowed by the county commission when they changed the density for the existing zoning on the property.

The effort of the county commission action was to grant the project application and restrict our approval to the parking variance that removed three recreational vehicle spaces in exchange for regular vehicle parking. I hope this clears up any confusion those calling the town board may have.

Bob Hadfield

vice chairman

Minden Town Board

Editor:

It is understandable that Minden would encourage affordable housing, it is commendable.

Having said that, I believe that building them right across from Douglas High School is näive and shortsighted. It will be a really nice arrangement for future drug dealers to not only have easy access to the students, but the students will have to walk right past them to go to school.

Having lived in communities where planners believed that the problems experienced in larger cities would not happen in their beloved area, I feel that Minden has committed to huge future problems.

What drug dealer wouldn't find the arrangement appealing? Location, location, location.

Terri Beauchamp

Minden

Editor:

A very simple but heart felt thank you to all the kind and generous people of Douglas County that took Project Santa Claus kids to their hearts in this time of great economic difficulty. Christmas 2008 we helped 811 children from 344 Douglas County families, an increase of more than 150 children from 2007. This couldn't have been possible without overwhelming community support.

Project Santa Claus is a totally volunteer, nonprofit organization that just completed its 20th year of helping Douglas County families of need. We include families cleared for need through Douglas County Social Services, Washoe Tribal Social Services, the Family Support Council, CASA and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

We thank all that sponsored an angel off an Angel Tree, the groups, churches, clubs, businesses and individuals that sponsored kids and also bought new toys, games, new books, mittens and caps. Thank you to those that donated funds so that we could shop for the final kids that were signed up. Thank you to our local papers for the publicity.

Thank you to all that came out to the fairgrounds to help with wrapping, sorting, bagging and other tasks. Thank you to those that donated used bikes that were refurbished and to those that donated new bikes. We gave out over 175 bikes to very happy kids. Thank you to those that donated used winter clothing during the fall and to the gals that sorted those clothes and set up a shop at the fairgrounds where our families could take the warm clothes they needed.

Sometimes simple is the best way, so again we say simply thank you to all the wonderful people of Douglas County for their help during this Christmas season. May you each enjoy a new year of peace and kindness.

Marilyn Malkmus

Project Santa Claus chairwoman

Editor:

'Tis truly a puzzlement ... on the one hand, the incoming administration has proposed giving a check for $500 or so to every taxpayer who is then expected to immediately rush out and spend it on some new toy, thereby stimulating the economy.

On the other hand, Gov. Gibbons is planning to cut state employee pay checks by 6 percent ... so, after the fed's rebate, someone with a salary of $40,000 would be $1,900 worse off than before and most likely will pass on the new toy in favor of groceries. 'Tis indeed a puzzlement ...

John O'Neill

Minden

Editor:

I wanted to get a word out in the paper thanking Douglas Disposal in their efforts to help us at Meneley with our recycling. They donated over $400 in recycling cans and lids. The students at Meneley have been excited about recycling. I began this increasingly comprehensive program in September.

All classes watched a video on the importance of recycling. After watching, the third-grade classes made boxes for each of the classrooms to put their recyclable containers in. Once per week, I go around with a few students who sort the recycling (this is great, because these are students with special needs, and they learn a few important pre-vocational skills such as walking into a classroom without disrupting, sorting the recyclables, etc.).

At the beginning of the school year, our school recycled office paper and aluminum cans.

Now, because of our efforts and the help from Douglas Disposal, we now recycle: Office paper, aluminum, plastic, glass, and cardboard.

Our next on the recycling wish list would be to: have our recycling picked up (especially the cardboard) " getting a bin to keep the cardboard in, changing our paper towels to hand dryers (thereby reducing paper usage) " at least in the public restrooms on campus, making sure all water faucets are the automatic shut-off ones, using only washable plates at lunch- rather than Styrofoam (or if need be a better product than Styrofoam which is not recyclable at all), and recycling the milk containers from lunch. It's been a tremendous effort, but a rewarding one.

Thanks in helping me publicly thank Douglas Disposal.

Sheri Grove

Speech language pathologist

Editor:

This past election season saw a tremendous volunteer effort by all Nevadans. I know everyone involved volunteered for their candidates to make Nevada a better place. It felt good knowing you were working for a cause greater than yourself.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee is asking all Americans to volunteer their service on the national day of service. In 1994, Congress transformed the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday into a national day of community service. The president-elect and vice president elect are launching a national organizing effort to engage Americans in service. On Wednesday, a Web site went into service that will allow community service groups to list their projects and let volunteers select a community service. The Web site is at www.pic2009.org/page/s/DS1.

As Nevadans, we don't want to wait for the rest of the nation to get on board. Let's lead the effort and make the holiday weekend our chance to volunteer for our community. Our nation is in crisis, and volunteer efforts are needed now more than ever. Even if you can only give an hour of service, it will help our community become a better place if we all get involved. Service groups please schedule events for that weekend.

For more information, please contact Gary Kendrick, at (775) 230-1712 (cell), or at 267-3562 (home).

Paul Belt

Minden

Editor:

Have you heard? What a great idea. As a tribute to the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and the very real needs of our nation, President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden call upon all Americans to join others in local community volunteer events Saturday, Sunday and the Martin Luther King holiday on Monday, the day before the inauguration. While government has an important role to play in helping address the problems of our nation, there is a place for us to do what we can in our community. It's easy to find a volunteer event that suits your time availability by clicking on "find event" at www.usaservice.org and entering your zip code. Right here in Douglas County you will find: stuffing envelopes for MADD; a much needed maintenance project for Kids and Horses; dropping off food for Backpack Buddies so the most needy school children will have a meal on the weekends, and much more. Many volunteer events are family friendly. One event involves stenciling rocks and rewards volunteers with movie tickets and popcorn.

Please join me in this non-partisan opportunity for all of us to do what we can in our community. Sign up today at www.usaservice.org for as many evens as you can. Be sure to sign up on the Web site to stay in the loop. By the way, tell all of your friends about it. This is just the beginning. Never has it been more important for communities to come together in shared purpose to tackle the common challenges we face. I hope you agree with me, this is a great idea.

Melanie Meehan-Crossley

Genoa