Letters to the Editor for May 31

Commission shouldn't force wildlife issues on us

I know that this state faces much bigger problems than its wildlife issues, but animals should still be part of the agenda for humane and caring people in Northern Nevada.

The bear hunt is ridiculous, and is being jammed down people's throats by a few people who seem to be ignoring the majority. Is this a form of Democracy we have established in Nevada? We do not have a lot of bears or many bear problems, so what is the point? One of the (wildlife) commissioners who opposes the hunt said it's being done because "we can." Don't we get enough of that from Washington, D.C.?

Likewise with wild horses, we have people trying to eliminate one of Nevada's greatest natural assets. The Bureau of Land Management is only interested in cattlemen, mining and oil guys, and has said that horses are a nuisance and interfere with wildlife.

Smarter people know better, and we, as a state, have an obligation to make sure we keep these animals safe. We have not designated wild horses as wildlife, which they are, and if we did that, it would stop the ridiculous conversation about denying them water and other God-given rights.

I hope you are the kind of person I thought you were when I voted for you. Yes, let's fix the issues and help people, but can't we do the same for our wildlife?

I understand the commission is appointed. Maybe it's time for some new blood.

Steve Rose

Carson City

Warm Springs inmates deserve opportunity to become good citizens

Those of you who have read my letters to the editor in the past, know I write primarily about political subjects. This letter is more about a religious one.

I feel I should do as my Lord Jesus Christ commanded and that is to visit him in prison. Because of this, I have been a member of the Saint Teresa of Avila Catholic parish's Prison Ministry for the past 18 years.

Today I was quite overcome by a rendition of the biblical story of the Prodigal Son. I, being a father, felt especially like the father in this story, since because of not having the role model of a father, I felt I didn't do a very good job of being a good father myself.

The inmates at the Warm Springs Correctional Center were the actors, with the help of one of their own, who was a producer and director of plays in Las Vegas, gave a superb performance. My hat is off to them.

They expect to have future performances of other biblical stories. My fervent hope is that when all of these men are released from prison, they will be given the opportunity to become good citizens.

Neil Powers

Carson City

Curriculum is to blame

for education issues

Recently I read Jim Bagwell's commentary on education. It is clear that he, along with many are in favor of blaming the teachers for the quality of education in this country.

The state and country are now enforcing the common core standards, a new movement set out to teacher-proof education even further beyond the No Child Left Behind Act. Teachers no longer have a choice in what they teach, and now they're losing the choice in how they teach. How can we punish teachers for doing a bad job when the curriculum they teach is designed to be teacher-proof?

Let's consider his section on cost. After some quick math, he decided that at the cost of around $10,000 per pupil, per year, it costs $185.20 an hour to educate classes of 20 students.

First of all, most classes are pushed now to 30 students, and one must take into account the ultimate cost of education. Most students have access to around eight teachers, counselors and other administration, and there are facility costs as well as transportation. This then shows why our teachers are making less than $10 an hour.

I make more than that as a copy assistant for my college professor. Jim then makes a claim that most private schools would love to have that funding ability. Well, Jim, most private schools have tuition costs that well exceed $20,000. Why are we only spending $10,000 per student when the Nevada State Prison spends $23,615 per inmate?

Jon Holloway

New York City

Put City Center Project on special election ballot

I was surprised to read about the NV Energy increase slated for July 1. It is difficult to understand why they have to make up for the lost revenue because of conservation measures. If the installation of solar panels and making homes more efficient results in less electricity used, wouldn't that translate to lower production costs and eventually lower rates? I have a more efficient car with increased gas mileage, therefore I spend less per month on gasoline. It appears they want to have their cake and eat it, too.

On another matter, since we are spending all this money on the special election for the U.S. House, how much extra could it cost to put a question on the Carson City ballots concerning the upcoming City Center Project? The timing would be perfect, and it would be interesting to see just how much support there is for the project, and the proposed increase in sales tax. Just a thought, even though it didn't work for the V & T project.

Dave Aunkst

Carson City