Letters to the editor Oct. 12

Firefighters rescue

Carson woman

I just wanted to take a minute to say a big thank you to the Carson City Fire Department, who came to my rescue on Wednesday night.

I had gotten stuck in a brand new elevator and was trapped in there for a little while. Once the 911 call was placed, the firefighters were there instantly and had me out in less than 10 minutes. I just wanted to say how much I appreciated their help.

We have a great group of firefighters willing to protect and help us. I unfortunately did not get their names. I believe one of them was Mike Santos, so if you are reading this, I just wanted to say thank you.

Rose Stone

Carson City

Privacy gone when

you enter public

Recently an Appeal reader, Brian Brabazon, expressed concern about a loss of privacy with the new Vigilant Video License Plate Reader (VVLPR) system obtained by the Carson City Sheriff's Department. He also said we would lose more of our personal freedoms and be judged guilty until proven innocent.

Here is how I see it: You have no expectation of privacy while out in public. The VVLPR doesn't replace our judicial system. Citizens are not free to drive around with expired license plates or uninsured vehicles.

He also was concerned that deputies would hang out at intersections to catch those with expired plates and reduce the amount of patrol time. Actually this new system will increase the amount of patrol time, since the deputies won't have to call dispatch to check status of vehicles or enter the information into the Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) in each patrol vehicle as they patrol the city.

In addition, they will be able to check more vehicles during their shift than is currently possible. An unintended consequence of getting more unlicensed vehicles off the roadways may be a lowering of the cost of insurance, due to fewer uninsured motorists on the road.

The bottom line is this: if you are a law-abiding citizen, you have nothing to worry about, and if you aren't, maybe you should invest in a bicycle or a bus pass.

David Knighton

Carson City

'True Grit' program operates at no cost to state

A recent front-page story concerning Nevada's program for elderly prison inmates, "True Grit," was timely, given the recent 2010 Census report showing the rapid increase in our elderly population. There are, however, some additional facts about the program which the public should know.

First, the program is operated at no cost to the state, except for the salary of the administrator. Everything else - wheelchairs, durable medical equipment, program clothing, diversion therapy and craft materials - is donated by community organizations or individuals. As an example, the program recently received eight new guitars donated by a prisoner-rehabilitation group in California.

Second, a cadre of volunteers from local communities assist the inmates in carrying out the various program activities, such as creative writing, art therapy or veterans' peer support groups. As noted in the Nevada Appeal, the program has just been honored with the Elder Justice Award from Fordham University because of its unique and cutting-edge approach to the problems of aging in place in prison.

Thanks for sharing these issues with your readers.

William O. Harrison

Carson City

Give Nevada companies

a better chance of

getting work

Governor, do you know the work which is going on for the new freeway section from Reno to Washoe Valley? Did you know that the company doing the work hired 12 local independent truckers, owner/operators, four months ago to work on the project for the paving?

Well, recently these 12 self-employed owner/operators were kicked off the job, because Fisher out of Phoenix put on 15 trucks from California to finish the job, paying out more money to do so. That put 12 local drivers out of work. But never mind that, because being self-employed, they don't count towards the 14 percent unemployment.

Governor, didn't you say hire locals in Nevada? The now unemployed owner/operators have families to feed, and can't even collect unemployment. They were expecting this job to last up until the snow flies.

It's time to see to it that Nevada companies get the jobs in Nevada by giving extra weight in the bidding process to Nevada companies. I was an independent truck driver also, and you don't know how cutthroat this business is. Too bad a Nevada company wasn't awarded the job, and too bad it has to be lowest bidder no matter what. There have been three different out-of-state contractors on this job as it is. Get a clue.

The bid award process should be thoroughly reviewed, so that Nevada companies have a better chance of getting the work. All other businesses contracting out work should also strive to hire Nevada businesses.

Brad McCleary

Carson City