Letters to the editor Sept. 4

Sandoval should have ordered flags lowered

Regarding the lowered flags for our SEALs lost in a horrible war event in Afghanistan, Gov. Brian Sandoval refused to have the American flags flying in Nevada lowered in recognition of that utterly tragic event because President Barack Obama didn't order it across the country and none of the SEALs was from Nevada.

I cannot think of two more stupid reasons to deny the SEALs their deserved recognition, honor and thanks, by lowering our flags, than both of the above reasons. In my mind it is beyond belief.

I join in Jessi Winchester's decision never to vote for Mr. Sandoval again. And I will actively encourage all my friends and neighbors to do likewise. Think about it: two utterly stupid reasons.

What other things won't he do for our state because Obama hasn't already done it elsewhere?

Larry McFarland

Genoa

Let 'scary' City Center project go to a vote

Ursula Carlson, your commentary titled "When is the time ever right?" about the City Center Project was amusing at best. Is that your only comparison - comparing a $49 million project with dying and being born and joblessness? The time is right when we have the tangible money to move forward on this project.

We are paying $37 million for a library and parking garage that we are not in desperate need of. The library updated all its computers and paved a new parking lot, only to want to spend $37 million the city doesn't have to move it two blocks.

By the time the library (foundation) raises $10 million for this project, it would probably be close to a year, so let it go to a vote. What are you afraid of? Then the naysayers of this project could put their tails between their legs and walk away, losing fair and square.

To the board members who thought one way but reluctantly voted for the project anyway, all I can say is, how convenient. What spineless representation!

I have one word for this project the way it is going now: scary.

Sunni Enciso

Carson City

Nevada really isn't a right-to-work state

Is Nevada a right-to-work state? From what I have experienced, I would have to say no to that, simply because of the laws surrounding certain ex-felons.

The moment businesses were allowed to turn people down for jobs because of record status was the day the right-to-work principle ended.

I can understand the grudge held against those who have been charged with multiple pedophilia and rape charges, but why hold that same grudge toward everyone? Not all ex-felons think like they do.

I'm 53 years old, a hard worker and an ex-felon from a drug charge, who has been trying very hard to find a job, but I never get any callbacks. All I am getting is discouraged.

So, a few of us made some bad decisions; does that mean that (we) should pay for it for the rest of our lives? What are we supposed to do, just lie down and die? We, too, have to eat, pay bills and take care of our children just like a lot of people do.

These days, staffing agencies are about the worst places to look for work. If you're an ex-felon, most of them will even tell you not to bother, because their company policy forbids them to place you.

A person can't pay their debt to society when society doesn't give them a chance. So when does the payment stop and the right to work again start?

Donald Paetz

Carson City

Nevada needs to change the way it does business

Nevada's economy is stagnant, and the truth is, its future does not look very good, which is something our governor is not going to tell you. Like most Nevada lawmakers, he is hoping Nevada's economy will somehow pull a rabbit out of the hat and miraculously recover. Well, folks, I am sorry to say there is no chance of that happening if Nevada continues down its stereotypical path of doing business as usual.

I sent an economic stimulus plan to our governor that would, in my opinion, create an additional $2 billion for our state's two-year budget without raising taxes or fees, and attract industry to our state by the trainload in the process.

It would require Nevadans to accept politically controversial changes such as accepting nuclear waste, but under our conditions; the legalization of a highly regulated marijuana market; accepting major changes to our university system; reforming legal prostitution; transforming our prison system into a self-sufficient system that actually makes money; rescinding tobacco laws; reforming mining laws; accepting immigration reform; and accepting a new pension program for all working Nevadans at a cost of $20 per month per worker.

It's designed to bring industry to our state along with energy independence and a lot more. I believe my ideas would cause real estate values in Nevada to shoot through the roof and for Nevada's unemployment rate to be at 6 percent within two years. Please call Sandoval and tell him to hear me out.

James R. Parker

Dayton

Carson needs to clean up community together

We moved here for the small-town feeling, the proximity to Lake Tahoe, and the amenities Reno offers. Carson has made some improvements, but something that has not changed is the litter, waste and trash. It is everywhere. We have a total of eight freeway ramps lined with it. It's in people's yards, in the streets, on our trails, at businesses lots and our shopping centers. You cannot avoid it.

Homeowners and business owners need to pitch in and pick up the water bottles, the cups or the plastic bags flapping in the wind. We all would agree that it is a different world out there, so decent folks must do more. Show some pride in our town, make the effort and pick it up.

Graffiti is now becoming a big and unsightly problem. How about patrolling the known hot spots? It also concerns me that visitors and prospective new residents notice Carson City's flaws. Perhaps, like me, they see all the trash, the graffiti, the excrement and unsightly weeds, and choose to visit or move elsewhere.

Taxpayers, homeowners, business owners and visitors deserve better. Everyone needs to do their part. I know I do. As a community, we can work together and be proud of our clean and beautiful town.

Gabriela Fasnacht

Carson City

Wild horse regulation raises questions

I have a question on the regulation that you were kind enough to give me. I have read it through several times and I cannot find anything that makes it mandatory for the horses that are picked up on private land to be transported and then housed in a holding facility in another county. The regulation reads:

"Upon written request from the private landowner to any representative of the Bureau of Land Management, the authorized officer shall remove the stray wild horses and burros from private lands as soon as practicable."

You could simply show up, gather them and herd them back onto BLM land, and you would have done your job per the regulation. Why don't you do that instead of gathering them and transporting them and then maintaining and feeding them forever? It makes financial sense for the agency and the taxpayer.

The Deer Run Wild Horse Preservation group is studying the regulations and laws on how things should be done, and is willing to cooperate with you and help solve the problem if you put us in the loop prior to going out and setting up pens and taking away horses, which has been the standard practice lately.

We are going to be proactive, and we will save our little herd from being eliminated from our area. If you would like to get together and discuss this, please call me and I will inform our group so they may participate.

Steve Rose

Deer Run Wild Horse Preservation

Carson City