Letters to the editor for Friday, Nov. 8, 2013

Solar power savings result of fuzzy math

I must confess I am confused. I just read the “Solar Power a Boon for Carson Schools” story and am having a bit of trouble with the math involved. The last time I checked, 300,000 times 10 would be 3 million. That would be the number of years it takes to repay the non-rebated amount that was spent.

I further see where the total cost was $12 million for the system. That calculates out at $12 million, divided by $300,000 in savings, equals 40 years. Forty years to pay back a system that has a maximum lifespan of 30 years. Correct me if I’m wrong, but that doesn’t calculate out in any new math book I’ve ever read, and certainly not in any old math book I ever used in school. Where do they come up with the claim that there is a 5-year payback? Add in to that the 9.7 million in rebates funded by us, the ratepayers, through a special fee and there (in reality) are no savings.

Someone made some good money off of this “investment,” but it doesn’t appear to have been the citizens of Carson City.

Gary Cain

Carson City

Prison museum would boost city’s economy

I read Glenn Whorton’s remarks about converting the old prison in Carson City to a museum. I agree 100 percent and even beyond.

We the people need to find funding to do this and if at all possible, a huge enhancement would be to add a railway station for the V&T train.

Right now the station to take this magnificent ride is a few miles away near the city dump. Part of the Alcatraz attraction in San Francisco, which was mentioned in the article, includes a boat ride. Ours would include a train ride.

Great tourist attractions always contribute greatly to the economy.

Tony Martin

Carson City