Letters to the editor for Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014

Tax increase would pay for much-needed improvements

After studying all the available information on the eighth-cent tax hike, I have to admit I believe it’s a good thing for Carson City. I think the tax was 5¾ when I first moved here, and a lot has happened in that time.

Certainly the athletic center will bring tournaments and new events and that means money to Carson. That’s a good thing. The animal shelter improvement is long past due. I’m not quite sold on the $4 million price tag, but something needs to be done. The corridor improvements are needed to promote a healthy city. Some people may believe that just a few businesses will benefit, but the whole community will benefit. A community that looks respectable is respectable.

At this point I would say “build it and they will come,” except I’m continually reminded of the Pony Express Pavilion, so I won’t go there. I will say that the one glaring omission, besides the arts, would be support of the homeless, the hungry or the victims of batter or abuse. We shouldn’t forget those that need it most when were are doing these “feel good” projects.

John Walter Owens

Carson City

Carson City deserves more active promotion

The other day, my godson from Southern California called me to ask if I would send him a postcard of Carson City. He wanted it for his daughter’s class project. After going to five different stores, including the Nevada State Museum’s gift shop, I finally found one at the Chamber of Commerce. Of course there were plenty of Lake Tahoe, Virginia City, and Reno. Has our tourism authority decided Carson City doesn’t exist any more?

The McKeen car and the Merci Train were restored at great expense. Put them on display instead of storage. The Capital Building, when driving by, is hidden by too many trees. Sarah Winnemucca also stands in the entryway of the Capital. Of course the Nevada State Museum or the former Carson City Mint is quite an attraction. Why should the Ormsby House reopen? Who will fill the vacant rooms? We never see the tour buses that used to come to the Carson Nugget or the Carson Station. Carson City needs someone who will promote our town.

Nancy Sweetland

Carson City