Letters to the editor for Sunday, June 21, 2015

A toast to fathers

Fathers, dear fathers, to them I will toast

Of course, it’s my father that I loved the most.

Now it’s been sometime, since my dad passed away.

Now it’s my husband, brother and son in laws

That are examples today.

Teaching right from wrong, coaching, it’s a fact

Watching our grades, so we kept on track.

Fathers teach by the way they live

Support and wisdom is what they give.

All the little things, we’ll never know

Guidance and love, so we’ll grow.

Your gifts are priceless

Is what I would say.

Thank you, dear fathers,

For your love today.

For my dad, Jim Collett, from his daughter,

Jenny Schnabel

Carson City

On energy resources, Millennials

I was pleased to read two articles in the June 16 Nevada Appeal. The article on the development of geothermal, a natural green energy product we have 24/7 in the state, indicated that there are models already in use showing excellent results. Our state has two other natural resources to use, the bright sun and the wind. If we capitalized on these three resources, we could lead the country in reducing its dependence on fossil fuels. And we would not need to fracture the earth for “natural” gas in a state with scarce water and a high potential for earthquakes.

The other article was on what the Millennials find make the best fit for them in a community. They are very aware of the effects of climate change and want a clean and safe environment in which to raise their children. The recent legislative commitment to improve our schools will boost their interest in Northern Nevada. With the business and manufacturing plans in the near future, there will likely be jobs to fit the skills of Millennials and help keep our kids in the state.

And if Millennials are looking for an artisan culture and outdoor activity, it seems to me, that Carson City is well on the way to providing just those essentials for their creativity. Our little city has a lot going for it, from the variety of fun places to hang out, to the ways to get involved in volunteer activities that serve the community at large.

Sincerely,

Linda Zahrt

Carson City

Resources should go to existing museums

Why make a museum out of the old Nevada State Prison?

Nevada, especially Carson City, has some of the greatest museums in the United States. Our State Museum in the old Mint building is a fantastic asset — showing what the Silver State was and where we came from. Our Railroad Museum is world-class: exhibiting rare operable locomotives and cars from as far back as 1875.

Instead of trying to do “one more” museum, why not forgo that dusty, dank, hot place where there aren’t very many good memories; instead putting the money toward supporting museums that we already have and enjoy?

Is it possible to take the available state funding and ... enlarge the storage and archives section of our State’s Museum — enabling the citizens of Nevada to enjoy more exhibits of our great state’s past?

Our Railroad Museum is more obvious — we have the only McKeen motor car in the world, and it runs! And we have not one, but two 1875 locomotives that are not only restored, but are also able to be steamed under their own power! Why not build an addition to the Railroad Museum exhibit hall that will protect these and other historic artifacts so they can be displayed and enjoyed?

There is such a thing as “too many riches;” can we forgo another new museum and instead concentrate on the two amazing museums in Carson City that need the state’s support and funding for all of us to enjoy?

Joel Kirk

Carson City

Humane Society caring in time of grief

Our beloved Chihuahua, Ginger, recently died. We were quite depressed and in need of information regarding disposition of the remains. The first place we went to was the Carson City Animal Services office where we were greeted by Humane Society staff. They were all so caring and helpful and went out of their way to sooth our grief. This is evidence to us that Animal Services is staffed by genuinely nice people who have a passion for animals and appreciation for people’s attachment to their pets. This bodes well for the future of Animal Services under the management of the Humane Society.

Randy and Vicki Grossmann

Carson City

Stop gambling on water

We are writing in response to the request noted on the Carson City Utilities invoice, asking citizens to voluntarily reduce their water usage by 10 percent, on top of the mandatory watering restriction.

At the Planning Commission meeting a few weeks ago, approval was given for a zoning variance to develop an 18-home subdivision off Hillview Drive. The project was approved to go forward, the result being an additional 18 new homes, the occupants of which will use a gallon or two of water over their lifetime.

At the same meeting, approval was given to proceed with the Capital Mall project. What we can’t appreciate is the development of a 150-room hotel. This equates to 150 rooms of additional people turning on the water tap. We are sure a study has been done that shows less than a 100 percent occupancy rate of the hotels/motels in Carson City. If a study hasn’t been done, perhaps it should be.

The problem we have is 45,000 more people in this valley than there needs to be. There isn’t anything to be done about that. What can be done is mitigate the damage caused by bringing more people to this community just for the sake of a dollar.

What the city planners, supervisors and city manager are doing is gambling on the hope the drought will break and all will be right with the world. While we realize Nevada is built on gambling, we would prefer not to have someone other than ourselves gambling on our future, especially when it comes to those natural resources needed to survive.

Hope A. Tingle and Jennings family

Carson City