Letters to the editor for Sunday, April 3, 2016

The Nevada Appeal is accepting poems about spring, no more than 100 words in length, through Wednesday, April 6. Email poems to editor@nevadaappeal.com, or fax them to 775-887-2420, or mail them to the Nevada Appeal, 580 Mallory Way, Carson City NV 89701. Poems will be printed on Sunday, April 10.

School voucher law is disastrous mistake

Regarding the school voucher debacle, more than 4,000 families have filed applications to receive up to $5,100 to send their kids to religious schools. More than $20,000,000 of public school funding taken away from our public school system for religious purposes. Governor, you owe us an explanation. As well as Treasurer Dan Schwartz, who is chomping at the bit to give money away, as well as come up with plans of spending ($3,000 a month) for data storage and $125,000 to retain outside lawyers to defend this garbage law.

Then we have the governor authorizing emergency rules to hire teachers from out of state. Since Nevada is a “right-to-work” (for less) state, we have a tremendous shortage of qualified teachers. Didn’t the governor suggest a $5,000 bonus to keep quality teachers a few months back? $5,000 again. Let’s call that the Sandoval number.

Here is the irony of all ironies. Interim Superintendent of Education Steve Canavero said the emergency rules will allow his office to issue provisional licenses to teachers, letting them take jobs before they are actually licensed. Canavero said meeting our state licensing requirements may mean taking just one class ... the Nevada Constitution; 700-800 out-of-state, new and qualified teachers answering the same Nevada Constitution question for their temporary licenses ... no public funding shall be used for religious purposes. Am I hearing a nyuck, nyuck, nyuck, or is this just too bizarre to comprehend?

Gov. Sandoval, I ask you to admit the school voucher law was a mistake. Cancel it. Do the right thing and quit wasting public taxpayer money defending it. I know you believe in education. Do it the right way.

Rick Van Alfen

Carson City

On Carson expansion: Larger isn’t always better

In contrast to a recent letter to the editor from a reader criticizing the Appeal regarding opinion commentators, I would like to commend the Nevada Appeal for providing different viewpoints from its opinion commentators. As the saying goes, “Opinions are like (insert your adjective here), everybody has one.” The letter writer also said that Bo Statham was no longer contributing to the paper, but I just read one of his columns recently. While I certainly don’t agree with Mr. Statham’s views on a lot of things, he does present facts. Although there are times when not all the facts make it into his writing. That happens with those on both sides of subjects.

In my opinion, it is up to the reader to not take things at face value and research the subject to see what all the facts really are before taking sides.

Now that those supporting the downtown “makeover” have gotten their way and the work commences, I would hope that the Board of Supervisors and Mayor turn their focus to the needs of all the citizens of Carson City. Road repair and constraining the “grow at any cost” advocates are at the top of my list. Remember, we don’t have an unlimited supply of water, and Southern Nevada is looking to take even more of Northern Nevada’s water.

Citizens of this city need to keep a close eye on the direction the Board wants to take us. Larger isn’t always better!

David Knighton

Carson City

Carson people want to help homeless

My letter to the editor “Marano has wrong idea about homeless” on Feb. 20 has — via emails, phone calls and conversations — filled my brain with hope. Citizens wanting to donate food and time, a pastor’s encouraging comments, a woman whose family was displaced due to a house fire, mental health professionals looking to provide shelter (temporary and long term), healthcare professionals doing the same.

Carson City is alive with people who want to help, and people who are helping but are not interested in public recognition. I repeat: Carson City is alive, and as we gaze upon the $12 million yellow brick road being constructed, I believe our town has momentum.

So why settle with just dealing with this problem? Why not have Carson City become a model on how it answers the homeless bell? Why not create favor for our town based on the amazing people who live here? I ask, why not?

I am nobody. I intend to collect a number of us nobodies and combine our energy and passion to face our problem like a city moving forward, I encourage all who care to do the same.

George Vincent

Carson City

Increase of water rates is not only option

You reported that the water revenues for Carson City fell 10 percent below projections and therefore to compensate for the lack of revenue, a rate hike may be needed in the future. I understand and do not dispute that in order to make the necessary improvements, there needs to be adequate funding. However, there are actually two options: 1. To raise the water rates again (we are currently in the fourth year of a five-year phase-in of new water rates); or 2. Behave like responsible people/entities and work within their actual budgets.

Improvements are necessary, but do those improvements/maintenance have to be completed now, or can the work be adjusted over time? The citizens of Carson City have done their part by conserving water during a drought, so maybe those in charge need to do their part and reprioritize their budgets and start trimming the fat.

Gary Handley

Carson City

Kurt Meyer: Mentor, leader, friend

As a long-time employee of the Carson pool, I have spent a lot of time with Kurt. He was one of the best first-time-job bosses anyone could ask for. When he retired we had a party to honor his departure. The invitation to this party read: “Kurt Meyer, Mentor, Leader, Friend.” This is a very accurate description of what I feel he could bring to this beautiful little town we all call home.

Those who know Kurt know he is always quick to make you feel comfortable and accommodated wherever you are. I recently watched as a regular patron of the pool asked him questions about what he planned on doing if he were to be elected mayor.

Kurt took the time, stopped and listened to this guy for as long as he wanted to talk. I think it is time for Carson City to have a mentor, a leader and a friend, and Kurt Meyer is just the man for the job.

Caleb Schadeck

Carson City