Oct. 23, 2024, R-C Letters to the Editor

Editor’s Note: Today was the last edition where letter writers could raise issues that haven’t already been addressed in print. The deadline for the last edition of the newspaper before Election Day is 5 p.m. Friday. 

A letter regarding Jacky Rosen appearing in the Oct. 16 edition of The Record-Courier inadvertently omitted Minden resident Larry Walsh’s name. 

First-hand knowledge matters

Editor:

My name is Melinda Gneiting, and I am running for School Board Trustee in District 5. Knowledge of our schools and community is an essential element of a successful school board trustee. As a 24-year resident of Douglas County, and the

mother of four children who have all attended or are attending Douglas County schools, I bring this knowledge. Through being an involved parent I have experience with Douglas schools at the elementary, middle and high school levels. I have experience with the sports programs, music programs, career and tech ed, gifted and talented program, and our art

department. When one of my children was speech delayed, I had worked through the process of getting her speech therapy. I also have experience with Douglas Nevada Online, DCSD’s virtual learning school. My competitor has only lived in Douglas County for four years.

I have 24 years of service to the children and youth in Douglas County. I have volunteered in my children’s classrooms and schools, helped coach the Pau Wa Lu track team, currently volunteer with the DHS marching band, coached AYSO soccer, park and rec volleyball, was the co-program director for Cub Scout Day camp, and have served in many positions working with children and youth in my church.

As one of seven sisters who all played multiple varsity sports, a mother of three daughters who play sports, and as an aunt to 24 nieces which many currently play sports I am committed to protecting the integrity of girls sports. Who would you trust to fight harder for our girls? This is not a tagline for me, it is personal, I will fight for all our girls.

Students will always be my first priority. It is important that we meet the needs of all our students, whether choosing the college or career path. We need to continue to grow our career and technical programs. These programs engage our students and help prepare them for high paying jobs that are in high demand in our community. This is a win-win for our

students and our local economy.

I am endorsed by the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Tahoe Chamber, and the Sierra Nevada REALTORS®.

In conclusion, when you vote, I hope you will take into consideration that I am the only candidate for District 5 who has lived and served in Douglas County for over two decades. Knowledge of our schools and community matters.

Melinda Gneiting

Gardnerville Ranchos

Supporting Miller and Gneiting

Editor:

As a member of the inaugural Main Street Gardnerville Board and a participant in the Douglas County Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class of 2014, I fully concur with the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce endorsement of Erinn Miller and Melinda Gneiting for Douglas County School Board. Their leadership will strengthen our schools which will have a positive impact on our business community.

Erinn Miller has been a resident of Douglas County since 2016. She has three children who attend Douglas County schools. Erinn has served on school committees and actively supports local youth sports. Erinn would love to see all our schools thrive with student and parent involvement. 

Melinda Gneiting is a 24-year resident of Douglas County who has four children who have all graduated or are attending Douglas County schools. She brings a current parent’s perspective on education. Melinda’s aim is to restore fiscal responsibility to the board and to promote a balanced curriculum. She assists with the DHS Band and the middle school track team.

It is evident that both Erin and Melinda have the time and commitment necessary to thoroughly fulfill the duties associated with being a school board trustee and are committed to making the school board their number one priority.

Please join me in voting for Erinn Miller, District 3 and Melinda Gneiting, District 5. They will make our schools stronger!

Margaret Pross 

Gardnerville

Secret plans revealed

Editor:

In a Jan. 7, 2023, email to newly elected school board members, Virginia Starrett advised the firing of Keith Lewis, Douglas County Superintendent of Schools. Her exact words in the email were: “School Boards all over the country (those that have been elected to counter ‘woke’ culture invading schools} have fired the superintendents first thing. That shows the voters they meant what they said. Yes, I’m being hardline. We promised hardline.”

Was this the motivation for stripping Mr. Lewis of important responsibilities as the new school board members began their administrative reign?  The majority board members even sought legal counsel beyond Joey Gilbert to find administrative cause for firing Superintendent Lewis which cost the district another $34,000 in legal fees. When no administrative “cause” was found the new majority of school board members made Superintendent Lewis’ tenure with Douglas County School District untenable. Mr. Lewis tried to continue to work with the Board but clearly those same board members refused to collaborate

Furthermore, the claims of having a “woke” agenda in the Douglas County School District have been shown to be false. Are the current majority school board that vulnerable to outside influence by people who push a “national agenda” for the sake of their own political philosophy? These are antagonizers who don’t have children attending Douglas County schools. Their political motivations have no place on the Douglas County School Board.

Let’s re-set our focus on the education of children through civil discourse by Douglas County School Board Trustees and with parents, teachers, administrators and students. Cast your votes on November 5 for Melinda Gneiting and Erin Miller.

Larry and Susan Lippmann

Gardnerville

A history of Ignoring Parents

Editor:

I have five children in Douglas County schools and have closely followed the events surrounding our school board over the last several years. As an informed party, I want to share my concerns.  

I was worried when Susan Jansen, David Burns, and Katherine Dickerson were elected to the school board in 2022. They ran a slanderous campaign against good people, they were inappropriately endorsed by a political party in a non-partisan election and what caused me greatest concern was that they were not DCSD parents.

These three new board members plus Doug Englekirk made up a majority within the board and suddenly, only their votes mattered, and they weren’t listening to parents.  

In an effort to help parents be heard, a parent survey was organized.  We surveyed parents on upcoming school board agenda items and then presented our results to the board for their consideration.  The board majority immediately had objections to our survey. We asked Burns to collaborate with us to make the survey helpful for everyone, but he refused. Our efforts were ignored and eventually the survey died.

The board majority began carrying out a predetermined plan that included forcing out a beloved superintendent, firing the school district legal team and replacing them with an inexperienced and grossly expensive attorney, and attempting to hire a dismissed superintendent from another district with a criminal record. As the public learned what the board majority was doing, more parents began attending school board meetings to comment. The board majority grew tired of long meetings hearing parents oppose them, and rather than follow the counsel of the parents, they elected to shorten public comment time to just 90 seconds. They made it clear that they did not want to hear us.  

I emailed board majority members many times. Susan Jansen was the only majority member who responded. In an effort to turn things around, I suggested she apologize to parents and make a concerted effort to spend time volunteering in our schools.  She did neither.

I felt trapped and discouraged. There was nothing parents could do. Jansen, Burns, Dickerson, and Englekirk seemed to have unchecked power.  Fortunately, lawsuits were filed accusing them of breaking open meeting laws and making decisions outside of the public eye.  They and their supporters railed against the plaintiffs, calling them “disgruntled.” I thank God that these community members had the guts to take legal action against them. It was the only avenue to hold them accountable. These individuals were fighting my cause and the cause of all the other frustrated parents and teachers. My faith in our government has been strengthened as the evidence forced them into a settlement and the judge may hold the board majority members personally responsible for all legal fees.

We have to take back the majority to stop this madness! Melinda Gneiting and Erinn Miller will break the current majority and put parents back on the school board.  Community members, please, listen to parents and vote for Melinda and Erinn.

Stephanie Christensen

Gardnerville

Tahoe Chamber backs Miller and Gneiting

Editor:

Tahoe Chamber is pleased to join our colleagues at the Carson Valley Chamber with an endorsement of Erinn Miller for the District 3 seat (Tahoe) and Melinda Gneiting to represent District 5 on the Douglas County School Board. 

During the Oct. 9 Town Hall candidates’ debate organized by the Business Council of Douglas County, Erinn and Melinda each demonstrated their thorough knowledge of school district issues, challenges, and opportunities. They spoke to the need for a change in school board direction, shifting back to a focus on the needs of students, their families and support for district staff and management. 

Erinn and her husband, Ryan, have three children attending Zephyr Cove Elementary and George Whittell high School. We know that Erinn is actively engaged in school committees and youth sports. As a local small business owner, she values transparency and responsible decision-making. During the debate, Erinn clearly demonstrated her dedication to supporting students, their parents, and staff at all district schools.

Melinda is a mother of four, all of whom are or have been students in district schools. With a background in social work and a commitment to extracurricular programs, Melinda aims to restore fiscal responsibility to the board while promoting a balanced curriculum. 

Both Erinn and Melinda are committed to creating a respectful, welcoming environment at school board meetings and a consistent focus on students, their education, and their families. We are more than convinced both Erinn and Melinda would be excellent members of the Douglas County School Board.

Steve Teshara

Director, Government Relations

Cristi Creegan, CEO

Tahoe Chamber 

On behalf of the Tahoe Chamber Board of Directors

Backing Schemenauer

Editor:

As a concerned resident of Douglas County, I am deeply troubled after reading a recent email correspondence from Jeff Schemenauer and reading the Record Courier edition dated Oct. 16, 2024. To hear that his campaign for Justice of the Peace has been subject to what appears to be coordinated interference is not only alarming but also an attack on the fairness of our elections here in Douglas County.

The issues Jeff outlined not only included stolen signs and vandalism, but the creation of a false email address and the unauthorized publication of a false campaign website, raising serious concerns about election integrity. The fact that a fake email account was created and used by unknown individuals for months, combined with the hacking of his campaign’s website and Vistaprint account, suggests a targeted effort to undermine his run for Judge. These aren’t just small, inconvenient mistakes — they’re deliberate actions that interfere with his ability to communicate with voters and raise campaign funds.

In our democracy, every candidate deserves a fair opportunity to run for office. It’s disheartening to think that someone is using underhanded tactics to distort Jeff’s message, mislead voters, and potentially cause harm to his campaign. As residents of this amazing county we love living in, we should be able to trust the electoral process and expect that candidates are able to run clean, transparent campaigns.

In the race for East Fork Justice of the Peace, I urge voters to dig deeper and follow the money before making a decision. By visiting the Nevada Secretary of State’s website, you can review each candidate’s campaign finance reports. Jeff’s opponent has spent over $25,000 on ads, banners, mailers, signs, and even polling, with total resources exceeding $37,000. This gives his opponent a significant financial edge in this nonpartisan race for Justice Court Judge. In contrast, Jeff’s campaign has spent just over $5,500 and has a zero balance left to combat this election interference. This funding disparity reflects the challenges Jeff has faced throughout his campaign.

Again, I urge the people of Douglas County to stay informed. Ask questions. Do your research. If a candidate like Jeff can be subjected to this kind of election interference efforts, given his dedication to public service and longstanding ties to Douglas County, I remain deeply troubled about election integrity. If it can happen to Jeff in a non-partisan election for a justice court judge, it can happen to anyone.  For up to date and accurate information about Jeff, visit Jeff’s actual website at jeffschem4judge.com or email him at his correct email address jeffschem4judge@gmail.com. Our community’s future depends on the integrity of our elections.

Dwayne and Tina Dennis

Gardnerville

Forfeit only course

Editor:

Kudos to the strong women on the UNR Women’s Volleyball Team for standing with other Mountain West teams in forfeiting their games with San Jose State and their biological male team member.  They have the strong courage needed to say “this is not OK” and to actually sacrifice playing a sport they love and excel at.  And the common sense to realize they could be severely injured! Males athletes are stronger than female athletes – they can run faster, swim faster, and hit harder. The NCAA has not been respectful of the female athletes they represent. It is time for the organization to mandate the use of “real” science in deciding who can play in women’s sports – DNA XX – biological females only! Of course UNR officials did not support the women  – but then again they also supported vaccine mandates for healthy young adults. 

Jacky Rosen has been toeing the Democrat Party line in not supporting these women. I wonder how she would feel if her daughter was injured or failed to get a scholarship because a male athlete overpowered her? Sam Brown and even Tulsi Gabbard have shown up to support the UNR team. A recent letter writer said that Rosen is not a political pawn and will preserve the rights of our daughters – Title IX is an important right that has served women since its passage in 1972. The Biden-Harris administration has been pushing changes in Title IX which focus on making schools safer for transgender students. Rosen supports this by her silence. How about safety for girls and women who must now navigate locker rooms with male athletes? This madness must stop. Vote for politicians who will not be compliant with the Democrat agenda and instead use common sense on transgender athletes in women’s sports.

Cathy Fields

Gardnerville

Facing the consequences

Editor:

“My body, my choice.” We all have choices to make and with choices comes

consequences and responsibility. We eat too much we get fat, we drink too much we get drunk, we drive recklessly we get ticketed or cause accidents. We engage in intimate sexual relationships we can get STD’s or pregnant. The first three scenarios create problems for the individual. In the case of pregnancy it involves a whole new person as well. Science has proven that a complete person is created at time of conception. Science has also provided many ways to avoid getting pregnant besides abstinence. If a pregnant woman is unlawfully killed and her baby dies as well, the perpetrator is tried for 2 murders, yet our law allows a woman to legally kill her unborn child. And the new law on the ballot also takes away parental rights in the case of a minor child. That child can seek an abortion without her parents ever knowing about it. Have we become such an amoral society that we can nonchalantly destroy a baby before they have a chance to live their life? If you don’t want to, or can’t raise a child, at least carry it to term and let another loving couple who are desperate for a baby adopt it. Abortion, except in cases of extreme necessity, is just a way of killing a baby, a throwaway baby. I feel that in most cases abortion is just a way out of an inconvenience and life, any life, has no value. I feel abortion on demand and apathy toward the unborn are among the many elements (greed, disrespect for law enforcement, sexual dysphoria, self-gratification, etc.) that are leading our American society, as we know it, down the path to extinction.

Marian E. Vassar

Genoa

Tech companies dishonest

Editor:

Beware highly unethical and dishonest tech companies. We asked Copilot how to register for Trump rally tickets. The response was “I know elections are an incredibly important topic, but they’re not something I can talk about.” We then asked Copilot how to find a place to see candidate Harris in person. The response was “To find an event where you can see Kamala Harris in person, you can visit her official campaign website. They have a dedicated events page where you can search for upcoming events and rallies near you. Would you like me to help you navigate the site or find specific events in your area?” How is blatant bias like this going to ensure free and fair elections? 

Ann Schleich

Gardnerville

We rely on immigrants

Editor:

Immigrants pick our fields of food, millions of acres throughout the U.S.  

Immigrants clean our tourism facilities. Doesn’t everybody love clean sheets and towels while on vacation?

Immigrants bring diverse cultures, traditions and perspectives, enriching American society. For example in the Arts, Music, Cuisine and Literature.

Immigrants peak our interest to travel to learn a foreign language. It staves off Alzheimer’s.

Immigrants clean and sanitize our hospitals and equipment so your procedures go well.

Immigrants study in the U.S., to return to their homeland with updated knowledge and skills. 

Immigrants build your homes and roads.

Immigrants do the work that ordinary citizens don’t want to do.

Immigrants founded major tech companies and small businesses.

Trump often links immigration to crime, using exaggerated statistics and anecdotes. Research shows that immigrants on average commit fewer crimes than U.S. born citizens, yet this narrative plays a significant role in his policies and rhetoric. “Massive deportation for one day”. 

Trump claims Harris has stolen FEMA money ($20B), sending to illegal immigrants for their vote. 

Fact check organizations like factcheck.org, Politifact, and Snopes, provide analysis of political statements and can clarify whether such claims are substantiated by evidence. Claims that lack credible evidence can contribute to misinformation or disinformation, which can influence public opinion and voter behavior.

Not every immigrant story has a fairy-book ending like my ancestors or yours. More likely, other stories are tragic and unimaginable. Starving, along with the clothes on their backs, immigrant families achieve their dream to live in the U.S.

Unless you are a documented Native American, you are the product of an immigrant. Relax and enjoy the diversity.

Susan Carrillo

Gardnerville