Letters to the Editor

Flood ruling endangers Valley

Editor:

What trial? What judge?

I was not at the trial, nor even made aware of it; it is not clear who defended the public or spoke on my behalf, maybe that is what is meant by unfettered discretion.

As I read the article declaring the flood ordinance unconstitutional, I looked for the disclaimer of a fictional character. It was not there. I was not even aware of this trial occurring, yet my thoughts, actions and intention seem so central. We have learned not to expect justice from the legal system. But with the public health and safety at risk; shouldn't someone care?

Complying with the FEMA floodplain program means we can have flood insurance in our community. The program is used throughout the nation with ordinances similar to Douglas County. The rules and the requirements are straight forward, there are no provisions to send incomplete applications forward. The administrator is required to certify it complies with the laws. The county manager and chairman of the board of commissioners were both made aware of my findings and conclusions regarding this application. So much for unfettered. With U.S. 395, Minden emergency care, and the sewage treatment plant all downstream, getting it right seems important.

But let's not lose focus on the suggested outcome.

Regarding the fix; Bob Morris is quoted "I do not think this will have a big impact on the county." I hear that to mean, the status quo. Too bad. We need to consistently stick to our development code and even tighten it. But the county seems set on a fix so we the taxpayer can continue to pay the costs for deficient infrastructure and substandard engineering practices proffered by the select developers that would rather litigate than improve the community. Not all development is allowed to push its floodwaters onto someone else's land. So in the clarity of the fix, I hope that is clear too.

Has anyone looked at the photos from our last flood lately? So much new construction on lands that got pretty wet; well flooded. The ranchers confirm they cannot move the water as well as they did in the past.

So put accusations of activist judges and inept attorneys aside, we have a problem that is getting worse. It is not as immediate as some county issues, but the fix is far more expensive and cannot be patched with another little deal. Each encroachment adds more tax burdens upon the future, ask the county commissioners to stop placing unfunded mandates on the next generation.

Mitch Dion

Gardnerville

How about 'made in Carson Valley?'

Editor:

"Whatever happened to 'made in America?'" wrote Dee Rasmussen and M. A. Martin on April 16. A global economy changes things, not always for the better. But take heart. There is a great success story right here in Carson Valley.

At North Sails in Minden we build sails for racing yachts. You may have seen some of our work on television last week when ESPN2 showed highlights of a Grand Prix regatta in Miami. Or perhaps last summer during coverage of the Americas Cup in Valencia, Spain where 11 of the 12 teams used our sails.

You'll have another opportunity in October when the Walt Disney Co. releases "Morning Light," a feature-length documentary about a team of young sailors competing in the 2007 Transpacific Yacht Race to Hawaii.

These race teams are the best in the world and could buy their equipment from anyone, anywhere in the world. But they buy their sails from us because nothing else even comes close. We're quite proud of that.

We have about 150 employees. Local people who work hard and produce a fantastic product unavailable from any other source. And because there isn't much yacht racing here in the Great Basin, the money to buy that product comes from outside the area, a significant portion of it from outside the United States. We sometimes say that we import money. Every two weeks we inject that money into the local economy. Our employees are your neighbors and you might see them at the grocery store, or the barber shop, or a restaurant, spending money that came from someone very far away who wants to buy what they build.

They are great American workers making a great American product.

J. Brandon

North Sails Nevada

Minden

What's wrong with growth?

Editor:

What a pleasure to see a breath of fresh air. Some positive comments about our airport after the same half-dozen folks continue to prod for a no-change policy for years. Always the same few signatures and the same refrain.

Douglas County has grown and will continue to grow. The airport should stay the same? A recent objection is that we may become another Prescott, Ariz. Perhaps, but not until Minden becomes a bedroom community for Las Vegas, as Prescott is for Phoenix. Not a likely scenario.

Let's look at Prescott (a World War II trainer field, like Minden). It has 284 single-engine aircraft based there - compared to 178 here. Of those, 26 are multi-engine, compared to 31 here. Prescott Airport has eight jets and there are 15 here. Prescott has one fixed base operator, we have two. Should we force one to shut down? Prescott has a tower manned from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

And, yes, they have air taxi service. No airline traffic, just an air taxi. I'd bet there's people here that would love to air taxi to Sacramento, Vegas or even Reno. Isn't that drive a pain? Jump in a Cessna Caravan (not even a jet) and be there in 30 minutes.

Let's say Piñon Aero or Brown gets a couple of good-sized jets to base here. For conversation, say they're new and cost $5 million each (a low figure, by the way). The personal property tax will bring in $52,500 each.

Now the quiz. How many of those jets need to be based here in order to make it so we never hear about a business or a utility tax?

Noise is a serious consideration. Modern-day jets are quiet? How quiet? Much quieter than most piston airplanes and they get that lesser noise out of here quicker. Like 25,000 feet in 6-7 minutes. Unlike the tow plane circling with his cargo. Or even the Skyhawk out for a lazy afternoon of great pleasure.

Minden airport deserves to be vibrant, productive and a source of pleasure to many. Just like the rest of Douglas County.

Dick Young

Gardnerville

Show support

in print

Editor:

Has whining about others become the national mantra? Even the R-C's new publisher has turned to whining about other people as a way of explaining how his views regarding the airport are more right than wrong ("Getting Stung" April 18).

Those of us who challenged him on his views made time in our lives to write a letter to the editor, but according to him, those who agreed with him simply called on the phone. Mr. Rogers says that "overall the feedback from the airport column actually was very positive ... although you wouldn't know it from the letters."

Instead of hiding behind unpublished telephone calls, I'd suggest that in the future, he ask his minions to write a letter to the editor, so we can all see who they are.

Perhaps Rogers, who suggests "it may well be that the airport developed to its rather limited natural potential would ease some of our growth pressure" hasn't visited Orange County in the last 40 years to see how airports tend to grow beyond their "limited natural potential." There it was bean fields limiting its "natural potential." Here it's just sage brush.

Sir, please book a flight to John Wayne International and see how many beanfields are left in Orange County. Oh, be sure to take a camera and use some of your ink to publish pictures of the "limited natural potential" of that once local airport.

Bob Ballou

Minden

Time to rein in

oil companies

Editor:

I have followed all the of the pros and cons regarding the local airport and the possible influx of jet aircraft and the expected noise and potential danger that have recently been written about. With the present gas problem I feel this may be a moot point.

My question is directed at our senators and congressmen and hopefully at our president. I'm sure many of our citizenry would like to know how the hell long they are going to sit on their duffs while airlines are folding or raising prices, while long-haul truck drivers are threatening to go on strike due to increased gas prices, making the hauling of our commodities, if this comes to pass, raise prices sky high.

This is not to mention the hardship that is presently placed on the entire population for getting back and forth to work, and the services that many depend on in their daily needs.

Also, what about postal delivery and further postage stamp increases? Who do you think is going to foot the bill? Not our government, I'm sure.

All of the foregoing is coming to pass while some of the major oil companies are posting billions of dollars of earned revenue.

I reiterate, why the hell is our government not doing something about it? I remember back in the '50s when Arab oil started to soar and only a threat of war backed them down. I think it is now time to declare war on our oil companies. Or are too many of our elected officials, too far deep in the oil companies' hip pockets to raise a ruckus? Under the current circumstances, our present recession could well blow into a full-blown depression.

Bill Barnum

Gardnerville

Derby dinner

was wonderful

Editor:

I would like to thank those that put on the Douglas County Derby Dinner for Jill Derby April 14. I thank owner Marie Lekumberry for graciously reserving the J.T. Basque Bar & Dining Room for the event.

I also want to thank the numerous people from the Douglas County Democratic Central Committee that sponsored and coordinated this event. I never had the privilege to listen to Jill Derby speak publicly before this event. Jill Derby is very eloquent and entertaining. I had no idea this wonderful lady has a degree in Middle Eastern studies, or that she can speak Arabic.

Now couldn't we use someone in Congress with these special skills?

Did you know she was one of the first signers to the Responsible Plan To End The War In Iraq?

Again, I'd like to thank everyone involved, especially Jill Derby for such a memorable evening.

Paul Belt

Minden

Thanks for

helping Julie

Editor:

The family of Julie Rodriguez, 15, who underwent a liver transplant in December 2007, want to thank all who helped and attended the recent fundraiser at St. Gall Catholic Church, whose staff was there every step of the way.

The Valley Cruisers Car Club who showed up in full force, St. Gall parishioners, family and friends. The proceeds from this event will assist the family in their medical expenses nearing $2 million now.

Julie continues to make trips to Stanford for tests and therapy and has improved immensely.

This community is blessed with the following friends, schools and businesses who supported this event with their donations: Minden Elementary School (Ken Stoll, Janelle Sheets and Shari Chappell); Carson Valley Middle School who advertised on their marquee; Lisa Aiazzi of Country Insurance; Mary Kay and Jafra Product reps; Creative Memories (Jackie Gorton) Raley's, Scolari's, Sierra Nevada Trading Co.; Smith's Food Stores; Mom & Pops of Carson; Ironwood Theater's Lori Pulver; Pizza Factory of Minden; Sheriff Ron Pierini; Carson Valley Inn; Frank Bachman, Wayne and Maggie Porter; Mike and Angel Gilbert and family; Susan Rehm; Nancy Bargman; Nancee Goldwater and family, plus all the generous above and beyond monetary donations received from friends.

This event would not have been successful if not for the tireless efforts in the kitchen cooking and serving by a wonderful group of ladies. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all who participated.

Diana Lombard

Gardnerville

Great car repair

Editor:

For anyone looking for complete satisfaction in car repair, I highly recommend Golden Nugget Automotive in Gardnerville. After purchasing an SUV, major drive train problems became apparent. Golden Nugget dealt with a warranty company that didn't want to fix the car, the dealership, who wasn't legally responsible and me, a frustrated customer. In the end, the car was repaired to my complete satisfaction. Not only is the repair work excellent, but the time and aggravation spent on getting the job done with the obstacles that had to be overcome is above and beyond what most repair facilities would be willing to endure.

I thank Mike at Golden Nugget Automotive and all his staff for a job well done.

Roger Alther

Gardnerville