Letters to the Editor

Stop signs there for a reason

Editor:

Stop signs in Ruhenstroth. Isn't it amazing, nobody got killed and they put up some stop signs. When investigating this area as a possible area to relocate to in 2002, I nearly got T-Boned on Mustang by someone doing 40-plus on Arabian. There weren't any stop signs then, but there are now. I drive with extra caution in this area. So I don't believe it was a waste of money for those stop signs.

Maybe they could afford a few more 25 mph signs on Palomino and Pinto. I believe there is just one sign down by the mailboxes for the whole area, and that doesn't cut the mustard for all of Ruhenstroth.

Try walking to the mailboxes at 4 p.m., the 40 and 50 mph traffic will send you to the ditch.

A few years ago the Douglas County Sheriff parked their radar buggy on Pinto with a 55 mph speed limit sign (they were being realistic). Someone called and they came out and changed it to 25 mph, thankfully. We all laughed.

Howard Althouse

Ruhenstroth

Base opinions on local knowledge

Editor:

Your publisher chose to defend his support of growth at our airport. Unfortunately, he added no cogent rebuttal to the sensible facts against his stand. Mr. Rogers' whole attitude is condescending.

He disrespectfully dismisses contrary opinions as emotion, despite facts presented. The airport will be a hot topic as voters choose commissioners in November, hence, we need to get our facts straight. The R-C needs op-eds based on balanced, comprehensive local knowledge.

Mr. Roger compares us to Vail, Colo., but their airport is about 30 miles from town - no surprise that their sensitivity is low.

Our airport is nestled amongst our major residential areas, so environmental sensitivity is acute.

Our airport has a unique set of circumstances and none of us should try to equate it to where we came from.

It is fear-mongering to suggest that many residents want to close the airport, as are Mr. Rogers' threats of "stagnation" and "decline." Let's eliminate this baseless and misleading rhetoric.

Look, it isn't a "tricky tightrope" - it is very simple. The primary exposure we face is from outside aviation interests - not from growth needs within the county or scheduled commercial flights. The majority of residents who look carefully at the issues and facts support aviation growth that directly serves bona fide county needs. They oppose outsiders setting up shop in service to far-distant customers. The importation of unnecessary environmental damage for outside benefit is the issue here. This is in line with the May 2007 commissioners' resolution on the airport. We only have to follow that lead.

Lets' not kid anyone that: "It won't happen." Just drive along Heybourne Road. The dramatic Piñon Aero airport development is springing to life. Sure, there isn't a local need for their 100 huge jet hangars, but that's exactly the point - they are targeting outside needs.

Let's focus on the facts and have a respectful discourse to define our future.

Jim Herd

Gardnerville

Finding birth

family important

Editor:

Five years ago, at age 60, I found and met my birth family. It was the greatest thrill of my life.

Two years ago, shortly after moving here from the Napa Valley, I hosted a pot luck gathering for Carson Valley residents who had also been adopted. It's time to do that again.

I'm planning the event for May 24 at my home in the Johnson Lane area of Minden.

If you were adopted, are looking for or have found your birth family and would like to meet others with similar experiences, please contact me at 267-3651 or by e-mail at napapat7373@charter.net for details.

As stated repeatedly at our first gathering, finding your birth family can be a true miracle.

Pat Stanley

Minden

Videographer,

editor contribute

Editor:

There is a very professional videographer in town that has been instrumental in promoting the prevention messages of the Partnership of Community Resources. Michael J. Smith videographer and WHAT producer and his editor Martie Lester have worked tirelessly to generate quality prevention message programs that will be seen on Douglas County, Lake Tahoe, Carson City and Reno public television stations. Michael and Marti have donated their time and expertise to document our "Family and Friends" series this year allowing a much larger audience to visualize the horrific effects of spit tobacco and underage drinking and driving.

They have also donated their time and expertise to create "A Mom's Story" which is a heartfelt chronicle of one mother's ultimate loss of her son from methamphetamine. Michael and Martie have also produced a fully Spanish version of our Hispanic Community Night allowing our Hispanic community the opportunity to learn and grow from our prevention education. If any member of our community is interested in these and many other productions these two gifted people have created you can pick them up at our local library.

A huge thank-you to Michael Smith and Martie Lester for their commitment to health and wellness in our community.

Melinda Matus

Partnership of Community Resources