Letters to the Editor Dec. 17

Editor:

Why is it that the U.S. Forest Service burns the slash piles on the eastern side of Lake Tahoe (Cave Rock area) instead of recycling it for compost and putting it back into the ground? They are making air pollution worse and causing more acid rain.

Here is a picture of the burn last year.

Donald E. Bently

Robert Nye

Minden

Editor:

I was recently made aware of a letter to the editor that was in the Nov. 12 edition of The Record-Courier entitled, "Pitbulls Not Safe," and found it necessary to respond.

My name in Gina Stanchfield; I own Gina's Grooming in the Gardnerville Ranchos. I have worked with dogs for over 30 years. I've also done pitbull rescue for the past five years. The pitbull originated in ancient Roman times. The breed was used for bull baiting in the early 1700s.

The breed went through some changes when mixed with the Blue Poll of Scotland, and the Alunt of Ireland, both bull fighting dogs.

The myth of the time was that the use of the dogs on bulls had a tenderizing effect on the meat. By the 1800s selective breeding produced the pit bull we know today.

A slow economy and laws prohibiting people of lesser means from owning sporting dogs discouraged bull baiting until it was officially banned in 1835. The ban turned people to an alternative sport known as "Ratting" where several rats were placed in a pit for a specific time with a dog. The dog placed in the match according to the number of kills. "Pit" in the breed name came from this practice - not from fighting other dogs. Pit bulls can be very sweet, curious, intelligent, and clownish. They are very outgoing and affectionate. Their eager to please disposition and their fondness for people make them a wonderful pet and companion.

Pit bulls can be stubborn and pushy, which coupled with bad press can intimidate some people, but by no means constitutes an aggressive or vicious temperament.

Pit bulls are generally energetic and need lots of exercise and stimulation in order to avoid frustration, boredom, and destructive tendencies.

However, exercise and stimulation should be a common practice with any breed. Pit bulls excel in many activities, including; obedience, agility, fly ball, herding, search and rescue, police narcotic dogs, border patrol dogs, therapy dogs, service dogs, soldiers, and even celebrities.

Pit bulls are loyal, loving and protective which makes them wonderful with children and in the past they were thought of as baby-sitters.

However, young children should never be left unattended with any breed, this is just common sense.

It is unfortunate that due to the mistreatment of this breed by unscrupulous individuals only for monetary gain and peer approval coupled with bad press have created this negative stigma.

Many would like to see this breed abolished through breed specific legislation, which would steal an individual's right to own this wonderful breed. Hopefully, through education people can learn to blame the deed not the breed.

Gina M. Stanchfield

Gardnerville Ranchos

Editor:

I would like to thank the people of Indian Hills that voted for me in this past election.

Your vote of confidence in me is truly appreciated. I will remain available in the coming years to hear your concerns about our neighborhoods, parks, water and waste water. Please feel free to call me anytime you can reach me through the office.

May you all have a very merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.

I remain in your service.

Dianne Humble

Sunridge

Editor:

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has just dealt justice a severe blow.

Ricky Sechrest confessed to killing 10-year old Maggie Schindler and 9-year old Carla Villa with a shovel. He was rightly convicted and sentenced to death.

Now comes the most overturned 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturning the death sentence on technicalities - "his rights were violated."

Justice has been dealt a serious blow by a liberal court who ignored the fact of admitted guilt and ignored the determination of a jury of his peers and ignored the rights of his victims.

Sechrest admitted that in 1983 " 26 years ago " he "tricked" the two girls into his car and drove them to an isolated location East of Reno for some unknown reason.

When one of the young girls panicked he hit her with a shovel. Fearing she was dead he used the same shovel to kill the other to cover up his crime. Then, when he found the first girl still alive, he hit her again with the shovel until she, too, was dead.

That surely is premeditated kidnapping, cruel and brutal torture.

This senseless brutal double murder occurred in 1983. Now 26 years later the court is giving him a second chance to live. Did he give either of the girls a second chance to live? Did he consider their rights?

Who was there to defend the rights of the two girls who were then just children?

They must be spinning in their graves hopefully trying to get out to brutally beat Sechrest to death with a shovel to achieve some sort of justice for their brutal massacre.

Put yourself in the shoes of the parents. They lost their daughters through the wanton, senseless brutality of another. As a parent I can only imagine what it would do to my family if my child were killed in such a manner. My heart goes out to the families of the victims - it must have destroyed their lives. The last 26 years must have been pure hell while justice was ignored and their daughters' killer lived on - three squares a day, color TV, full library privileges, a warm bed, health care, free legal services, etc., etc. The taxpayers have spent hundreds of thousands paying for Sechrest's living expenses for 26 years and for his attorneys to file motion after motion - all in an attempt to free a man who admitted he killed two young girls. (I'd like to know the cost for his housing and legal fees " why won't the press report that?) It is true that as an attorney if you are appointed defense council of a convicted murderer you have a lucrative job for life.

Why is this brutal admitted killer still alive? Why are we taxpayers continuing to pay for his living expenses and his legal fees? (Don't forget the state's legal expenses.) The taxpayers should be up in arms screaming at the legal system for its failure to carry out reasonable and timely justice.

Now you know why it is crucial to elect those who will appoint judges that will enforce reasonable justice based upon guilt or innocence and not those who search for technicalities to overturn valid decisions.

Stuart Posselt

Minden

Editor:

The Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Authority would like to thank all of the participants who made the 2008 Parade of Lights a great success.

The grand marshals Mr. and Mrs. Michael Fisher, representing the H.F. Dangberg Family and Mr. and Mrs. Randy Slater, representing the John Gardner Family and their escort, Dianna Borges of Borges Sleigh Rides.

The traffic control was provided by the Nevada Highway Patrol, Douglas County Sheriff and Douglas County Search & Rescue. The parade could not happen without them. The Town of Minden provided the ride for Santa in the refurbished 1937 La France fire truck with B.J. Strauser driving.

Event sponsors included Accolades Trophies, Douglas Times, Carson Times, Town of Minden and Carson Valley Country Club. We always appreciate the support of The Record-Courier.

Those who lit up the night were the Douglas High School Marching Band, Douglas High ROTC, Boy Scout Troop 411, Minden Taxi, North Sails, Carson Valley Calvary Kids, Valley Cruisers, Cub Pack 409, Chappell Ranch, Dresslerville Recreation Youth, Double D Trucking, Sunshine & Rainbows, Silver State Towing, Gimli Ironworks, Killer Salsa, Carson Valley House of Praise, Joe Benigno's Tree Service, Ho Ho Hogs, Carson Valley 20/30 Club, Douglas County 4-H, G.E. Energy, Team Automotive and Performance, Douglas Dukes, Carson Valley Shriner's Club, Carson Valley "We Believe," Gardnerville Fire Department, Action Mobile Mix and Plant It Nursery.

Our thanks to all of them and to those who came out to enjoy the parade.

Sheila Byington

Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Authority

Gardnerville

Editor:

We would like to thank Kelly Kite for his dedicated service to Douglas County in the capacity of commissioner.

He never failed to take a phone call day or night. He was always a straight arrow, and will be sorely missed. We wish Kelly and Cathie all the best in their future endeavors.

Bob and Martha Williams

Genoa