Letters to the Editor

Limit based on weakest point

Editor:

The small, albeit vocal, minority wishes people would state the correct facts when submitting letters or opinions to The Record-Courier.

In this case it is Mr. Charney's guest opinion of Feb. 20 entitled, "Closing Minden airport would be a bad plan."

A majority of the voters voted to adopt an ordinance covering a maximum take-off gross weight of 50,000 pounds.

Per Mr. D. L. Bennett, Director of Airport Safety and Standards, FAA, Washington, D.C., "As a basic airport design principle, taxiways and ramps are generally built to the same weight-bearing capacities as the runways served by those taxiways and ramps. If, for some historical reason, the current limits of various airport pavements are not all the same, then the weight-bearing capacity of the lowest-capacity pavement in the taxi route would be used."

Per R.R. Cavole, Airports Compliance Specialist, FAA, San Francisco, in his Aug.16, 2004, letter to Minden Airport Manager Jim Braswell states: "Operation of an aircraft in the 60,000 pound and 75,000 pounds classes, if restricted from a few areas should not have a significant impact on pavement performance." The evaluation states that the limiting factors for operations are certain parking areas on the ramp and restricting taxing operations from the mid-field connectors on taxiway A. For these aircraft taxing procedures can be established to address aircraft parking and taxiway restrictions."

In my mind, the above two letters clearly state the ordinance for the 50,000 pound weight limit would be considered as valid with the FAA and that to exceed that weight limit would require changes in "certain parking areas on the ramps and in restricting taxing operations." Since there have been reports of aircraft that exceed the weight limit using the airport, I have to believe these changes, against the desires of the majority of the voters, were made.

To me, the main issue is not one of noise, number of flights, etc. It is the disregard the Douglas County commissioners and some of the bureaucrats in the county have for the majority of the voters.

Additionally, in regard to a tower, federal and county tax dollars would be necessary to fund the construction of such a tower; but, it is my understanding the cost of operation of such a tower would have to come from local revenue sources, operating fees, tax dollars, etc. Could the cost of operations be readily recovered from revenues from the commercial users?

Sanford E. Deyo

Minden

Don't bring the bay to Nevada

Editor:

Mr. Charney's guest opinion on Feb. 20 has seriously misread the rich mix of people living here in Douglas County, hardly a "bottom of the pyramid" group. Our residents are not willing to prostitute themselves by ruining their tranquil valley in order to grab an inconsequential promise of money. The jet invasion is mostly for storage, which brings little money but lots of noise and pollution. Jet noise reverberates all around our Valley, and is far more disturbing than smaller planes.

Mr. Charney is correct when he supports providing for soaring and homebuilt aircraft enthusiasts and student pilots. And there is unconditional support for all firefighting equipment. This is exactly the heritage that most of us want to protect. The enemy is the California jet jockeys who want to house their jets here to save money while we "simple folk" absorb the environmental damage. We object to becoming the parking garage for Silicon Valley executive jet limousine services.

Mr. Charney can speak to how quiet business jets are when he becomes a resident of Wildhorse - under the flight path. He obviously hasn't experienced any large jets roaring over his home in Genoa.

A handful of airport business owners have been at work in the background and were responsible for the weight ordinance language to be removed from the Airport Facility Directory - effectively eliminating our weight limit. Mr Charney is affiliated with this organization and effort. It is particularly unnerving to know how easy it is to bypass a county ordinance and overrule the electorate by complaining.

A control tower would simply handle and attract yet more jets. Our airport would be most safe if the jet traffic is not allowed to greatly expand and displace the traditional aviators. And a tower would have minimal benefit to noise because those jets still must take off, climb out, descend, and land. Opportunities to divert away from houses are limited. Mr. Charney doesn't seem to take into consideration what will happen to the glider community if a tower and many jets are allowed. Who do you think will have priority for takeoff and landings? And what will happen to our beloved bald eagles? Will they return with jets invading the valley?

An environmental impact report would do much to clarify the type of damage that would result from business jet development at the airport. We deserve to know what will be sacrificed in order to accommodate the jet invasion. I suspect it will show that much will be sacrificed for a few to make money, little of which will flow back to our valley.

Finally, three California airports are cited as good examples to follow - Palo Alto, San Carlos, and Livermore. Isn't it plainly obvious that almost none of us want to become an extension of the San Francisco Bay area? Perhaps the root of this entire problem is the small minority that wants to reconstruct the Bay area here in Nevada.

Michael Walsh

Gardnerville

Project moving to stop recreation

Editor:

Douglas County residents who enjoy recreational activities in either Lyon or Mineral counties should be aware that pending federal legislation supported by the Nevada Wilderness Project will essentially end those activities.

Specifically, vast tracts in southern Lyon western Mineral counties and a huge area of Mono County that extends all of the way to Mono Lake will be closed to most recreational uses.

What does this mean? Simply put, if passed by Congress, the designated wilderness areas will prohibit off-roading of any sort, equestrian activities, wood cutting, cycling and make compliance by ranchers who have permits to use these lands virtually impossible. You can forget most forms of family recreation.

The Nevada Wilderness Project and its associated support organizations and lobbyists have not the slightest rural Nevada flavor. In fact, its board consists of three members from Las Vegas, one from Reno, one from Huntington Beach, Calif., another from Durango, Colo., and one from Incline Village, who only moved there in 2004.

Perhaps the worst aspect of this charade is that the district ranger of the Bridgeport Ranger District, U.S. Forest Service, has stated there is absolutely no way that she can have a wilderness proposal done by the end of 2008. And yet, the Wilderness Project and Sen. Harry Reid insist that the legislation be passed by the end of this year. Why? Because they know full well that a public outcry will greatly complicate their agenda to end recreation in these areas.

If you participate in any form of recreational activity in Western Nevada, or you are a U.S. Forest Service permittee, please write to your elected representatives and all local newspapers protesting the arbitrary actions of the Wilderness Project and its lobbyists.

Phil Tucker

Smith Valley

Remembering Terry Clore

Editor:

On Feb. 12, 2008, we lost a very special person in our family, Terry Clore. He was a son, father, grandpa, brother and uncle, but most of all a friend to all. Whether you met Terry once, or had been a lifetime friend, to him you were a friend forever.

We would like to take this time to express all of our sincere appreciation, gratitude and love to all who helped us through our saddened time. We know there were many friends that helped us in many ways, big and small. Your help and thoughts were truly appreciated. The outpour of love from all of Terry's friends and having you with us that day was truly incredible.

To Scott Smith, Piper Doucette of Pipin' Hot Catering, Todd Wilcks, Bud Rinasz, Dave Taylor, Johnny Thomas, George Kirka, Carson Valley Sertoma, J.T. Basque Bar & Dining Room, The French, Western Nevada Supply and Terry's niece Stephanie Hettrick and her husband Andy for the beautiful slideshow of Terry's life. We truly appreciate all of you. Your kindness was overwhelming and we could not have gotten through that day without you. Our apologies to those we have failed to mention, your help and support did not go unnoticed. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Thank you, also to everyone who sent flowers, cards, and shared their wonderful stories and times with Terry at his memorial service. It helped us know just how much he was loved.

Every time you see a bright star in the sky, remember Terry, he loved looking at the stars and telling all about them. Terry was a bright and shinning star in our family and to all of his friends. We will miss him dearly.

Terry's love in life, besides his children, family and Michelle, was the game of golf. So we have set up a scholarship fund at Douglas High School in Terry's name. If you wish to contribute to this fund you may do so by sending checks payable to Douglas High School in care of Terry Clore, P.O. Box 1888, Minden, NV 89423.

Donations will be used for students that share Terry's passion for golf but may not be able to afford equipment, etc. Terry would want a student to have that chance.

We should all learn from him, "Live life to its fullest and enjoy your loved ones and friends every day."

Our love and a great big hug to everyone,

The Clore family and

Michele Wolfe and family

Gardnerville