Letters to the Editor Jan. 7

Editor:

Many of the residents of the greater Minden/Gardnerville/Topaz Ranch area knew my mother, Gerry Llewellyn. She worked at the Carson Valley Inn for 16 years and never missed a day of work. There was such a wonderful outpouring of love for my mother after her death; and for that the family is very grateful.

Our concern is that the Douglas County Sheriff's Office failed to act responsibly. On Oct. 11, 2008, the sheriff's office was called to do a welfare check on Gerry because she was not responding to calls from friends and had missed a hair appointment, something she had never done.

That evening the deputy went to her house with two co-workers. Prior to this, the neighbor and a friend had tried pounding on the door to get Gerry to respond to no avail. The deputy was made aware of this. When he arrived, they checked around the house and went around the outside to the bedroom area where a co-worker called Gerry's name several times without response. They could see Gerry lying in her bed because the deputy shined his flashlight into the room.

Getting no response; he dropped the blinds which apparently made a loud noise and he stated that he saw her leg move. With that, he left the house. The co-worker argued with the deputy for 20 minutes that something was wrong; to no avail. The next day, Gerry did not show up or call into work; something she had never done before in 16 years. The co-workers this time insisted that a deputy go to the house and make entry.

By then, it was too late and Gerry was helicoptered to Reno where she succumbed. I think the community should be outraged at the lack of responsible action by the sheriff's office. At the very least, they should have gotten a verbal response from Gerry to make sure she was OK.

The comment from a detective was that they didn't want to scare her. Had they done their job, Gerry may be alive today. We will never know. I'd like to thank all those who sent cards, called, and came to my mother's memorial. It was very heartwarming to see how much she was loved. She is truly missed.

Barbara Gilbert

Beaumont, Calif.

Editor:

Too bad your credulous reporter didn't do some research before writing Friday's admiring article about the Amnesty International Club at Douglas High School.

Amnesty International's fight for human rights is nothing if not politically correct, with plenty of condemnation for America and our allies. They offer evidence-free "reports" about, among other things, our torture of prisoners and " liberal cause du jour " Israel's "disproportionate" response to Hamas rocket attacks.

Predictably, Amnesty International excoriates Israel for defending itself against terror attacks, but criticizes Hamas only tepidly for deliberately causing civilian deaths on both sides. Hamas commits a war crime every time it fires a rocket into Israel, but you won't hear that from Amnesty International.

I applaud the club members for their good intentions, but they and their parents should read former AI board member Professor Francis Boyle's comments about Amnesty on sourcewatch.org (not an America-friendly Web site), and search "Amnesty International" on National Review Online and other Web sites. AI is very concerned, for example, about the plight of American military deserters and Guantanamo detainees.

Amnesty's aid to the oppressed comes with a big helping of left-wing tripe.

For those interested in opportunities for their kids to do real good in the world, the Scouts have some great programs.

Lynn Muzzy

Minden

Editor:

I am appalled during this holiday season by our gas retailers. Given our economic situations and the fact that people are suffering particularly in Nevada that our gas retailers saw fit to increase prices during this holiday season. Let them rub salt into our tourists that are increasingly hard to draw and make it a little more difficult for our local people.

It amazing to think that our other retailers are scurrying to cut prices and do whatever they can to stimulate sales but our gas retailers who sell a necessity don't have the same problems or concerns.

As bad as it is be thankful that you don't live in Yerington where that community always has gas prices $.20 to $.30 higher for no logical reason whatsoever. Tonopah which is 200 miles from either direction has cheaper prices than Yernington so don't give me transportation costs. And please don't mention that down in Sacramento, California today you can buy unleaded regular for $1.51 a gallon.

I am not sure what to say Happy Holiday, Merry Christmas or Gotcha.

Bill Gran

Wellington

Editor:

The Douglas High School Volleyball Program would like to thank our awesome Douglas County residents for the overwhelming support and generosity given to our student/athletes. Without your assistance we would not have had such a wonderful season. Since it is at the end 2008 and the beginning of 2009, now is a very appropriate time to give a mighty tiger roar of appreciation to you the citizens and business owners of Douglas County and to name a few, Curtis & Sons, Johnson Lane VFD, Ruhenstroth VFD, JT Basque Bar & Dining, Building Concepts, CV Chukar Club, DHS All Sports Boosters Club, Douglas County Parks & Recreation Department, United Rentals, Jon Tobias, Alton Anker, Jeff Lawrence, Cat Allison, Jeff Marsh, Steve & Linda White, Andy Mitchell, Joan & Joe DuPuis, Susan Antti, Vanessa Ozolins, Beth Mitchell, Stephanie Waggoner, and there are many more of you we did not have the room to mention but you know who you are and you are in our hearts forever. The DHS administration and staff were loads of help and it is much appreciated. Please remember how lucky and thankful we are to be living in such a wondrous community. Miracles, love, faith, hope happen every day...thanks again to all of you.

Go Mud Fest 2009.

Suzi Townsell

for the DHS Volleyball staff

Minden