Oct. 29, 2020 Letters to the Editor

Asking for your vote

Editor:

Standing out on intersections of highways for four weeks is interesting. Saturday, standing by Lampe Park, a majority of people were very friendly. I received three bottles of water from voters to help me stay in the hot sun. One voter stopped saying “I’m a lifelong Republican, but I voted for you. You’ve turned politics in Douglas County on its head. Thanks for stepping up.” I felt my faith in the great people of this county being restored Saturday. I love this county and its wonderful courteous people.

My opponent’s campaign attacks/distortions have been constant. One correction: I said “I didn’t think that we got the best deal possible for RDA2 …the Event Center didn’t make sense to me.” I never agreed we should dissolve it. Mr. Nowosad (an ally of Mr. John Engels, Mr. Gardner and the GGG) got specific. Mr. Nowosad said “…from the Forum (debate) … Holt stood in favor of a ‘No’ vote on Redevelopment Area #2…” Sorry Mr. Nowosad, the RDA2 question was never asked at the GGG debate (Forum).

RDA2 is a perfect example of how I think. My information at that time was from the GGG. I thought they had good ideas for the future of Douglas County. Being a life long learner, I researched the county’s issues for the next six weeks for an average of 10 hours a day. Yes my opinions changed. I was wrong. The GGG ideas are horrible. RDA2 may not be the best deal we could have gotten, but it’s the best deal we’re going to get. For far too long, the valley has lived off of tax revenues from the Lake while ignoring their issues.

I support smart growth. We’ve been growing at a 1.7 percent rate for 10 years. The 2 percent maximum allowed by the “Sustainable Growth Initiative” is smart Growth. My opponent doesn’t seem to understand that we need some growth or we’ll lose services and pay higher taxes to maintain our safety services etc. He alternately supports zero or slower growth. Either will stagnate our economy causing job losses. He and the GGG don’t seem to understand or don’t care about the businesses and jobs. I do.

Finances? Mr. Gardner and Mr. Nowosad should explain donations from Shizuru, Starrett, Ronald Knecht, Muzzy and more before they throw stones. They’re owned by the GGG, especially the Staretts, Muzzys, Shizuru (Nelson).

At the Business Council debate, Mr. Gardner held up a spreadsheet with 8,500 homes approved (even the Record Courier stated that number was inflated with completed projects), Mr. Nowosad said 8,000. Now they’re saying 7,000. What’s the real number? They don’t know.

Again, I want to thank the great citizens of Douglas County for your support. I have very conservative/liberal supporters and everything in between. I have tried to keep my campaign as positive as possible. I want to be the common sense commissioner who is also civil. God bless America and God bless Douglas County.

Charles Holt

Ruhenstroth

Supporting Mark Gardner

Editor:

I’m writing in support of Mark Gardner, candidate for Commissioner District 3. Mark has run a straightforward campaign that prioritizes implementing goals to keep Douglas County safe, sound, and rural.

After examining the Contributions and Expense Reports for both Mark Gardner and his Libertarian opponent, Charles Holt, Mark’s financial support is coming almost exclusively from ordinary Douglas County voters who are alarmed that residential growth is rapidly becoming sprawl. I support Mark’s plan to tackle projects the outgoing board has ignored, including solutions to address the dangerously overcrowded Judicial and Law Enforcement Center building.

It’s ironic that Mr. Holt’s campaign is being funded in large part by the registered Republican owners of our local developer community. Mr. Holt supports what he calls “smart growth”, but with 7,000 homes approved already and traffic clogging 395 through town where, exactly, would he envision more residential building? Mr. Holt has reversed himself on two other key positions, now supporting the RDA2 tax grab and refusing to sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.

I urge the voters to support the candidate who has run a positive, transparent, and forward looking campaign that promises to keep our open spaces and support our first responders. Please vote for Mark Gardner, Commissioner District 3.

Maureen Morris

Gardnerville

Douglas needs Holt

Editor:

My lovely partner and I moved to the Carson Valley several years ago. One of the things I do when moving is to check the area demographics. We were pleased to see that our lovely valley is occupied with a majority of conservative minded folks. Our thinking was that conservatives are the group that will most likely support the values of liberty that we embrace. We have found that conservatives tend to believe in Ben Franklin’s old adage “Mind Your Own Business.” Conservatives favor fair elections. Conservatives favor free speech.

We were wrong in our assumptions. Apparently, in Douglas County, conservatives are vindictive and shallow. They are afraid to listen to other political opinions. They say they favor a “great America” yet act to suppress discourse. They are a shameful lot.

What this county needs is a commissioner in tune with the people. We need a commissioner that has the tenacity to say that things are wrong and work toward getting those thing fixed. We need a man like Charles Holt.

Dave Jones

Minden

Backing Tod Young for judge

Editor:

To provide this letter with relevant context, a bit of my personal background is necessary. I began my law enforcement career in 1968, starting at a small city police department in Los Angeles County, after graduating from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Academy. During my nine years of service for that department, I testified in dozens and dozens of cases, before many different judges, in both the Municipal Courts and the Superior Courts at the South Bay Judicial District in the city of Torrance.

After leaving L.A. and moving to South Lake Tahoe, I became affiliated with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. WhiIe in L.A., my only contact with the judges was when appearing in their courtrooms to testify, and it was strictly professional. My impressions of them were a result of my observations of how they managed their courtrooms from the bench, and how they interacted with attorneys, defendants, and witnesses.

I have enjoyed a much more personal relationship with the judges here in Douglas County since beginning with the Sheriff’s Office in 1979. In some instances those relationships began when working with them before they became judges, while they were employed by the Sheriff’s Office or the District Attorney’s Office. Some years after leaving the Sheriff’s Office I was recruited to become a part time Court Security Officer. During the nearly 14 years I’ve been working for Douglas County’s court system, I’ve enjoyed the opportunity of getting to know the judges aside from their role as legal professionals; we’ve had discussions sharing personal feelings and beliefs, talks about our families, and involvement in our hobbies and recreational activities.

There’s no doubt that Judge Young’s legal background and experience are impeccable, however, I feel he brings something more important to the bench. Judge Young impresses me in that he sincerely and genuinely does all he can to ensure that everybody appearing before him is treated fairly. I’ve watched him struggling to achieve the best decision while evaluating facts and investigating different perspectives on the matter before him. That’s something I don’t think is emphasized enough when every decision a judge renders has a significant effect on somebody’s life. I believe he’s a genuinely good person who always strives to do the right thing for all parties involved.

Joel S. Brodkey

Gardnerville

A small price to preserve open space

Editor:

Like most Carson Valley residents, I love the open spaces and rural character that still define Douglas County. It is one of the aspects of living here that I most treasure. Our last, best chance to preserve this open space is to vote YES on County Question 3.

This Open Space Plan would purchase development rights from willing sellers of agricultural acreage. This would be funded by an additional 0.25 percent increase in the sales tax, which equates to $2.50 on $1,000, though many important exclusions apply. It is estimated that this would cost the average household about $30/year, or less than 10 cents a day. To many people, including myself, that is a small cost for such a worthwhile endeavor. Non-residents and visitors will pay a fair share as well.

I was disappointed to read a letter opposing this ballot question in last week’s R-C. Everyone, is welcome to their own opinion, but not to their own facts. There were so many misrepresentations of fact in that letter, that I feel compelled to correct the record. Anything below in quotes is from that letter.

The letter states that the increase in sales tax is on “anything that isn’t food.” Yes, it is true there is no sales tax on food (therefore no increase), which is often the largest weekly expenditure for many families. However, there is also no sales tax on many other categories, including utilities (electric, phone, gas/propane, etc.) and services, such as a plumber, accountant, gym membership or visit to the vet. These are also both large budget items on which families spend money (again, therefore no increase).

“A sales tax will go on forever.” This is not true. Actually, this small increase in the sales tax is currently scheduled to terminate (sunset) less than 9 years from now. Please read the ballot question.

“I’m all for open space…. Find another revenue source.” The writer suggests: “Let a rancher donate land. Let a developer pay in fees for it.” Those are great ideas, but unrealistic. If we want the benefit of enjoying the open space and rural character, rather than watching as our valley is slowly paved over and covered with homes and shopping malls, then we should be willing to pay a small amount to support it.

“What if you need a car repair?” Only the replacement parts would be taxed, not labor, which is usually the largest cost of a repair. “Heaven forbid if you need a newer car?” You will be buying a new car in Carson, Reno or elsewhere, not in Douglas. The sales tax in both Carson and Reno is higher than in Douglas even if this modest increase is approved. It is unlikely you will buy a used car at a dealer in Douglas, and if you purchase from a “for sale by owner” there is no sales tax. “You need to hire a plumber or electrician.” Again, there is no sales tax on their services.

For me, the opportunity to preserve our open space and rural character is priceless. It is after all, the reason most of us live here. I hope you will join me and the many others who are voting yes on County Question 3.

Mary Bennington

Gardnerville

Backing Sommers, Bellona

Editor:

As a 28-year resident and a former volunteer firefighter and fire chief in Johnson Lane and 21-year Captain/Fire Investigator for the East Fork Fire District, I urge you to vote for these two candidates running for election to the Fire Board.

Mike Sommers is a former volunteer firefighter for 20 years with the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District. He also served for 10 years on their Fire District Board. He has an outstanding backround in Fire District finance and Fire Prevention Programs-particularly his involvement and support with the longest running local government wildland fuels reduction program in Nevada. His opponent, while taking credit for operating the fuels program in Carson City, has done little to advance the cause of fuels reduction in our Fire District for the past two years. The wild fire in the south Valley cost over $6 million to suppress and contain. Mike Sommers has listed “Enhance our fire protection and defensible space” as a primary goal if elected. As citizens you can rely on Mike to move forward, not look backward to improve our Fire District Fire Prevention/Fuels Reduction programs – which have languished for the past 10 years under current District leadership.

John Bellona is a former East Fork Volunteer firefighter and Ranchos Volunteer Fire Chief. He has been a Training Officer, Battalion Chief for Nevada Division of Forestry, and returned to us as a firefighter and Captain with East Fork Fire. John’s extensive knowledge of Fire District operations and personnel will be a valuable addition to our Board .

John’s opponent seems to think he is running only to increase costs to the District. John has literally donated thousands of hours to the creation, build up, operation and training of our East Fork volunteers and career staff. His honesty and creativity are needed to keep our District operating efficiently and effectively. John knows this includes fuels reduction and fire prevention programs within the District. With a Legislative Session coming in 3 months, having John Bellonna and Mike Sommers on the Board to support Bernie Curtis, Jacques Etchegoyen and Barbara Griffin will help our Board guide the District forward in a time of financial as well as health care crisis.

Terry Taylor

Minden

Trump stands for 2nd Amendment

Editor:

Donald Trump is standing between us and the destruction of the 2nd Amendment under a Biden/Harris Administration.

“Assault” weapon is a term used by the left to unfairly mischaracterize certain firearms, such as the AR-15, which is nothing more than a semi-automatic rifle. The aim is to create fear and gain public support for unconstitutional anti-gun policies.

The following is part of Biden’s “gun safety” agenda:

Hold gun manufacturers accountable by getting rid of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. This would make gun manufacturers responsible for the misuse of their regulated, perfectly functional, and safe products by a careless gun owner. Could you imagine this happening to Ford or Chevrolet? A string of endless civil cases could potentially put gun manufacturers out of business.

Get “weapons of war” off our streets. Joe Biden led the Clinton gun ban in 1994 on so-called “assault” weapons. This would be another attempt to ban the manufacture and sale of “assault” weapons and “high capacity” magazines.

Buy back “assault” weapons and “high capacity” magazines that are already in our community. This gives people the option of “selling” their “assault” weapons to the government or registering them under the National Firearms Act (of 1934). Registration would force gun owners to pay a fee to maintain possession of each “banned gun” and possibly for each “high capacity” magazine. This could be cost-prohibitive for many people. And it would be a felony to disregard this law.

Reduce “stockpiling” of weapons. Biden supports legislation restricting an individual from purchasing more than one firearm per month.

Keep guns out of dangerous hands. Reinstate the Obama-Biden policy of keeping guns out the hands of certain people unable to manage their affairs for mental reasons. This policy was detrimental to many American veterans. Any veteran that chose to have someone else manage their finances was stripped of their right to own a firearm for life. Trump reversed this unfair policy. A law exists that says that if you are judged as mentally incompetent then you cannot own a gun.

Close the hate crime loophole. This clause may undermine both the first and second amendments. Biden wants to enact legislation prohibiting an individual who has been convicted of a misdemeanor “hate” crime from purchasing or possessing a gun.

This is dangerous. A person could be banned for life from owning a firearm simply for using a word, phrase, or holding a political view deemed unacceptable and thus a “hate” crime by the progressive left. Where will the line be drawn between “hate” speech becoming “hate” crime?

End the on-line sale of firearms and ammunition. Biden would enact legislation prohibiting all online sales of firearms, ammunition, and gun parts. Need a magazine or a scope, no deal!

This agenda has nothing to do with gun safety and everything to do with infringing on our right to own guns and protect ourselves. Save our 2nd Amendment by voting for Donald Trump.

Joe Ruisi

Gardnerville

Who gets a tax hike?

Editor:

One, Biden states he will only raise taxes more than $400,000 a year and he will repeal the Trump tax cut. So what will this repeal to those making less than $400,000. It will raise their taxes also (i.e., 28 percent tax rate reduced to 21 percent by Trump, then raised back to 28 percent).

Two Biden states he did not ever receive money from China or Ukraine. True probably, but I would presume he received a check from Hunter.

D. Gerald Bing

Minden

Band put on great performance

Editor:

On a recent Friday night, against unlikely odds, the Douglas High Marching Band put on a performance that was both inspiring and spectacular. Many in the community may already know that due to COVID restrictions the football, and therefore the marching band, season was suspended. Sadly, the football team had no recourse. Initially it seemed the same for the band. But not for long. Mrs. Owens, the band leader, had other thoughts. She rallied the troops to find out who would be interested in practicing for over two months to put on one performance. The performance would be at the stadium with minimal spectators and no football team. And, oh by the way, practice would start in the scorching heat of summer into the chill of autumn. How many band members took her up on her offer? All that practice for one performance? Well, you may have guessed it – all members chose to take on the challenge.

Each student surely had their own reasons for saying yes. But, I would like to think part of it was perhaps a way of honoring the soon to be retired Mrs. Owens. Mrs. Owens has been an iconic presence in the Douglas County School District music program for many years. She is simply one of those teachers who truly dedicates her heart and soul to reach every student and bring out the best in them. The list of students whose lives she has touched is countless.

I was one of the fortunate ones to attend the performance. While watching I felt a surge of pride for my own child, for the band, and especially for Mrs. Owens. Did she really have to do this? She could have taken the easy path towards retirement. My thinking would be yes because, being who she is, she not really had no other choice.

Doug Odell

Gardnerville

Thanks to Main Street for Wine Walk

Editor:

I would like to thank Matt Bruback and Main Street Gardnerville for sponsoring the 2020 Wine Walk in Gardnerville. This year has been difficult for many families and business, but having some sense of normalcy was great to be a part of. The beer and champagne vendors were great additions this year allowing more variety for all to enjoy. The community even came out in what seemed record numbers despite heat and smoke earlier this summer. These events and the community involvement really make me appreciate the decision I made in relocating to the Carson Valley and starting my business in our great little nook in Nevada.

COVID has impacted how we live our daily lives and being able to spend a few hours on the third Thursday of the each month during the summer allowed for some much needed fresh air and socializing. I saw friends hanging out and families enjoying their time outside of their homes. I look forward to Matt and Main Street Gardnerville organizing the 2021 Wine Walk.

Warm regards,

Alex M. Uribe

Gardnerville