Oct. 14, 2021, Letters to the Editor

Growth ordinance untested

Editor:

An Oct. 7 R-C article on water and growth in the Carson Valley says, “‘The growth management ordinance seems like it’s working relatively effectively,’ Applied Analysis Principal Brian Gordon told attendees at the Critical Issues Conference.”

That ordinance went into effect in 2007. Perhaps Gordon could do us the favor of listing the years since in which the ordinance actually limited growth. I don’t believe there are any. And there likely never will be any because (1) the ordinance allows unused growth allocations to be carried forward and (2) its two percent annual limit is quite high, allowing a doubling of population every 35 years.

The truth is that there is no effective regulation limiting growth here. Growth is limited only by economic factors. If those turn against us, with higher demand leading to excessive new construction, we’re essentially defenseless.

Which is why the current board, in the face of an ongoing drought and ever-increasing traffic congestion, is rightly exploring whether there should be meaningful controls instead of the fictional one we have now. Something those who profit from growth will of course always resist through misinformation and obfuscation, such as telling us we have a limit that’s working when we don’t.

Terry Burnes

Gardnerville

Valley not exempt from climate change

Editor:

I feel I must absolutely thank our editor for his excellent article on the challenges our wondrous valley is facing now that climate change has arrived here.

Believe it or not, like it or not, want it or not, Carson Valley is not in any way exempt from climate change affecting the whole world now.

We need not look any further than the wildfires which were omnipresent all summer. Or the trickle going under the bridge on U.S. 395 which once was the Carson River. Or that the precipitation totals for Reno which are usually 7.3 inches per year were barely 3 inches this year. Or that Las Vegas is looking at severe cutbacks on its water supply which will compound our state's financial troubles.

The aquifer we use for so many things necessary for life itself here is quite finite depending on the snow and annual precipitation that arrives. From all indications we cannot and should not expect the aquifer to perform as it has in the historical past based on how climate change has already affected our immediate area.

It's going to take all of us to keep our precious aquifer where it can sustain life here. That includes residents, businesses, industry, and farmers and ranchers to help the aquifer sustain itself. The consequences without a water plan are that our high alpine desert will go back to what it once was.

Steve Lang

Minden

Toiyabe sidewalks need work

Editor:

I have been walking my dogs on the sidewalk on Toiyabe Avenue between the grade school and Waterloo since I have lived here. It used to be beautifully taken care of and I loved it. For the past two years it has deteriorated to the point it now just looks abandoned. Sprayed weeds, dead now, are everywhere. Debris from last year’s fallen leaves, dead branches, suckers from cottonwoods and Japanese elms shoot up all over, even in the middle of the beautiful bushes. Trees and bushes that were improperly trimmed lay dead. Broken drip irrigation shoots up in the air or out into the gutter.

I have called regarding this before. They say they are working on it but very little has been done. A few new plants have been planted. They don’t take away the sad look of that once beautiful sidewalk. Minden has a similar sidewalk that is beautifully maintained. Must have cost a lot of money to put them in. I would love to take pride in that walk again, I love my town.

Lastly, I don’t know who you are but it’s not OK and not your property to sneak in the night and shear off the beautiful lavender flowers for your use. You are destroying public property and hacking those lovely bushes to pieces. This is the third year in a row. happened the night before the Candy Dance in Genoa. Saw a lot of lavender there for sale … hmmm.

Rena Wiggins

Gardnerville

Good fences make good neighbors

Editor:

Moving the week before the pandemic stuck to beautiful Minden in the vibrant Carson Valley, it was evident that the Valley’s people are extremely warm and giving in every respect — from fire victims, donating supplies and food for those in need to making sure our police officers, firemen and health workers know how greatly they are valued and appreciated.

So many new people seeking to share in the wholesome life afforded in Douglas County causes one to ponder the feelings of farm loving families who have cherished the earth, tilled the dirt and raised cows, lambs, horses, chickens and allowed their dogs to roam freely on their land. Seeing three dogs running carefree in a pasture with limited fencing had caused no concern until this week.

Walking the same sidewalks since arriving in the Valley, my leashed small dog and I never felt threatened. However, this past Sunday while walking, a larger dog ran down an ungated driveway, left his farm, crossed the street barking loudly and attempted to bite my little companion. I grabbed my small dog up in my arms as the attack dog scratched my leg which later had a good-size bruise and 3-inch section of broken skin.

It must be difficult for those who have been in this Valley for so long to see fields and cow pastures turning into new neighborhoods. It must be hard for them having to censure the vast expanses of land which surrounded them for decades and decades. Notwithstanding, it would behoove us all to be aware of our shifting surroundings in order to allow for freedom to walk unafraid in public areas.

Robin L. Sarantos

Minden

Golf course ordinance a long road

Editor:

The golf course maintenance ordinance was adopted unanimously 5-0 by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners at their Oct. 7 meeting.

Thus concluded a process that began nearly two years ago in November 2019 when county commissioners tasked county staff to draft an ordinance.

To clarify, the new ordinance sets a residential public nuisance penalty of $250 a day maximum with a $25,000 civil penalty limit. Importantly, it also adds a new non-residential penalty of up to $750 per day with no civil penalty cap. This new nuisance penalty applies to golf courses, both open and closed.

Douglas County’s existing nuisance ordinance had a $150 per day maximum penalty with a $10,000 limit.

The golf course ordinance requires an ongoing maintenance plan in cases of golf course closure be submitted to the director of Douglas County Community Development. It applies to all seven golf courses in Douglas County — Carson Valley, Clear Creek, Edgewood, both Genoa Lakes and Ranch, Glenbrook, and Sunridge.

The ordinance would not have passed without the steadfast leadership of Douglas County Commission Chairman John Engels. Thanks also go to Commissioners Walt Nowosad, Wes Rice, Danny Tarkanian, and Mark Gardner for their support. And we thank Chief Civil Deputy DA Doug Ritchie for his skillful and even-handed work in drafting the adopted ordinance.

But most importantly, we thank the 686 golf course neighbors living alongside five Douglas County golf courses who expressed their support in writing. Without your continuing help we couldn’t have done it.

Jim Hartman

Genoa

Thanks to those supporting Tribe’s picnic

Editor:

On Sept. 23, the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California held its Annual Employee Appreciation Picnic at Lampe Park. The annual picnic is held to acknowledge all of the hard work put in by the numerous employees and departments of the Washoe Tribe.

The Washoe Tribe was very fortunate that during the pandemic services never stopped and it was thanks to all of our employees who continued to work together for the betterment of the Washoe Tribe. The 2020 annual picnic was canceled due to the pandemic.

Needless to say, this year’s picnic was refreshing to return to semi-normalcy while keeping in mind that we are still in a pandemic. While vaccinations are not a requirement at the Washoe Tribe, the Tribe partnered with Immunize Nevada to offer employees, and the public, an opportunity to get the COVID-19 vaccine during the event.

The picnic was enjoyed by all Tribal employees and Washoe Tribal Council members who attended. During the picnic, there were many raffle prizes given out, many of which were donated on behalf of local businesses.

The Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, Washoe Tribal Administration, and the Employee Appreciation Planning Committee would like to recognize and thank all of the following businesses for their generous donations and for making the raffle huge success: OI Coffee in Minden, Silver Strike Bowling Center in Gardnerville, Carson Valley Golf Course in Gardnerville, Carson Valley Swim Center in Minden, Home Depot in Carson City, Coffee on Main in Minden, Carson Valley Inn in Minden, Bella Vita Bistro in Carson City, The Grill Next Door in Garnerville, The Chocolate Shoppe in Gardnerville, Garibaldis Italian Kitchen in Carson City, Crysi’s Cake Scene in Gardnerville, Taylor’s Scissors ‘N’ Clippers in Minden, Sierra Select Cleaning in Gardnerville, Selena Doyle at Chase International Real State in Minden, Wa She Shu Travel Plaza in Gardnerville, Wa She Shu Casino in Gardnerville, Mica Chevron Gas Station in Carson City, Carson Smoke Shop in Carson City and Meeks Bay Resort in Tahoma, Calif.

Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California

Dresslerville

Great tour, Eileen

Editor:

Thank you to local historian, Eileen Cohen, for bringing her expertise as a tour guide and teacher to Sierra Nevada Republican Women. Eileen arranged and conducted a highly enjoyable bus tour of the Emigrant Trail held on Oct. 2.

Having been raised in Douglas County, I thought that I was pretty well versed in our county’s history. However, I learned much more, plus gained further appreciation for the emigrants and their encounters as Eileen told us why and where the Emigrant Trail actually started and described episodes on this trail winding through our valley.

Eileen is considering offering another historical tour next year. You can find out more about it by becoming a member of Sierra Nevada Republican Women. Our membership drive is underway, and for more information you can go to sierranvrepwomen.com.

Sondra Condron, Minden,

President, Sierra Nevada Republican Women

Thanks to East Fork for watching out

Editor:

A big shout-out to the East Fork Fire District for being on location at the site of an ongoing NV Energy line installation on Jacks Valley Road.

Locally located and Valley residents are still awaiting investigation results of two fires earlier this year at and near the installation site.

Ellie Waller

Jacks Valley