April 23, 2025, R-C Letters to the Editor

4-H sewers serve

Editor:

I would like to recognize the Douglas County 4-H Sewing Club and their hard work to fulfill a club community service project this last month. Several Douglas County 4-Hers and local 4-H Volunteers gathered at the Douglas County Community Center to sew over 40 pillowcases for patients at Renown Children’s Hospital. This is such an incredible group of youth and families, taking time out of their day to give back to the families in the hospital with their children. Thank you all for your efforts and making another child’s day a little brighter by providing them a beautifully handmade pillowcase. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and does not go unnoticed! 

Tara Sallee

Douglas County 4-H Community Educator

Gardnerville

Dissolve VHRs not VHR advisors

Editor:

When I was Chairman of the Board I introduced legislation to end Vacation Home Rentals. in Douglas County, at the Lake completely. They were dissolving the community, inviting drug and sex trafficking, disturbing the tranquility of residents and 75 percent were owned by Californians. Chairwoman Hales is really announcing the end of any restrictions on VHR activity. It was always a fight with the Californians and by announcing dissolving the Vacation Home Rental Committee she is giving up the fight against special interests and demonstrating a complete disregard for Lake and County residents. Any commissioner who votes in favor of dissolving the VHR Committee should be voted out of office...they only represent special interests and not county residents.

The Californian owners sued Douglas County (nice neighbors) in Federal Court. The Federal judged sided with Douglas County that the vacation home rentals were in clear violation of county code Title 20 Zoning and conducting a commercial operation in a residential area. Why doesn’t Ms. Hales dissolve Vacation Home Rentals and not the VHR Committee? Whose side are you really on?

John Engels

Gardnerville

Great performance

Editor:

My friend and I went to the matinee on April 5 at Douglas High and were delighted with the performance.  We were not related to anyone, but just went because I saw it in The Record-Courier.  The four sisters were aptly portrayed by students.  I can’t give their names because I turned in the program as requested to reuse. The costumes were appropriate for the period represented.  And it was interesting to see the girls object to issues like not being able to go to college. One highlight was the “understudy” for the German Professor. He did an excellent job.  

All in all, it was a wonderful experience, and I will be looking forward to attending other plays at Douglas High.  

Terry Cuyler

Minden

Protect our children

Editor:

In February, I stopped by Douglas High School and followed up by sending an email to Superintendent Frankie Alvarado inquiring about the district’s policies to respond to immigration enforcement. DHS staff at the front office was very kind and responsive, albeit somewhat unconcerned with a potential ICE raid at Douglas County schools.  

In response to my email, Mr. Alvarado evaded my questions about specific actions to protect students. I asked for a copy of the email that was sent to all staff members regarding what to do in case of a raid; he said that was internal communication and refused to share it.  I felt somewhat brushed off when he added “Sheriff Coverley has said that enforcement issues are unlikely to occur at our schools.”

In light of hundreds of college students losing their student visas, approximately a dozen students and faculty having been detained, and at least four students being transferred across the country to different detainment facilities having been accused of breaking no laws, I wonder if Sheriff Coverley and Mr. Alvarado simply didn’t understand the scope and cruelty of the administration’s immigration enforcement practices.

For example, Mahmoud Khalil a green card holder, legal resident, and married to a US citizen has been detained more than one month, is not accused of any unlawful activities, and risks missing the birth of his child due this month. From detention facility in Louisiana, he is legally fighting the government’s attempt to deport him.

I fear for what’s next from this administration’s immigration enforcement.

I hope that Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Douglas County School District will take this threat seriously and commit to protecting our students and community from what has proven to be the inhumane and unlawful actions of ICE.  

Keep ICE out of school.

Kendra Wilson

Indian Hills