Carson leaders should listen to silent majority

Letter addressed to Mayor and the Board of Supervisors:

The bike path minority residents of Carson City are threatening another delay of the freeway we have needed for 20 years. I am disappointed that the board is falling prey to this special interest group's activities that are undermining the hard work of many people over the past 30 years to get the state and federal governments to approve this important project.

I have worked with several committees, including the chamber transportation committee, which have worked very hard to get this freeway started.

Now, you and this special interest group want to second-guess our efforts and destroy all the accomplishments we have made to achieve this important project.

It will be unsafe to have a bike/walking path this close to a freeway. I know this from 40 years' experience as a claims manager.

I am a bike rider, and I have no difficulty finding places to ride my bike in Carson City.

We have already lost the four lanes on Fifth Street because of this special interest group.

Automobile owners pay the taxes that provide the funds for streets and highways, not bike riders.

Bike riders are very irresponsible when they operate their bikes. This is why there are so many accidents involving bikes. Bike riders must be responsible for the operation of bicycles just as drivers are responsible for the operation of automobiles.

I am frustrated by the fact that minority groups seem to have more influence on officials in the USA than the silent majority who work hard and pay all the taxes. I am more frustrated and disappointed that Carson City officials have fallen into this trap.

Please do what is right for the majority of Carson City residents and let us get the freeway we need.

I have always supported you in your past efforts for what is best for Carson City. I regret that I must step in and point out the importance of correcting your mistake in supporting the bike/walking path people. This project should be completely separated from the freeway and the people who use this should obtain the funding for it.

Thank you for the many years of your past good intentions and efforts.