Letters to the Editor

If city owns sidewalk, shouldn't it shovel?

I bought a home and land in 1972. I own the land from my back property line to the paved street. Now along comes the city and says, "We are putting in a sidewalk." I tell them I don't want a sidewalk. They say it is required by some ordinance or rule or something. OK, they put in a sidewalk, even though they took 3 feet from my property to do so, without reimbursement, I might add.

Now along comes an assessment to pay for the sidewalk that I did not want in the first place! OK, now I pay for this sidewalk, and by definition if I pay for something it belongs to me. I put up barricades on each end with a sign that states "private sidewalk, no trespassing!" Along comes the city and says, "You can't do that." I say "Why?" They say it is a city sidewalk. Excuse me, it seems to me that I paid for it. Doesn't matter - it is a city sidewalk.

Now it snows (can you see what's coming?), and I do not shovel the snow from the sidewalk. Along comes the city and says, "You have to shovel the snow from the sidewalk." I say, "According to the city, it is their sidewalk so have them shove(l) it!" No, according to some ordinance or rule or something, when it snows, the ownership of the sidewalk reverts back to the homeowner, and he must clean the walk. OK, after I clean the thing, the city takes it back over!

Therefore, the next time it snows, I am not clearing the sidewalk, and since then it belongs to me, I will put up a barricade and sign that says "Private sidewalk, no trespassing, snow not removed beyond this point." Now what? It's covered with snow so it is my walk, therefore, I will not allow anyone to walk on it. This, of course, will make the pedestrians walk in the street, which will be more dangerous since the city will not get around to plowing until, like, June!

Ah, the incongruity of it all!

MIKE SHAUGHNESSY

Carson City

Rumsfeld's comment shows ill preparation

We should all thank Public Broadcasting Station Channel 5 for bringing out both sides of this debacle in Iraq.

On Dec. 9, they replayed part of the exchange between Rumsfeld, secretary of defense, and Specialist 4 Wilson on duty in Iraq. The defense secretary's words: "You go to war with the army you have." What a stupid remark!

Don't you understand after more than1,000 of our troops have died and more than 9,000 wounded, that this is still the wrong war at the wrong time? Our troops were not adequately provided the armor, flak suits and whatever else was needed for their safety. That famous foot in the mouth utterance by G.W. Bush, president and commander in chief, "Mission accomplished" a year ago will forever haunt him, maybe.

Also, to the 51 percent who voted on "values" to put that gang back in office, I pose this question: Are you satisfied that this war, like Vietnam, is a quagmire? Why is it that death has followed this president since he was governor of Texas, when he stood by and saw 154 humans put to death, some of them are believed not to have had proper legal defense. If it had not been for a professor and his students, legal murder would not have slowed down. Hooray for those gallant people at Northwestern University and the ones who follow them. I say, resign Mr. Bush, Mr. Cheney and Sec. Rumsfeld.

W. LLOYD DeGRAW

Carson City

Looking for sailor who was at Pearl Harbor

Dec. 7, 1941,"A date that will live in infamy." Some time ago, I discovered among my possessions a military aircraft piston measuring 51Ú2 inches in diameter and 41Ú2 inches in height. On the outside of the metal was engraved, 'Remember Pearl Harbor, Made in Japan, finished at the Battle of Pearl Harbor, t.h. Dec. 7, 1941 07:55 a.m., William R. Baker, A.M.M. 3/c NAS Pearl Harbor."

A friend who knew that I was retired military had given me the aircraft piston for a souvenir. After it sat on a shelf in my computer room several years, I passed it along to a chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Inc.

I was informed that several conservators, curators and archivists in Tucson, Ariz., authenticated it, and that the piston was definitely from a Japanese Zero aircraft.

I received a letter from the PHSA National Storekeeper stating that after the piston was viewed at a Survivors National Convention, it would be placed on permanent display at the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial Museum in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

It is evident that Navy Aviation Machinist Mate Third Class William R. Baker was at the battle of Pearl Harbor and recovered this Japanese aircraft engine part.

I have attempted to locate Mr. Baker to advise him of the disposition of this unique piece of history, but have been unsuccessful thus far.

If anyone knows the whereabouts of Mr. Baker or his family, please advise me in care of the Nevada Appeal.

RMC EMORY LEE CREWS

USCG (ret.)

Carson City