Letters to the editor

Memorial service full of dignity and grace

As I woke up Saturday morning, my heart was heavy and tears streamed down my face as today was Brandon Matthew Putzer's memorial service. I woke my two youngest children and hugged them tight, because I could, all the while knowing Matt and Lynette would never be able to hold Brandon again.

I thought of a million reasons not to go and face what was going to be a very difficult day. I thought of anything to avoid seeing two parents, our two friends, grief-stricken over the loss of their beautiful little boy. Looking at my own children's faces I knew the reason my husband Kevin and I needed to go. It was to be there in support of our friends, Matt, Lynette, Ashley, Randy and Nancy Putzer.

We dressed for the service, dropped our daughter off at her basketball game and told her "play this one for Brandon." We drove to the Carson Middle School in silence. As we arrived, (almost 45 minutes early) we were not surprised to see many people were already there. Matt, Lynette and Brandon have touched the lives of so many people.

As we took our seats, my husband said "please don't let them play Amazing Grace on the bagpipes" This was the first song played. My husband and I wept as did every one around us. The slide presentation of this amazing child's life was set to music that even the strongest of men couldn't help but tear up.

When the pastor called for Matt to speak, I couldn't help but wonder how would he ever be able to speak of his beautiful child that has been taken to Heaven at such a young age. He did, though. With such grace and dignity, thanking everybody from the Lyon County Sheriff's office, the paramedics for working so hard to save Brandon to all of the members of the Carson City Sheriff's office for their support.

Matt and Lynette, all our love and prayers are with you, Ashley and your family. Brandon was truly blessed to have two of the most wonderful parents a child could wish for. We were all blessed to have known Brandon Matthew Putzer!

KEVIN and SANDI BAILEY

Minden

Congratulations for great Band-o-rama

Congratulations to the Carson City School District band instructors for another great Band-o-rama. We know from first-hand experience how much work it is, but we can also tell you it is worth all the labor and frustration.

It is wonderful to hear all the students demonstrate their abilities and the hear the growth from one level to the next.

Keep up the great work. Because of your labor of love, our children will be wonderful adults. Kudos to all of you.

CAROL and RICHARD DOEDE

Carson City

Here's surefire wayto slow down traffic

Just have the Highway Patrol have a meth checkpoint in Pleasant Valley and you'll have nobody driving through there speeding .

BO H. JOHANSSON

Virginia City

Some questions on budget deficits, ethics

I have a few questions to ponder:

1. If some years there is a budget deficit and some years there is a surplus, why doesn't the government save and invest the surplus during the surplus years and then use it during the deficit years?

2. If highly trained professionals can't invest Social Security funds properly, why will untrained laymen be able to do better?

3. When the state controller was impeached for using her office staff for personal reasons, why was the impeachment dropped the day after her lawyer announced that he was going to survey all of the other officials' offices to see what percent personal usage was the norm?

BARBARA FLANAGAN

Gardnerville

Thanks for returning weather to back page

The weather is on the back page again. Thank you.

PETRIE BROWN

Carson City

Thanks for returning the weather reports to the back page.

Ron Kelly

Gardnerville

Green Power event was successful one

The staff and students of Carson Middle School would like to send special thanks to Sierra Pacific Power Co., Desert Research Institute, Wells Fargo, state legislators, Carson City officials and Carson City citizens who helped make the unveiling of our Green Power Project a great success.

PHYLLIS ATKINSON

Carson City