Letters to the Editor Sept. 9

Furlong and staff handled situation very well

I would like to thank our sheriff, Ken Furlong, and all his officers who worked with him on Tuesday at the IHOP shooting. Their response to this crime was so wonderful, they took control of the situation and handled things in a manner to protect our town.

He stood and talked to the news media and answered all questions well. Thank you for your help.

Kathy Block

Carson City

President of CTRH proud of way employees handled Tuesday's events

Sept. 6 started out for me just as it did for most everyone in our community. It was the return to work after a holiday weekend, but that, of course, quickly changed as the tragic events of that day unfolded. The situation quickly evolved from a shooting incident that might involve patients needing care at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center, to one that put the medical center into a high state of emergency response.

The staff of Carson Tahoe responded to the escalating nature of the tragedy in the manner I have come to expect. They were calm and professional as victims were received, and employees in virtually every job were impacted. Our medical staff immediately directed its attention to the needs of the patients and performed exemplary acts of clinical excellence and compassion.

In a situation such as this, Carson Tahoe's first imperative is to provide for the care of our patients. Along with that comes the support needed by their extended families. Carson Tahoe coordinated its response to this tragedy along with 11 agencies including other health providers, the military, and law enforcement.

Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare and its affiliates employ 1,515. Therefore personal connections to the event were significant. Staff put aside their own need to grieve and process feelings of shock until they had first provided for the needs of patients and their families.

I am extraordinarily proud of how the team of staff and physicians handled all aspects of this tragedy.

Ed Epperson,president and CEO

Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare

Law enforcement was very caring during Tuesday aftermath

I, along with other area clergy, volunteered to serve as a chaplain following the shooting in Carson City on Tuesday, and counseled with witnesses at the sheriff's office while they were waiting to be interviewed.

I am writing to commend especially Sheriff Ken Furlong, his deputies and the other law enforcement agencies that coordinated interviews with the witnesses and survivors. I was impressed by the professionalism and training of those who coordinated the many needs of those who witnessed the tragic events.

I was also impressed by the representatives of the district attorney's victim-witness services office who met with the witnesses and helped with their needs.

Carson City can beproud of the caring and competent law enforcement professionals who serve thiscommunity.

Rev. Richard Snyder

Carson City

Many shooting questions will go unanswered

As the events unfolded on Sept. 6 at the IHOP in Carson City, the question on everyone's mind was why? Why did he do it? Why the National Guardsmen? Why IHOP? Why? Why? Why? We may never know the answer to these questions and many others that we have.

The FBI spokesman said guardsmen were not targeted, and this was not an act of terrorism.

I disagree. The number of guardsmen killed or wounded would seem to suggest that they were targeted.

The very act itself is terrorism, and we are all its victims.

When a National Guardsman walks into a restaurant we happen to be in, we should all stand and applaud. The very act of putting on that uniform every day defies terrorism.

This is America and we will not allow terrorists, whatever form they take, to win.

Thomas Woods

Dayton