Letters to the editor for Sunday, May 29, 2016

Memorial Day

How can we honor

This Memorial Day?

With their sacrifice

They paved our way.

Fly a flag, shake a hand

With a fine veteran

Who fought for our land.

It’s such a small tribute

To set aside this day

But what a huge sacrifice

They have made.

Yes, all the brave men and women

Who have gone before

Our blessings to them and their families

God bless them all!

Jenny Schnabel

Carson City

Anderson Ranch has served people of Carson

I am grateful to the Anderson family for the years we have enjoyed living near their fields. Our children grew up watching eagles soar, hawks diving for mice, listening to red-winged blackbirds, spotting deer with fawns, coyotes, cattle, sheep, and others.

Each year we looked forward to the arrival of cows, viewed calves at birth and watched them chase each other in circles. We were careful not to disturb cattle and neighbors rescued calves caught in barbed wire. We watched the grass grow tall and waved to the rancher cutting bales of hay.

The outcry in response to the proposed plan is a tribute to these special fields. Yes, land has been sold over the years and homes have been built, diminishing meadows. Is the only choice to continue doing the same until there is no space left, or is there remote possibility of preserving these fields? I respect the fact this land is Andersen property and it is their right to develop. If developed as proposed, west side Carson City will lose its character. The large, dense facility will define Carson City as a senior destination rather than attracting a diversified population. I know young professionals with careers in Carson City who purposely choose to live in Reno. I don’t see the current plan as best for Carson City’s future.

Thank you to the Andersen family for what we have treasured, and it is my hope further considerations can be made.

Sue Knaus

Carson City

Account of Nevada Democratic convention

The rules for the three-step process for the Nevada Democratic caucuses were illegally changed by the party after the first two steps had already been taken. Also, the rules for the convention itself were non-parliamentary, non-democratic, and dictatorial in nature.

One stipulation in these rules was that all votes were to be by voice, with the chair ruling on the outcome with no recourse. At the first voice vote at approximately 9:45 a.m., it was not clearly apparent that the ayes prevailed. However, the chair ruled that they had, without the proper parliamentary procedure of a standing division of the house — an actual count of the votes would not be allowed to be undertaken under any circumstances. Understandably thereafter, the voice votes got louder and rowdier, since no other recourse was available. The chair ruled that the ayes had prevailed in passing the convention temporary rules to permanent, and the temporary chair to permanent, even though it was clearly not evident that was the case.

The chair allowed for the disenfranchisement of not only the delegates seated, but also of the more than 50 delegates that were “de-certified” even though they had been previously certified at the county level. I want to state clearly and positively that no chairs were thrown. There is no video proof of a chair being thrown at the convention, however there is video proof of the convention being thrown by the Chair.

Signed,

Bruce Comer

Washoe County Democratic delegate to the state convention

Vote PK O’Neill out of Nevada Legislature

In 2014, when first seeking election to Assembly District 40, P.K. O’Neill promised no new taxes for Nevadans. His campaign literature stated, this (margin) tax could be a death knell for the state’s economy and, no margin tax alternative.

In no small part because of Mr. O’Neill’s stance against the tax, voters elected him to be their representative. Then, during the 2015 Legislative Session, P.K. betrayed his constituents and voted for the largest tax increase in Nevada history which included the Commerce Tax (a margin tax alternative).

Mr. O’Neill is now seeking re-election. In one recent mailer he states, “The Commerce Tax affects 6 percent of the business community — those businesses that have revenues over $4 million per year in Nevada.”

Wrong! Do you have a business? No matter what size business, you have to file a Commerce Tax return. Are you a 1099 employee? You need to file. Own rental property? You file, too. Filing will incur expenses of both time and accountant fees. Even “mom and pops” will be affected.

Don’t own a business? Think you’ll get a free pass? Think again. Have a cell phone? Ever eat at a chain restaurant? Buy clothing, appliances, a car? You’ll see either a line item “commerce tax fee” or increased prices. Businesses paying the tax will pass it along to consumers.

We cannot afford to have P.K. O’Neill serve another term. Vote him out. Replace him with someone who will respect the wishes of the electorate.

Karen Claudino

Carson City