Gibbons should be recalled; Marvel should step down
Gov. Gibbons' tax break on his Elko County land is a sweetheart deal that calls into question Gibbons' fitness to hold office. The tax deal sullies the reputation of the Nevada governor's office. As Nevada's chief executive, Gibbons should be demonstrating support for the laws of Nevada. Instead he demonstrates contempt for them by exploiting what amounts to a loophole. The tax break demonstrates Gov. Gibbons' self-entitled, elitist view of how he should conduct himself. By securing the tax deal with the help of fellow tax commission member John E. Marvel, the governor has created the appearance of gross impropriety. It looks like good ol' boy Nevada cronyism at its worst.
Mr. Marvel, being a voting member of the tax commission charged with preventing this very type of thing, has compromised the viability of his membership of that commission and should step down.
In a time of falling tax revenues, it is very hypocritical of the Governor to be weaseling his way out of paying taxes to a county that could no doubt use the revenue. There is real human cost of the tax break. The unpaid $5,000 would have gone to help fund schools, library services, pave roads, etc. Perhaps the governor feels these things are not important or that paying his fair share is somehow beneath him.
Is a self-serving, elitist governor who seeks tax breaks that compromise the quality of life of rural Nevadans good for Nevada? If you feel Governor Gibbons' conduct is unacceptable, I encourage you to sign the recall petition at www.thepetitionsite.com/1/recall-nevada-governor-jim-gibbons
JAMES STRANGE
Carson City
Mayoral candidate has corrected signs
I respect Thursday's decision by the Secretary of State concerning the wording of my campaign signs. According to the Secretary, the signs can be corrected by "placing the appropriate stickers on the campaign signs." The opinion further stated, "Because you have been cooperative throughout this process, this office is confident that you will correct this issue and no further action from this office is warranted." I have a map indicating where signs from our campaign have been placed and every one of these were corrected Thursday evening.
It is unfortunate that the original article in the Appeal made it appear as though I had a personal issue with Alan Glover, the City Clerk. Nothing could be further from the truth. On the contrary, Mr. Glover has been a pleasure to work with and I commend him for acting quickly on this matter. The original complaint regarding these signs was made by a "concerned citizen," not Mr. Glover. The Appeal then crafted a story and subsequent opinion so as to make it seem that Mr. Glover himself was taking issue with the signs. That was not true. My original comments were aimed at the anonymous citizen and the reporter himself, not Mr. Glover.
As the first candidate to announce a run for mayor, our campaign signs were ordered long before I filed and received the "Campaign Guide." The guide references NRS 294A.340, which states that advertising cannot be used "that implies that the candidate is the incumbent." There is no specific requirement on how to achieve this. Once we were made aware of this statute, a decision was made to go forward with the placement of these signs, being as the first word on the sign is "vote." The word "elect" has now also been added to the signs to comply with the Secretary's opinion.
I look forward to the remaining days in the campaign and hope that during this time we can focus on the issues that are important to Carson City.
Sean Lehmann
Carson City
Gibbons wasn't the only name on the ballot
Everyone who has been critical of Governor Gibbon's personal life should remember that he was not the only choice on the ballot. Besides, we all know that a divorce is so easy to obtain in Nevada that it should provide no distraction from his ability to perform his duties.
In addition, thanks to his state provided cell phone, he can text or talk to his personal friend whenever he is "lonely," in need of advice and/or moral support.
JEANNE LARSON
Wellington
Thoughts on Bill Swackhamer, and banking monopolies
In your July 13 edition I was saddened to read about the passing of Bill Swackhamer. Bill dedicated himself to 40 years of public service; 26 as a Nevada State Assemblyman and 14 as Nevada's Secretary of State. He was a living legend.
Thinking of Swackhamer reminds me of an incident that took place in 1985 when I was a state assemblyman. I was actively fighting the passage of a "branch banking" bill. Up until that time, all Nevada banks were locally owned and operated. Having researched branch banking, I concluded that it wasn't in Nevada's best interests. I didn't want us to end up like Canada with a dozen banks in the entire nation. This banking bill was being pushed by the owner of Nevada First Thrift, who wanted to sell-out to the Bank of America, who would then change NFT's name to B. of A., and have ready-made branches from which to operate in Nevada.
Anyway, when the bill came up for consideration in the Assembly I spearheaded the movement to kill it. My impassioned "speech" took about 15 minutes. We then voted and killed the bill by a margin of three votes. Bill Swackhamer came up to me later and said that my speech was the best he had ever heard in legislative chambers in all of his years there. I was stunned. I thought he was putting me on but he repeated it in front of several others.
But three days later the bill came back to the Assembly for reconsideration. Special interests were arm twisting. I made another plea to kill it and we did, but by only one vote this time. On my way out of chambers following the session I was stopped by Jim Joyce, Nevada's premier lobbyist, who was hired by Nevada First Thrift to get this banking bill passed. He looked at me with a big grin and said, "Bobby, it ain't over 'till the fat lady sings." Sure enough, the bill resurfaced for a third consideration " almost unheard of, and this time it passed by one vote and became law. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how branch banking came to Nevada. And yes, our nation is on the way to a banking monopoly. Do you know the name of your bank this week?
Getting back to Bill Swackhamer, he was both a statesman and dedicated public servant " a rare combination. He will be sorely missed by those of us who knew him.
BOB THOMAS
Carson City
Dating should be a low priority for a married governor
Tears of empathy welled up in my eyes while reading the sad tale of Gov. Gibbons and his impending divorce and desire to not be alone in life. Having gone through the pains of divorce I can relate. However with this said there seems to be a major disconnect with the governor's logic.
Ironic it is that not too many weeks ago he emphasized how important it was to keep his personal life private. Now here he sits looking like Joe Cool telling us all how important it is to keep his social life intact during this personal turmoil. So moved was I that I immediately contacted eHarmony.com (an online dating service). I tried unsuccessfully to set him up with a year's subscription but when it came to filling out his biographic profile I failed miserably, and then when I arrived at the part that asked "What type of companion are you seeking," I was really at a loss.
It seems that even his governorship is a bit uncertain what he wants for a companion. He states he is looking for a friend, someone he can come home and talk to. Somebody he can share the experience of the day. Isn't that special? Would that include sharing with your "friend" the voluminous text messages to your paramours while on official business?
You state that you want people to know that you are "just like the rest of us." Dear Gov. Gibbons, I have a clue for you, you are not just like the rest of us. Most of us have morality and a sense of priorities. How crude of you to think that it is more important to continue dating rather than addressing the fiscal woes facing our state. Are you an adolescent high school student that has recently come in contact with your emerging hormonal chemistry?
If you haven't thought about this, let me help, "You are STILL MARRIED." Are you so impatient that you cannot wait until the divorce is finalized to start spreading your wings? Did you use this interview to cloak the hidden message that you are seeking resumes from any and all eligible (and perhaps some not so eligible) females?
In your own words you have convinced me what I have known all along " you have no clue what it takes to be a strong governor. Shame on you and shame on all those who voted for you.
JOEL FLAMENBAUM
Carson City
Go slow, you'll save money and live longer
With the cost of gas so high, I'm sure we could all keep a bit more of our income in our pockets by stopping our aggressive driving. In case there's a question about what aggressive driving is, I'll mention a couple of things that might fall in that category.
When the traffic signal turns green, thinking you're Big Daddy Don Garlits might get you going faster, but unless gas cost means nothing to you, you'd save a lot by simply starting out a little slower.
If you think someone's going too slow because they're "only" going the speed limit, and maybe you can make them go faster, like you, by coming up real close, braking, then repeating the process over and over until you can finally "floor it" and get to the next traffic signal faster, you'd save money by simply relaxing a little and going the speed limit.
These are probably just a few of the examples. Slow down folks! You'll live longer, and have a little more money to enjoy that longer life.
HAROLD LASHIER
Carson City