Letters to the editor 4-4

New taxes pave the way

for civilization, not socialism

As the Senate Finance and Assembly Joint Committees met recently to make crucial budget decisions, I prayed that their constitutions were sturdy. It is their duty to start Nevada back on the road to fiscal stability and social responsibility.

This state needs to be prodded and led into the 21st century. We must not remain complacently at the bottom of the good lists and the top of the bad. Nevada needs a new and steady revenue stream " yes, new taxes " to fund those functions which are the proper responsibility of a state to oversee. This is not the road to socialism; it is the road to civilization.

SARAH LAYER

Carson City

Ignorance is always

our worst enemy

In answer to Mary Santomauro's letter to President Obama, I refer to her lack of information and ignorance of what she speaks to:

1. The Declaration of Independence specifically does not include any religious concepts to be regulated by law because each of us had our own belief as to what is right or wrong according to our personal spiritual belief.

2. As a retired social service worker in Los Angeles County, I know first hand the trauma, tragedy and deprivation of those who are raised with your exact religious definition of what is "right and wrong," rather than what is reasonable and supportive in this shrinking economic environment.

We are told to "Judge not, lest we be judged." I work every day on that one. I know ignorance is our worst enemy, but self-willful ignorance, refusing to be knowledgeable about what concerns not only our immediate families and our counties, states and country's economics, but our entire planet's survival, to me is inexcusable. I wish my Father in Heaven my blessings if He can touch hearts and enlighten some minds while we still have a bit of time. Love and blessings.

NIKKI CAMPBELL

Carson City

Better education for children if Fremont stays open

(Editor's note: This letter was written in response to a recent letter by John McKenna.)

Do you have children in a Carson school? Are any of them special needs? I'm writing because I have both. My grandson goes to Fremont, he's in Mr. Lowe's class. This is the best class and teacher he has ever had.

Do the children of Carson City get a better education if Fremont is kept open? The answer is yes.

My grandson went to Seeliger. Is this where your children go, or maybe family's or friends' children go? How would you feel if Seeliger were on the chopping block? Would you fight to keep it open?

We as parents fight for what is best for our children. Keeping Fremont open is a good thing. No, it's the best thing for the following reason, and it's not that it's comfortable. It's a fact (at least to some) that students who go to a year-round school retain more, mainly due to the ongoing teaching, and there is a drop in kids causing trouble or getting in trouble because of boredom.

At the end of your letter you made two points that need to be addressed: 1) "to appease a vocal affluent group of parents" " that would be parents like me, that like what Fremont has done for their children; and 2) "other schools have the capacity to handle Fremont's students" " are other schools willing to go year-round, are they willing to have 35 to 40 children in their classes (approximate numbers)?

In closing, unless you have children in school, then you should not be saying anything, but if you do then you should investigate all aspects to year-round vs. traditional, 22 to 27 students per class vs. 35 to 40 students per class. In fact, why don't you actually sit down and talk to the parents of all schools.

DEBBIE TYGART

Carson City

Fatal accident recalled

Many years ago when the helmet law was being voted on Carson City was full of people on motorcycles protesting the law. One of the leaders of the group was riding on the east side of Washoe Lake going home when he went off the road into a ditch.

He was transported to Carson Tahoe Emergency Room where he died of head injuries - no helmet.

STEPHEN JOHNS

Carson City