Letters to the editor Aug. 1

Home wind turbines create noise, strobe effect

Before you rush out and buy a wind turbine based upon the recent Nevada Appeal article on the subject, you should be aware of some facts not included in the article. Lee Plemel indicated that no formal complaints have been filed as a result of the installations, but did not mention that complaints would be fruitless: State law limits regulation by cities to minimal restrictions on height, noise and safety (NRS 278.02077). If the installation complies with these basic requirements, the city can't do anything about it. That was what we were told by Mr. Plemel, so why file a formal complaint?

That isn't to say that there is nothing to complain about. The noise generated by a turbine sounds like a siren, increasing in pitch and volume as the wind increases, then winding down as the wind decreases. We cannot go outside without hearing it, and often are kept awake at night by the sound. Having a turbine directly to our west not only ruins our view of the mountains, when the sun sets behind it we can get a strobe-light effect in our dining room: Try eating dinner with disco lighting.

This eye- and ear-sore is a substantial detriment not only to our house, but to our entire neighborhood. Before you dismiss this as not being your concern because it is not in your backyard, consider the fact that you can do virtually nothing to prevent wind turbines from being installed throughout your neighborhood.

Mary Jo Malkiewich

Carson City

Speeding trooper on cell phone set bad example

I am in total agreement with Lynnea Malone's July 17 letter on dangerous texting while driving. While this is probably more dangerous than being on one's cell phone, I think it is equally as dangerous, especially when it apparently prevents the driver from observing what the speed limits are on the road he is traveling on.

A week ago I was headed to the store going north on Highway 395.  I was traveling in the right lane and observed a car approaching in the left lane that was gaining on me and the vehicles in front of me. When he got a little closer, I saw that it was highway patrol - this I had suspected just from the driving style. What was interesting as well as annoying was to see him continue to pass many vehicles ahead of me as I was going the speed limit, so obviously he was doing more than that; this while he was on his cell phone.

Now what was more annoying was to see the driver continue at that speed all the way through the 55 mph zone which soon goes to 45 mph as one approaches Mica Drive. He had the green light so he continued at well over the posted speed limit until he was caught at the light at Jacks Valley Road. I guess that is one of the privileges of wearing a badge; the driver whom I saw pulled over by a Douglas County car on Jacks Valley Road wasn't so lucky.

Judy DeRyke

Minden

It's hard to see your tax dollars at work

I recently observed a cosmetic improvement to the entrance of the Carson City Airport. The sign posted near the entrance indicates that the improvement is the result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that was recently enacted by Congress and is being paid for by all of us taxpayers.

We were told that this act would generate a great many new jobs. I live in the neighborhood and have watched this project progress since its inception over the last few months.

I have observed no more than two laborers at any one time. These workers generally toiled with shovel, rake and wheelbarrow. On one occasion, I observed one person on a skip loader who was clearing weeds and leveling the ground. Subsequently, gravel, along with some sizable rocks, were brought in and the two laborers spread the gravel and stacked the rocks in a large pile on the east side of the entrance. I must say that the appearance of the property is much improved.

Several weeks later, I observed a new sign that was erected at the base of the rock pile. It identifies the property as the Carson City Airport. Amazing. I would never have guessed that, although it does display many aircraft parked in front of hangars, and I can see a runway and several taxiways.

I really don't believe that the project employed more than a half dozen people, including the sign makers. Is this an example of our tax dollars at work?

Keith W. Berry

Carson City

Business thrived even after FDR's New Deal regulations

There seems to be quite a conviction among the news gathering media that this country is impatient with all this economic and personal distress, and that whatever was offered by a change of party in charge isn't doing the job.

I can remember when FDR took over. I can remember how my dad, a hardcore Republican small businessman, hated FDR's guts. All the new regulations and record-keeping and taxes.

All I know is that he kept right on thriving and prospering and hired more help and shut his mouth.

My sister and I grew up and both worked in unionized positions protected by rights to maternity leaves and sick leave and pensions. We were grateful for those who fought to give women the rights we deserved.

Nikki Campbell

Carson City