Letters to the editor Dec. 15

This season, let's share with those who have less

A short time ago, while at a book signing at Borders in Reno, you might say that I received a wakeup call. I had walked out to my car to get something and as I looked back toward the store I saw something I never dreamed of seeing.

There was a man, homeless, dirty and obviously hungry. He wasn't begging or asking for handouts. Instead, I watched as he went from one trash can to another drinking from the tossed cups. He would then pick out what food that he could find, putting some in a plastic bag or eating some right then. I never thought that I would see this in America.

'Tis the season of peace, love and joy. Let's all share those things with those who have less. Of course, some people can give more than others, but if everyone just gave a few cans of food to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, it could make a big difference.

I can only pray that no one reading this letter has ever been so desperate or hungry that you have had to eat from a trash can, but I would like to pass on the thank you and God's blessings which that man gave to me when I took him some food. May each of you be blessed.

Julia Wells

Silver Springs

Money for sculptures could be put to better use

We watched with amazement and amusement as the city workers installed steel sculptures on the Fairview Drive freeway overpass. We couldn't help but ask ourselves why, cost and safety.

The economy is bad, even if funds have been allocated to this project, couldn't they be diverted elsewhere, i.e., feed the hungry in our city, hire more deputies and firemen; you know, the necessary things.

Also, did anyone consider the safety factor? Motorists will be driving along looking up or to the side, depending whether on the freeway or overpass.

Let's use some common sense when attempting to beautify our city - for a change.

Mike and Mary Burgoon

Carson City

Preserve our heritage at American Flat Mill site

We are destroying our historical and cultural heritage by tearing down any historical structures. The American Flat Mill is almost

90 years old and was the biggest and most technological gold ore reclamation mill in the world at that time.

All old ghost town buildings and mining sites are dangerous; people must take responsibility for their own safety. Unfortunately, people are injured or worse every year even at the Grand Canyon, yet we don't propose to close it or fill it in. If safety and avoiding a lawsuit is the ultimate criteria, then Rhyolite, Austin, Belmont, Tybo, to name a few of Nevada's ghost towns, all have buildings that should be knocked down so that someone can't get hurt or sued.

Remember Carson City's beautiful V&T Railroad roundhouse building - isn't the vacant lot so much better? Preservation and educating the public is a much better option than destruction of a historical building that can never be replaced. For example, a beautiful historic site where people have gotten killed, Double Hot Springs north of Gerlach, is on BLM property. Educational signs and a low fence with gates inform and warn all but the stupidest.

As past president of the California-Nevada chapter of the Oregon-California Trails Association, please BLM, don't tear down the mill. It is possible to make it safer.

Steve Knight

Carson City