Politicians: To serve is an honor, not a right
It is not surprising to me that every time a member of the House or Senate gets caught up in some kind of unethical political conduct or when it is time for re-election, the individual is quick to point out the number of years of his/her life that have been given to public service. The impression given is that this service is a generous donation of time.
As we all know, these positions pay extremely well, even over the long term, and include enormous perks covering a very wide spectrum of services.
As an American, I feel it is my duty to support our leaders, but it becomes more and more of a challenge as time goes by, when so many will not recognize the honor of serving the American people who elected them.
Let's hope that feeling will change with time, but unfortunately, I doubt it.
William Costa
Carson City
What will downtown project do for city?
Let's peel back a few layers on this City Center Project. The developer thinks it's a really good idea whose time has come. He is also motivated by money because these projects are how he makes his money.
The Nugget thinks this is a really good idea. It represents money for the Nugget in terms of increased traffic in the area. And the trust that holds the property where all this is going to happen makes money on the deal. Their empty land will be built up and leased to the government in a long-term lease. Nice.
So far, everyone is in it for the money. The question is, what will it do for the city? Will it create jobs? Not many, and most will be moved from other areas. The rest will just increase the government's payroll. Will it bring new business? Not likely.
What will it do? It will help salvage the downtown area and the surrounding businesses to some extent, with the Nugget being the biggest winner. I know the Nugget has done a lot for this community, as has the Carson Station and other great businesses.
It will be our tax dollars at work, so what are we willing to pay for and why?
Walter Owens
Carson City
Abowd has vision for what downtown could be
From 1996-2005, I served as president of Telegraph Square Merchants Association. During this time, merchants successfully pulled together to create a downtown community. We sponsored downtown activities, a downtown farmers market and year-round holiday events.
To make Carson a vital community, it is crucial that the fence is removed and parking replaced on main street. This is mandatory for every business to thrive. With the completion of Roop Street, it will free up traffic and make Carson a destination city.
The current library on Roop Street attracts 300,000 people a year. The library will create foot traffic that is necessary for every business to be successful.
Who is going to want to live here if we do not have a solid downtown core, much less draw new industry that we need to give our city a strong economic base? We are feeling the slippery slope now - abandoned buildings and neighborhoods, businesses closing weekly, crime and lower property values.
The only candidate running for office who also is a downtown business owner and knows all too well the effects of our current economy is Karen Abowd. She has a vision to make our city and every business part of a community that works together. Karen sees a need to clean up our neighborhoods and give hope to our citizens. She knows that making Carson City a safer place to live will create more job opportunities.
Doreen Mack
Carson City
What's the protocol for police on private property?
The staff at this office had a meeting a few weeks ago, and the item regarding the policeman shooting and killing a woman's dog was discussed.
According to the newspaper, the officer was responding to the tenant having a dispute over a car. The woman had her door open with a light on and no argument happening. With further talk on the subject, we are all wondering about our rights as homeowners and renters. Did this man announce himself before entering her property? If not, isn't that a law? Since the yard was dark, did he shine a flashlight and identify himself as the law before going in? Was the dog trying to protect the woman and her property and, if so, isn't that what most people expect of their dog?
We question the act of shooting this animal. Why couldn't the officer get back out of the yard, even kick the dog to get it away from him? We want to know what our rights are and exactly what is the protocol for the police upon entering our private property.
William Kranz
and staff of Eagle Management
Carson City