Letters to the editor Oct. 30

Assessor candidate's promises impossible to keep

We don't need a new assessor. What is unfortunate is that anyone can run for office, whether they have the qualifications or not. Experience is extremely important. I can't emphasize that enough.

Ian Mindling speaks of an unfriendly office that lacks in customer service, something he has heard, but not witnessed first-hand. As with any office, you can't make everyone happy all the time. However, I would ask Ian to speak to the many veterans, the widows/widowers, the seniors of our community who we assist every year with their exemptions and rebates. Have they been treated poorly?

Ian's website promises lower taxes. How? How will he explain to the Department of Taxation his outrageously low values that are not within the ratio mandated by statute? He vows to avoid the appeal process. The Board of Equalization is there for a reason - so that you don't have assessors playing favorites and lowering values on a handshake. They are there to ensure that everyone is assessed equally and fairly.

Ian states that the Assessor's Office is not using foreclosures. When the bank sells to a new owner, these sales are verified and researched to determine whether or not they are a true arms-length transaction, meaning the property was livable, or it appraised at the selling price, etc. If so, they are considered to be a good sale.

Vote for experience, vote for true integrity, vote for Dave Dawley.

Kimberly Adams

senior appraiser

Carson City Assessor's Office

Liberals: A long history of fighting for freedom

Recent commentaries and letters deliberately misrepresenting liberal and progressive ideology, and at the same time attempting to attach a virtue tag to conservative thought, cannot go unchallenged. 

Let's begin with American History 101 sans the Texas revisionist garbage. I do believe it was courageous liberals and progressives who took on the British monarchy some 235 years ago. Those pesky radicals like Jefferson, Madison and Paine risked death to start a new country. A new nation founded on free thought and the rights of man over ignorant divine rule and state-controlled religion. And I do believe that it was the conservative cowards of the day, the Tories, who wanted to keep kissing up to King George. 

The list is endless. Liberals and progressives have fought for the rights and freedoms laid out in our Constitution for all people, regardless of race, class, etc. It has been the morally bankrupt conservatives who have consistently tried to block, marginalize and/or eliminate many of those rights for one segment of society or another.

And that is why, for you 10th Amendment, states' rights fanatics, there were additional amendments passed. Using traditional fascist techniques of scapegoating, it has been easy for conservatives to whip up hatred for someone or some group, i.e. Native Americans, blacks, women, immigrants of all kind, especially the Hispanics these days. And lately it has been the gays/lesbians and Muslim community.

Rick Van Alfen

Carson City

Political discourse resembles schoolyard bullying

Constructive criticism, positive reinforcement, joint brainstorming, working in unity, respect for the opinions of others - these are the values and concepts I grew up with and continue throughout my life.

What happened? The overabundance of negativity is not only dangerous, but infectious. Constant name calling and finger pointing, false claims and downright bullying really should end with "nanner, nanner." This angry 13-year-old mentality from both citizens and political affiliates is getting old in a hurry - and you wonder why there's so much bullying in schools - they're probably your children. Yeah, we're teaching them well. Jeeze Louise. Grow up America.

Robin Hart

Carson City

A very special man deserves public recognition

In these trying times, it is reassuring to know that there are quiet heroes among us. I would like to publicly acknowledge such a man who has spent his entire life in Northern Nevada and went about his business of being a hero rather quietly.

As a young man, my neighbor Ed Juchtzer spent many an hour patiently mentoring me and monitoring my various adventures with his son with patience and understanding. He bailed me out of countless predicaments in the gentle way only those who know Ed can appreciate.

This week Ed once again came through for our family as he responded quickly to a life-threatening emergency involving my mother and handled it in the quiet, proficient manner that represents Ed.

I thought it prudent to take the time to remind our community as a whole that in the worst of times, there are many people like Ed who make life more meaningful and vibrant. The one thing this economy cannot take away from us is the giving spirit that Ed so splendidly represents.

Stacy Trivitt

Gardnerville

Carson government students showed admirable respect

I would like to express my thanks to Carson High School teacher Mike Longero, as well as his students in his government classes. He recently allowed me to speak to the class addressing Republican/conservative ideology as part of his curriculum.

I was impressed by the respect for opposing opinions, and the importance of at least listening to other viewpoints. Although some students did not give clear indication of their personal opinions, and others did, at no time did I feel my opinions and viewpoints were being dismissed by any of the students.

Mr. Longero's students not only showed an interest in my presentation, but the level of questioning on important issues was clear, concise, and most importantly, very detailed in almost all instances. If your children are students in the above classes, I compliment you on the level of respect for others you have taught them.

To the students, as I suggested, verify! And a separate thank you.

Dennis Johnson

Carson City