Letters to the editor Sept. 30

Carson City's landmark flag

a beautiful sight

Thanks so much to the one or ones who erected the American Flag on the north facing rock outcropping atop "C" Hill.

What a beautiful sight. I love it.

Bill Witt

Carson City

Douglas, include seniors in long-term planning

The Douglas County Economic Vitality Plan was introduced to the public on Sept. 13. Twelve priority projects were presented, all of which had merits, but the two largest economic sources for Douglas County were not addressed. They are ranching/agriculture and our senior population.

Our seniors make up 30 percent of our population and they pay approximately 50 percent of the residential real estate tax. The average retired senior has an income comparable to most local workers. Most of the plan projects had an estimated increase of less than 20 jobs, yet the senior population of our county is declining at a rate of several hundred per year. This problem is unique to Douglas County since the senior population of the United States is escalating exponentially due to an increase in longevity and aging baby boomers.

Most seniors do enjoy the fantastic scenery and the distinctive towns in Douglas County, but most potential residents want to be assured that the area offers them meaningful activities in which they can participate. Most seniors do not sit and watch TV all day long. One of the priority projects is a new Multigenerational Community Center, but from previous experiences and proposals, most seniors are skeptical that this will satisfy their activity requirements.

If the county administration and businessmen are truly interested in recovering from our current economic recession, they should start taking action to stop the hemorrhage of losing our senior population and begin by including seniors in the planning process.

Paul Lockwood

Minden

Carson hotel does not support room tax increase

The Wednesday, Sept. 22 Nevada Appeal incorrectly stated that all five lodging properties at the lodging association meeting support an increase in the room tax.

As the owner of the Hampton Inn & Suites, I need to correct this misinformation. We at The Hampton adamantly opposed a 33 percent tax increase.

Hotels are struggling in this economy. Both business and leisure travel have been severely affected. An additional 3 percent tax on gross revenue is money that the hotel is missing out on since the guest looks at the total amount of the bill. The argument that it is the guest who pays is no more valid than if you raised the sales tax by 33 percent. Don't think for a minute that car dealers and other retailers wouldn't feel the pain.

The only reason for the support of a 33 percent increase in the tax is that the state is threatening to impose a tax (to a maximum of 13 percent) and use the money for statewide education. The theory is that it is better to keep the funds locally.

I believe that if we feel we must increase the tax, that we as hotel owners can spend the money more effectively than the Carson City Convention & Visitors Bureau. I support the 3 percent going into a co-op fund which would then reimburse the hotels for their individual marketing efforts.

Dave Friedrich

owner Hampton Inn & Suites