Letters to the Editor Aug. 23

Family grateful during time of loss

The Anderson family would like to thank the community for all of their support.

The outpouring of love and caring was and continues to be amazing and has helped us handle the loss of our son and brother Stephen.

Thank you,

Chris, Thea and Sara Anderson

Carson City

Bear hunt should have been stopped

Dear Gov. Sandoval,

How disappointing that you support the first bear hunt in Nevada history and refuse to intervene in any way. Once again, the interests of special-interest groups prevail.

The vast majority of Nevadans are opposed to this hunt, yet our voice means nothing. Another fine example of a select few making decisions not reflecting the will of the people.

This hunt has been crammed down Nevadans' throats and you say, "Nevada's best days are yet to come."

I am a lifelong registered Republican and voted for you in the last election. Your lack of compassion, understanding and fairness demonstrated by supporting our rogue Wildlife Commission has drastically changed my opinion of you as an individual, as well as an elected official. Never again will you receive my vote for any elected office you may seek.

Crystal Elliott

Washoe Valley

Solar panels should be better protected

It was one of my first thoughts when the solar panels at Seeliger were put up. I thought how easy they would be to vandalize, but according to your article, it takes more than just a rock being thrown.

I would suggest a much better enclosure, because if this happens again, I don't want to be paying for repairs with my tax dollars. I live very close by and will do my best to listen for any unusual disturbances, especially after dark.

And, not to mention, if someone did climb the fence, that sounds like a liability lawsuit in the making. Please make it safer.

Mary Niederer

Carson City

City leaders need to stop spending

As a 47-year resident of Carson City, and what I consider to be a member of the silent majority, it's time to speak out.

I feel the timing for another raise in sewer and water fees is unwarranted and ill-timed. As everyone knows, our economy is in the tank. Most governmental agencies have had layoffs, cutbacks, etc. Our government is broke. We lead in unemployment, foreclosures and bankruptcies.

To raise fees on essential services that everyone uses, whether employed or not, is not smart thinking. This city should tighten its belt and make do with the existing taxes, fees and other revenue. I question the need for increases after just reading the article in the Nevada Appeal about the City Center Project.

I've been on the fence over this project since it was first introduced. After reading the article and seeing that it will be partially funded with a sales tax increase - $12 million - as well as another $11.3 million from the city redevelopment agency and another $500,000 from the city utility enterprise fund, which is the fund in which the water and sewer fees are held, it tells me if we have $500,000 in the fund to commit to the project, we don't need increases.

By raising fees, is this a back-door approach to fund the project? That project needs to go to a vote of the people.

It's time the silent majority becomes vocal and lets elected officials and city leaders know enough is enough. Stop spending.

Gary F. Hunter

Carson City

Ayres' columns are left-wing talking points

In Janice Ayres' latest column, she bemoans the state of funding for senior citizens' programs. It is true that there will be cutbacks to current programs, because our country has been put into the largest national debt in our history due to the economic policies of the current administration, led by President Barack Obama.

Some would say it is all the fault of former President George W. Bush, as though Congress had nothing at all to do about it. When President Obama took office, his party controlled the executive and legislative branches of government, and could have done something to address the problems with Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid, but they chose instead to do nothing except pass an extremely complex Affordable Health Care Plan that none of them had read.

Ms. Ayres went on to, once again, state that citizens should contact their elected representatives and ask where they stand on Rep. Paul Ryan's budget plan, which she says "cuts benefits to seniors." Here is a link to his plan so readers can see for themselves that it has no effect on anyone over the age of 55: www.roadmap.republicans.budget.house.gov/

How does that affect seniors? Conversely, President Obama's plan adds between 20 million and 30 million new people to the Medicare and Medicaid programs while slashing $500 billion from their budgets.

Noticeably absent is any criticism by Ms. Ayres of President Obama's plan. Do you think her comments are only political talking points? I certainly do.

David Knighton

Carson City