Letters to the editor Sept. 10

Shooting reflects

troubled society

How sad that this happened in our small city. So many lost their lives just because they were enjoying themselves.

What has happened to our society and why?

God bless all the families left behind to mourn their losses.

Della Harmon

Carson City

Licensed gun might have changed outcome

Regarding the shooting at the Carson City IHOP, on my return from an RV trip east, I had stayed at the Gold Dust RV park on Aug. 31 and stopped in to the IHOP restaurant the next morning for breakfast.

It's too bad for those 11 innocent souls (that) I, and my licensed-carry gun, wern't there when this nutcase came in, as there might have been a different outcome to the situation.

Of course, the anti-Second Amendment liberals would have found a way to put me in trouble, but maybe some of those 11 would still be alive to be on my jury? Just a thought.

Robert Snodgrass

Sonora, Calif.

Don't cut funding for

senior volunteers

In regards to the cuts made by the administrators of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), I have a few of questions.

Why would you cut the reimbursement to volunteers? Was this a last resort or, as is usual in large organizations, the first step? Did the chief executive officer and all seven directors have their expense reimbursements reduced also?

Did the CEO and directors offer to take a reduction in salary so that more of the money received via donations and grants could be funneled into necessary senior services?

Since there was no information on the website in regards to what percentage of money is allocated towards services and what percentage goes to overhead, I don't know if that is possible or not.

It seems to me that the very last thing you would want to cut is any reimbursement to volunteers, since they do most of the real work and you may lose volunteers. Seems to be the usual top-down thinking so prevalent nowadays. Cut at the bottom so the top can continue on their merry way.

David Knighton

Carson City

Farmer's perspective

is not universal

Opening up the Sunday Appeal this morning [Sept. 4], I spotted Guy Farmer's column about all the drugs and nudity going on constantly and everywhere at Burning Man - not!

My husband and I went for the first time last week. I am a 67-year-old first-time Burner and proud of it. When we entered Black Rock City, we were met by greeters, who welcomed us with open arms, hugs and smiles.

From the moment we got there to the moment we left, we were overwhelmed with the creativity of it all, the friendliness of everyone we met, and, for a city of 50,000 people, we did not see one cigarette butt or one empty plastic bottle on the ground.

We walked for hours, marveling at the creativity of art pieces and wild and wonderful modes of transportation. The most common mode of transportation was the bicycle. So many people come from other states and countries, that at the end of each event, most leave the bikes behind.

Burning Man cleanup teams pick them all up, wash them and donate all to various children's hospitals and non-profits. Also, most all the solar panels used to power the lighting are donated to schools.

Yes, we will be going back next year, Mr. Farmer. Too bad you aren't opened-minded enough to recognize Burning Man for what it is: a place to enjoy for its art, for its friendliness, for its creativity - and most of all, for just being.

Bonnie Matton

Dayton