Letters to the Editor Oct. 2

Recently, we've learned of several of our rental properties being advertised as "For Rent" by unscrupulous scammers. One couple came very close to sending off real money to fake landlords - money which would be lost to them forever.

The community should be made aware that these ads are becoming more numerous, and that they look very real. You can protect yourself by following a few simple rules.

First, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is - $700 for a home on a golf course with all utilities paid? I don't think so, Tim.

Second, is the owner out of the country? What is it - a new job in London, he's on safari or did his spot on the International Space Station just open up? If you can't meet with the owner or his agent personally, beware. If in doubt, you can visit your county assessor's website and easily verify the true owner of the property.

Third, are you supposed to wire money via Western Union or a wire service to some faraway place - for a rental which you've never seen inside? Loud, piercing warning klaxons should be going off now.

The safest way to rent is through a licensed, local property management company. But in this economy, there are many owners who are renting their properties out by themselves, and the vast majority of them are legitimate.

Learn to distinguish which ones are real and which ones are just out to steal your money.

Robert Frenchu

Coldwell Banker Best Sellers

With regards to the new City Center proposal, I'd have to agree with Guy Farmer's commentary in the Nevada Appeal, that the timing couldn't be worse.

Other than that, I would question the city's success or failure rate in their previous attempts to diversify and increase their revenue base.

I would also question their continued willingness, until very recently, to increase property taxes to cover revenue shortfalls. A 3 percent maximum annual property tax is still too high.

What is the projected city's return on investment? How will the entire project affect existing and future tourism projects?

Ronald L. Wood

Dayton

Since its establishment in 1969, the National Assessment of Educational Progress has provided a common yardstick by which the academic achievement of individual states is measured and ranked. The NAEP is referred to as the Nation's Report Card. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, the NAEP also yields long-term state and national trends. It is given biennially at grades four, eight and 12 among demographically representative student groups with reading the most important assessment.

On the 2009 NAEP, only 24 percent of Nevada's fourth-graders read at a proficient level, leaving 76 percent who are minimally literate. These children rarely catch up, whatever remediation they subsequently receive. Fourth-graders who cannot read are the high school dropouts six or seven years down the road. Nevada has the worst dropout rate in the nation.

At a recent Nevada Virtual Academy board meeting, a review of 2011 education legislation was presented. While media scrutiny is absent, AB498 is critical. This bill eliminates the requirement for the administration of norm-referenced examinations, of which the NAEP is one, in Nevada public schools. The U.S. Education Department mandates that all states receiving Title I funding must participate in the NAEP. How can the state slither out of this accountability measure?

AB498 originated within the Nevada Department of Education. Does the NDE believe that legislating the only ongoing national monitor of student achievement out of existence eliminates the problem? Citizens have a right to know that Nevada ranks in the bottom 5 percent nationally.

Sharon S. Kientz

Carson City

Is it just me, or do the current Democrat, GOP and Tea Party members of Congress bear a striking resemblance to the pig characters in George Orwell's book "Animal Farm?"

They are telling us what we want, what we need, and what is really good for us, but are we sheep enough to follow?

Joel Kirk

Carson City

As patriotic Americans, we must protect our education from any further budget cuts if we intend to keep our nation strong. Education is the foundation of our country's success and salvation, yet our lawmakers continually turn to cutting the budget for education. It is essential to emphasize to our government how important our education is to the economy, the community, and to our nation's future.

The budget cuts on education are not solving the economic problems among the states or the nation as a whole. Taking money away from education has not only affected the students, but it has also taken jobs away from several hard-working people, raising the unemployment rates nationwide.

Schools cannot afford to pay their staff, the government has tried to eliminate school counselors as a whole, and lawmakers have worked to lower teachers' incomes; and if teachers cannot afford to teach, they will be forced to quit their jobs as well.

How can America prosper if the educational providers are forced into unemployment? Without qualified and properly paid teachers, our country will be run by uneducated people.

Our community has been hurt by these spending cuts, as well. Our colleges have been in danger of closing down, losing several programs, and firing several staff members. College is already a luxury that few people can afford, and it's losing potentially useful attributes every year.

Please, protect our community, our economy, and our future. Don't let education die out.

Celeste Curls

Virginia City Highlands