Letters to the editor, June 3

Pick gas stations wisely when filling

It would seem that a lot of citizens like to follow the lead of our president by bashing Big Oil. After all, it is such an easy target and a product that everyone needs in their everyday life.

Whether gasoline, plastics, lubricants and all the other oil-derived products. The price of gasoline is at the top of the list when it comes to complaints about those "greedy" oil companies and their executives. In reality, though, the oil companies' profit margin is considerably less than many other companies.

Between 2006 and 2010, the margin was on average 6.5 percent, while the pharmaceutical industry had a 16 percent average margin. The soft drink industry was even more lucrative, and there are many other examples.

Citizens have a choice of where they buy gasoline, so the next time you fill up, do the research of who is providing the best bargain. You can go online and use several different sites that show current gas prices. My favorite is gasbuddy.com, which has an app that you can download to your phone or iPad.

When going on a trip, one of the things I do is see what the current prices are along my proposed route. How many times have you gone to an intersection with three gas stations and seen people using the most expensive station rather than having to wait a few minutes for the less expensive one? It's your choice; choose wisely.

David Knighton

Carson City

Thanks to track and field coaches

I wanted to acknowledge and say a big "thank you" to all of the Carson High School track and field coaches.

A banquet was held the other night honoring all the track and field athletes for their success this season, which was a direct reflection of how dedicated the coaches are to these kids. I know the coaches give of their time, but there are many other things, seen and unseen, that they do. I can't imagine the number of hours spent, not only working with the kids at practice every day, but also organizing events and meets, getting volunteers and really deciding the best course of action for each athlete.

It was amazing, the number of awards given at the banquet and the kind words the coaches had to say about each and every athlete, not to mention the amazing memory they have for each of the athletes' progress and results.

So, thank you coaches for helping our kids become better people through your solid coaching abilities, time spent as well as patience, and true desire to see their success. We are truly grateful to you! Thank you to coaches Robert Maw, Mike Louisiana, Jim and Julie Reid, Sean Lehmann, Bob Johnson, Jim Bean and all the rest of the track and field coaches.

Cheryl Price

Carson City

A valuable tool

for Nevada educators

As an educator, it is my job not to teach, but to facilitate students' learning. Subjects like math, science and art naturally capture a child's curiosity. History, however, at the elementary age, needs to become tangible and relevant to the circumstances students face daily. Finding the right bait to hook these students is not always an easy task. Nevada is rich in history that delves deeper than the state's inception. The Native American footprint is pressed deep into Nevada's soil. One pivotal character to Nevada's foundation is Sarah Winnemucca.

I consider myself fortunate to have had Diana de Borges transform my classroom into the late 19th century. She greeted my class in full regalia, from her long, shiny, black hair, down to her hand-beaded moccasins. To my students, Diana was Sarah Winnemucca. When she signed in a mixture of ASL and American Indian Hand Talk, every eye followed her graceful movements. When she told the history of our state through Sarah's eyes, she told it with such expression and vigor, not once breaking character, that every ear opened to the tales, and those tales echoed inside each blossoming mind. When she rose and began to sing a traditional Native American song, every foot stepped in time. Diana led my students outside, where they experienced - not read about, or listened to; they experienced, first-hand - a Native American custom.

Diana's Chautauqua is a valuable educational tool that should be in every educator's toolbox.

Heather Goggiano

Carson City

It isn't easy to get

a state job

Recently I read an article in your paper that was titled "Nevada agencies attempting to fill vacant state government jobs."

I am not sure who wrote the article but it is entirely misleading. As a person who has attempted to get any job, including state jobs, I can tell you that I would be willing to take just about anything to avoid foreclosure and unemployment.

So not being able to fill state jobs is ludicrous. In the past, I have tried to relocate to Carson and the surrounding area. As such, I applied for state jobs through the cumbersome and frustrating NEATS system. There are over 100 different positions that I have applied for through the state. I have had interviews but most times I have been told that I am overqualified.

Other times the jobs were handed out to friends or relatives - most of whom are already in the system and have state jobs. Also, I have tried to contact various departmental directors to discuss my situation, but they ignore me as they sit on their pompous political posteriors. I know there is not a hiring freeze - but I have been frozen out. Lack of applicants? I think not ... Nevada - a work-friendly environment? Not in my lifetime.

Monte Pettenon

Coleville, Calif.

Freeway work is helping the economy

To all who are complaining about the work being done to beautify the freeway, think about this: Most of these people are private contractors (landscapers, concrete workers, steel workers, welders, laborers and others) who bid out to the state for work. They are not state workers, for those who would complain about that. This money is not being given away for free; it is being paid to purchase items (from private industry) and to people for doing a day's work.

Bill Berge

Carson City