
7 minute read
letters
from May 12, 2016
Mister Ed
Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review.
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I’m pleased to announce I’ve accepted the position of editor of the RN&R. (I’ve been associate editor since December.) I probably don’t need to reintroduce myself, but here’s the short version: I’m a native, and a graduate of Reno schools—Brown Elementary, Pine Middle, Galena High, and the University of Nevada, Reno. I majored in English and minored in art, and I’m now a grad student and an instructor in the school of the arts.
My first contribution to the RN&R was a restaurant review in 2002. I became the arts editor in 2008. Although my background is in arts writing, I understand the gravity of hard news. Sheldon Adelson secretly bought the Las Vegas ReviewJournal last year. In a time when a secretive billionaire can buy the state’s largest newspaper, independent journalism is more important than ever.
News editor Dennis Myers remains our ace on the mound. Special projects editor Jeri Chadwell-Singley is a hardhitting slugger. Calender editor Kelley Lang is our leadoff hitter. And our bullpen of contributors is strong—photographers Eric Marks and Allison Young, columnists Sheila Leslie, Brendan Trainor and Bruce Van Dyke, critics Bob Grimm and Todd South, and arts writers like Kris Vagner and Jessica Santina.
Our editorial team is aided by an amazing design staff, including Brian Breneman, Lindsay Trop and Meg Larkin, an outstanding sales team, Bev Savage, Gina Odegard and Emily Litt, and bringing it all together, Kelly Miller, who manages the office and distribution.
There will be some minor, mostly cosmetic, changes to the paper in the near future, but I don’t want to change the things that work: fierce independence, unbridled creativity, and unwavering devotion to Northern Nevada.
Huge thanks to Deborah Redmond and Jeff VonKaenel for the opportunity to lead the team, and special thanks to Brian Burghart for years of mentorship. And most of all, thanks to all our readers. It’s an honor to serve. —Brad Bynum bradb@newsreview.com
Road blues
South McCarran Boulevard as it cuts through the hills is the prettiest thoroughfare in the Truckee Meadows, and I feel so blessed to be living in a residential neighborhood set along this winding road. Lately, I have grown appalled at its condition.
The ruts in both the eastbound and westbound lanes, from Belsera to Caughlin Parkway, are unbelievable! They cause wear and tear on tires, and are unsightly. Meanwhile, the median and shoulders are strewn with weeds and a dumping ground for litter. Is anyone in charge of maintaining McCarran? If so, does anyone care about restoring its condition to one of beauty?
Heidi Hegerich Reno
Feel free to read our first-person story again
Re “Licensed to ill” (cover story, April 28):
You have to be a California resident to get a California Medical Marijuana Card.
You can not get a Medical Marijuana Card in California with a federally-issued ID like a passport from another state.
California does not issue medical marijuana cards to anyone from out of state, and California medical marijuana cards are only good in California as Nevada medical marijuana cards are only good in Nevada.
James Weber Carson City
Other people’s money
Much talk, press and stress about the financial needs of the Washoe County School District. Another tax initiative is at hand to raise taxes for badly need infrastructural repairs. There is no question we need to get our schools in better shape for the sake of our kids, our community, our Nevada.
But I don’t desire to pay more tax. Period.
Why do we not raise the question of getting Nevada into the Powerball and/or Mega Millions? Are we really still a state where the good ol’ boys continue to rule our roost? With nearly every state in the union participating in some sort of gambling, adding a super lottery would not be a threat to legal gambling. The argument of how a lottery system would “hurt” Nevada’s gambling is just plain hokum. Ever see the lines to buy lottery tickets at Gold Ranch, Susanville, Lake Tahoe and other close-to-Nevada lottery sale locations? Folks who visit those California lottery retailers are not there for the popcorn. Nevadans who purchase Powerball tickets with California lottery retailers are contributing about 20 cents of every $2.00 ticket to California.
Why do we continue to support California’s needs and remove the possibility of 20 cents (or more) on every ticket going toward Nevada’s needs? I support calling a special session of the Nevada Legislature— immediately, and in ample time to get an initiative on our November ballet—as a solid alternative to trying to push through another tax for schools.
The caveat? The monies earned from the 20 cents (or more) raised from each Powerball ticket sold in Nevada would be designated to infrastructure for Nevada schools. Nevada can apply to become part of the Powerball. Nevada can then designate its portions of those Powerball funds directly to Nevada school infrastructure. Selling Powerball/Megamillioins tickets right here in Nevada would bring business to Nevada. Those lottery retailers will earn a small portion of every ticket sale for their own business. Less road travel to buy lottery tickets locally will even contribute to reducing our carbon footprint. Our schools will benefit. Our communities and state will benefit. It’s a win/win/win situation. Why are we not participating?
Call in the Nevada Legislature. Participation in super lotteries is a viable solution for our schools, business and tax structure. An alternative solution for the emergency in our schools is worthy of the legislature’s immediate attention. Katherine Roberts Reno
Cooperative defense In defense of food co-op “girls”: I’m a local farmer and have known the “girls” for years. I don’t know anyone who has fought harder or accomplished more to support local farmers and address the abysmal condition of our local food chain. Never met anyone more passionate and dedicated to providing you with local real food, not at your Departments of Agriculture, College of Agriculture or in any of the many local foodie groups that come and go.
“Hard as nails”? Like the combination of mental discipline, physical exertion and dogged determination in the face of adversity, taking the GBCFC from vision to reality? Male hardness is celebrated with such reverence, I assume you mean it as a compliment. Next time you’re out with the boys and see local ingredients on the menu? Thanks again to our girlfriends over at DROPP. So eat, drink and be happy that the pre-digested, uninspected and often contaminated or mislabeled neofood imported for you to overeat is a few cents cheaper—and easier to steal at Walmart. I hope “girls” was just an effort to express a little affection for our dedicated women (and men) at GBCFC. I slip up and call them that once in awhile, too. Mark O’Farrell Carson City Erik Holland
Our Mission: To publish great newspapers that are successful and enduring. To create a quality work environment that encourages employees to grow professionally while respecting personal welfare. To have a positive impact on our communities and make them better places to live. Editor Brad Bynum News Editor Dennis Myers Special Projects Editor Jeri Chadwell-Singley Calendar Editor Kelley Lang Contributors Amy Alkon, Kelsey Fitzgerald, Bob Grimm, Ashley Hennefer, Shelia Leslie, Eric Marks, Jessica Santina, Todd South, Brendan Trainor, Kris Vagner, Bruce Van Dyke, Allison Young Design Manager Lindsay Trop Art Directors Brian Breneman, Margaret Larkin Marketing/Publications Manager Serene Lusano Marketing/Publications Designer Sarah Hansel Production Coordinator Skyler Smith Designer Kyle Shine Senior Advertising Consultants Gina Odegard, Bev Savage Advertising Consultant Emily Litt Distribution Director Greg Erwin Distribution Manager/Operations Coordinator Kelly Miller Distribution Assistant Denise Cairns Distribution Drivers Tracy Breeden, Alex Barskyy, Debbie Frenzi, Vicki Jewell, Patrick L’Angelle, Marty Lane, Marty Troye, Warren Tucker, Gary White, Dave Carroll, Denise Cairns President/CEO Jeff VonKaenel Director of Nuts & Bolts Deborah Redmond Marketing/Promotions/Facilities Manager Will Niespodzinski Executive Coordinator Jessica Takehara Business Manager Nicole Jackson Payroll/AP Wizard Miranda Dargitz Accounts Receivable Specialist Kortnee Angel Sweetdeals Coordinator Courtney DeShields Nuts & Bolts Ninja Christina Wukmir Senior Support Tech Joe Kakacek Developer John Bisignano System Support Specialist Kalin Jenkins
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