Letters

Yesterday’s dawn

Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review.

More than most people who read this newspaper and probably more than most people in this office, with the possible exception of Ashley Hennefer, I live in the internet age. I’m probably the one guy you know who’d like to be even more plugged in. For example, if there was a way to install a plug that would recharge my phone off my body’s electro-chemical energy, I’d probably do it. I might even consider a chip to allow me to access the world wide web without any further appliances.

So when I have to write things that will appear as new long after I’ve written them—like this column, for instance—I feel a need to point out this temporal fugue state in which I write. Another example: the Mayan calendar will switch over with the solstice at 3:12 a.m. four days from now, but this column won’t even be published until Dec. 27, 10 days from now. In fact, the only thing that can save it from being completely irrelevant when this paper is removed from stands, 16 days from now, is if the Mayan doomsday predictors are right on the money, and the world ends—thus precluding need for this column at all.

But wouldn’t it be cool if something didhappen at 3:12 a.m. Dec. 21? What if we did enter a new age or if it were the true dawning of the Age of Aquarius? What if that was the exact moment that Mike, the HOLMES IV from Robert Heinlein’s classic The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, became self-aware? Of course, I have an easier time imagining a Skynet dawn (from Terminator) with drones raining horror down on this planetary infestation than a computer that likes to tell jokes.

But we’ll see. As you read this—days after the solstice, days after Christmas, days before the fiscal cliff and New Year’s—you know far more of the future than I do. I wonder if you (and I, hopefully) have learned anything worth knowing.

Bases loaded

Re “General fund dollars” (News, Dec. 6):

I applaud the newly elected members of the Reno City Council in their vote to moderate the pace and reflect on the consequences of continued funding of the Reno Aces ballpark from the general fund. It took great courage by the City Council to allow a finally interested public to voice concerns of a business deal obviously gone wrong in which the taxpayers will ultimately have to foot the bill.

The original ballpark debacle epitomizes the incestuous nature of business as usual of Reno politics: political selfinterest at the expense of the collective good, opaque and often shadowy dealings with little public input, contrived and unrealistic economic projections and a bureaucratic hubris by current Mayor Cashell and select members of the prior City Council with their respective attitudes that taxpayers can be taken for granted as an unending source of revenue. It is said that sunlight is the best disinfectant, but in this case, it is the overhang shadow of harsh economics that now brings this largely hidden issue to the forefront. Some clouds do have a silver lining.

While anecdotal statements by some in the downtown area romanticize the charm of warm summer nights spent under the ballpark lights while watching the Reno Aces and local business owners speculate to causes and effects of a failed ballpark, it does little to determine if the ballpark was economically viable in the first place. One would think that question would have been posed earlier in the process. Given the well-known and historic boom and bust economic cycles of Reno makes the question even more relevant. Mayor Cashell said he can’t recall why there were no contingencies made for an economic downtown. Instead, he blames the now deceased Bill Raggio for the oversight. The words “convenient,” “callow” and “cynical” ring hollow in the face of such prophylactic behavior. I find it difficult to believe that Mayor Cashell, in his myriad of personal business dealings, would be so cavalier with his own funding as to not ask similar questions when committing to a long term, big budget project. Of course, when one doesn’t have skin or money in the game, why potentially torpedo a legacy project as one comfortably rides off into the sunset?

Even more disappointing is former Washoe County commissioner Bob Rusk’s vehement opposition to the mere possibility of the entire issue decided by a public ballot. Professing the prescient knowledge that taxpayers would not just say, “No, but hell no” begs the question: Why is Mr. Rusk is so fearful of the democratic process? Why does he hold the taxpayers and voters of Reno in such low regard? Mr. Rusk’s “how dare you question us” form of governance does much to feed the justified cynicism felt by citizens toward all levels of government. It would be humorous if it weren’t so pathetic.

Some in the community fear that Reno’s image may be tarnished if the Aces leave town. Maybe. Others believe doubling down on an already poor investment will eventually yield good results. Unlikely.

When the president of the Pacific Coast League, Branch Rickey, opens the dialogue with the threat of moving the Aces unless he gets his way, it undercuts an adult conversation given the current economic climate. Being held hostage by a so-called partner is no way to do business. Does the city of Reno really want to deal with such a retrograde mentality for the next 30 years? Indiana-based billionaire and coowner of the Reno Aces, real estate mogul Herbert Simon, has no connection to Reno other than allowing taxpayers the privilege of subsidizing his hobby of sports team ownership. He also owns the Indiana Pacers. If the Aces leave Reno, it will be financially consequence-free to Mr. Simon.

The Reno City Council should study the financial impact of the ballpark in an objective, transparent manner, employing generally accepted, yet conservative forecasting techniques, utilizing relevant economic data distant from competing special interests. These results should be widely publicized. If the ball park can pay for itself in spillover economic benefits, keep the Aces here under the original agreement. If the data shows that an opened ended stream of taxpayer subsidies are required, then place the issue on a ballot and let the citizens of Reno decide. Who knows, they may vote to continue the subsidies, but if so, it will have been discussed in the open, voted upon by those ultimately responsible for its funding and at least for this issue, the democratic process, in its own small way will have worked. Kurt Neathammer Reno

Alternating current

Re “Power brokers” (Feature story, Dec. 6):

I am very unhappy with the way my position on smart meters, as well as the scientific information about them, was presented in your article. I would like to share important, science-based information about the potential health effects of smart meters as well as correct misinformation in the article.

In my interview, I gave several important pieces of information to the RN&R staff, including the article “Smart Meters: Correcting the Gross Misinformation.” This article, written by physician David Carpenter, director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at the University of Albany’s School of Public Health, involved the contributions of more than 50 international experts. Regrettably, your reporter failed to provide any of this information, instead focusing on smart meter information provided by the National Toxic Encephalopathy Foundation website.

I would like to share another document that deserves public attention. It is called the “BioInitiative Report.” It is an analysis of data regarding electromagnetic frequencies and their effect on humans. These are peer-reviewed studies that have been published in numerous medical and scientific journals. I encourage everyone who has interest in this subject to read the report. The report is on the organization’s webpage, www.bioinitiative.org.

Having provided the factual basis for concern about smart meters, I’d like to make specific criticisms of the article itself. Several times, the author quoted “engineering consultant” Joseph Tavormina. Tavormina’s consulting firm serves Lockheed Martin (one of the world’s largest defense contractors), along with PG&E, and Southern California Edison. These two utilities companies have been battling consumers in California over smart meters long before this problem came to Nevada. Non-biased? Hardly. Conflict of interest? Most definitely. Reno News & Review, I expect better from you.

Though I brought this to the author’s attention, the article failed to mention that 11 counties and 45 local governments in California have opposed smart meter programs. Four counties and nine cities have completely banned smart meters. Do you really think representatives of this many local governments are relying on “pseudoscience” and “paranoia” to make decisions on health and safety?

Last, my condition is not psychosomatic. After assessing and helping treat patients for 10-plus years, I can distinguish between psychosomatic and real symptoms, especially my own. Furthermore, many people in other countries including Switzerland, The Netherlands, Canada, and Sweden have been diagnosed with electrohypersensitivity, and the medical communities in other countries, particularly European countries, are recognizing the diagnosis more and more. I have already been marginalized enough because of my symptoms. the last thing I need is for local media to publicly discount my symptoms or diagnosis.

I don’t like my name and photo being displayed alongside information about conspiracy theories, paranoia, pseudoscience, and references to psychosomatic illness. This is not the information that I expected the Reno News & Review to share, but it is information that is out there. Fortunately, I and many others are able to determine the difference between credible and unreliable information that is not based on science. It is unfortunate that the News & Review staff was unable to follow the scientific leads I gave them on this issue and was apparently unable to make the distinction between credibility and unreliability for themselves and the public. Deirdre Mazzetto Reno

Our Mission To publish great newspapers that are successful and enduring. To create a quality work environment that encourages people to grow professionally while respecting personal welfare. To have a positive impact on our communities and make them better places to live. Editor/Publisher D. Brian Burghart News Editor Dennis Myers Arts Editor Brad Bynum Special Projects Editor Ashley Hennefer Calendar Editor Kelley Lang Contributors Amy Alkon, Megan Berner, Matthew Craggs, Mark Dunagan, Marvin Gonzalez, Bob Grimm, Michael Grimm, Nora Heston, Dave Preston, Jessica Santina, K.J. Sullivan, Kris Vagner, Bruce Van Dyke, Allison Young Design Manager Kate Murphy Art Director Priscilla Garcia Associate Art Director Hayley Doshay Design Brian Breneman, Marianne Mancina, Skyler Smith, Melissa Arendt Advertising Consultants Meg Brown, Gina Odegard, Matt Odegard, Bev Savage Senior Classified Advertising Consultant Olla Ubay Office/Distribution Manager/ Ad Coordinator Karen Brooke Business Manager Grant Ronsenquist Executive Assistant/Operations Coordinator Nanette Harker Assistant Distribution Manager Ron Neill Distribution Drivers Sandra Chhina, Gil Egeland, Neil Lemerise, John Miller, Russell Moore, Jesse Pike, David Richards, Martin Troye, Warren Tucker, Matthew Veach General Manager/Publisher John D. Murphy President/CEO Jeff vonKaenel Chief Operations Officer Deborah Redmond Human Resource Manager Tanja Poley Business Shannon McKenna Systems Manager Jonathan Schultz Systems Support Specialist Joe Kakacek Web Developer/Support Specialist John Bisignano 708 North Center Street Reno, NV 89501 Phone (775) 324-4440 Fax (775) 324-4572 Classified Fax (916) 498-7940 Mail Classifieds & Talking Personals to N&R Classifieds, Reno Edition, 1015 20th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 or e-mail classifieds@newsreview.com Web site www.newsreview.com Printed by Paradise Post The RN&R is printed using recycled newsprint whenever available. Editorial Policies Opinions expressed in the RN&Rare those of the authors and not of Chico Community Publishing, Inc. Contact the editor for permission to reprint articles, cartoons or other portions of the paper. The RN&R is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. All letters received become the property of the publisher. We reserve the right to print letters in condensed form.

THIS MODERN WORLD BY TOM TOMORROW

How should the nation respond to Sandy Hook?

Asked at Java Jungle, 246 W. First St.

Scott Armstrong

Salesperson Well, I don’t believe that banning assault rifles is the answer. I think it basically boils down to there’s good men and then there’s evil men. And that’s what the country should be focusing on. What is it that we can do as a nation to maybe get back to God?

Jessica Winkle

Barista I don’t think they should put a lot of the blame on gun control policies. I think it’s more like the mental health of the shooter. So I think we should be having more empathy for the parents and the loved ones of the children rather than trying to place blame on gun control laws right now.

Lifting the veil

Apopular Zen mantra says “Jump—and a net will appear.” It’s supposed to encourage positive risktaking, plunging into the unknown with an open mind. We’re not actually suggesting leaping over a bridge or a cliff, but we want to encourage you to take a risk in the new year—be happy.

Because if we, as individuals, obtain a certain degree of peace, then we can find some common ground as a community, right? With constant access to news from around the world, we tend to hear more negative than positive. Once again, it was a rough year, with acts of extreme violence, natural disasters, global conflict, and a brutal election from which we’re all trying to move on. But what’s new? On one hand, it’s imperative that we’re aware of hardships people face outside of our little bubbles, but it also makes it hard to escape from a consistent feed of discouragement.

It just requires a shift in perspective to funnel the bad into something productive. Happiness is a science, and, like all sciences, takes many experiments before revealing the desired outcome. It largely depends on the chemical balance in our brain, which means it has a formula. It’s simple, really. So here’s our hypothesis: We bet that if this city starts thinking more about the importance of community and innovation, we’ll all be happier for it. And what better time to start doing that than Jan. 1?

Making New Year’s resolutions apparently isn’t cool anymore, but few events restart and recharge a

person’s life like the annual transition of the Gregorian calendar. All is in transition—the Earth continues to spin on its axis, and we grow, change and age along with it. Adestructive, earth-shattering apocalypse didn’t happen last week, but it did seem to indicate a sort of societal shift, a united desire to look forward to the potential of the future rather than fear it. One translation of the Greek word “apocalypse” means “lifting the veil.” It’s time to lift the veils that cloud our judgment and separate us as a community, and instead, expose what makes us vulnerable—a hesitant optimism that We have a few we really do believe in this place, that we envision a city with opportuNew Year’s nities. German neuroscientist Stefan resolutions for you. Klein writes, in the book The Science of Happiness, “Our resolve in facing life head-on depends much more on the way we assess a situation than on reality.” And the reality is, this year was a mixed bag, so what do we do now? Wallow in the bad? Or dive head first into the abyss of negativity to try to find the light? We have a few New Year’s resolutions for you. Strive to be healthier. Develop a new skill. Teach yourself, then teach others. Make new friends. And be nice to each other, dammit. We’re not sure what 2013 will hold for Northern Nevada, but we’re certain about one thing—it’s time to jump in and get our hands dirty making this city better. What do we have to lose? Ω Cari Croghan

Emergency room physician I really think we need to pay attention to gun control and mental illness because I think those are usually the two major factors behind these shootings.

Suzi Lunt

Business owner This should unite us as parents. Back up our schools and teachers and all of our communities. We should respond by being more loving, more generous to one another.

Antonio Mulei

Truck driver I think that the schools should have an armed officer on campus or, as long as the teacher goes though a psych evaluation and a gun training course … they should have at least one or two pieces that they’re carrying on campus.