Letters

Will you still need me?

Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review.

It’s my birthday as I stand here typing this column. I’m 52. Hard to believe, I know, but I’m really immature. For example, I’ve worn a paper crown all day.

I’ve mentioned in the past that I’m not a huge fan of Facebook. I do it, but I look at it as a necessary evil, and once or twice a year, I go in and delete all my previous posts. I know it’s more of a moral than a true victory as everything has already been databased in some NSA basement server.

But you got to hand it to whoever came up with the birthday notifications. I changed my birth birthday to my adoptive birthday, Dec. 25, for reasons far too complex to explain, but the Facebook knows. One or two real friends knew today was the birth birthday, and the news spread like herpes across the internet. I have gotten almost nothing accomplished today because of the damned thing. Even my wife from 25 some years ago got in on the Facebook act.

But, you know, once the concentration is broken for guys like me, it’s all over, so the next thing I knew, I was cruising Amazon for the latest MP3s. I ended up buying the new Drive-By Truckers, and my whole failing day had a great soundtrack. I wasn’t familiar with this band, but I like it a lot. It’s sort of like Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, the Rolling Stones, the Georgia Satellites, Neil Young from his International Harvesters days. I don’t know, when you reach a certain age and people ask you what something sounds like, the list is often too long to be very meaningful.

Except for the family stuff, the best gifts I got were some documents from Mary Kandaras of the district attorney’s office and Lani McKinley of the Carson City Sheriff’s office. I’ll explain later, but you know me, I’m an unabashed geek, and I love me some data.

And now it’s 4:13 in the afternoon. I’ve promised to get some photos uploaded before the weekend starts, so I have to leave a bit early. I do have a policy not to drink during the semester breaks, but the only thing I’m supposed to do tomorrow is be on a radio show in Lafayette, Louisiana. —D. Brian Burghart

Reno’s lion

Re “Lost painting found” (Upfront, March 27):

So, Bernie Carter wheedles and backroom deals the downtown post office, a popular and widely appreciated piece of local history, for a sweet price and now, listen to him. He’s all Donald Trump with his cutsie replies as to the condition and existence of a widely sought after artwork inside the post office.

“I’m not ready to talk about the painting one way or the other. … I’m not at liberty to talk about it right now.”

Bullcrap. That is not the way someone speaks to the future customers he expects to come traipsing in his little deco mini-mall downtown, I’ll tell him that right now. Not someone who concerns himself with local goodwill, that’s for sure.

I’ll be damned to not let him get his claws on any other local real estate deals in the future after the tone of his replies about the WPA murals inside the downtown post office building. I hope any future tenants of said mini-mall are reading those comments before choosing to stick their head in that putrid, reeking lion’s mouth. Leo Horishny Sun Valley

Justice for hire

Re “Reform prisons the right way” (Let Freedom Ring, March 27):

“Right On Crime” pretends to be out in front on the issue. Dig a little and you’ll find ROC is a trojan horse. Marc A. Levin, not Charles Colson, founded this Texas group. Levin previously benefited from a Charles Koch fellowship.

These are radical Libertarians whose agenda goes far beyond rehab vs. prison. They want to largely decriminalize white-collar crime: an occasional fine is all the “free market” needs. Their main cost-savings pitch is (shockingly) for more privatized prisons and private diversion programs. In Libertarianspeak, “reform” can mean “tax dollar harvest time!” They talk a lot about closing prisons, aving money and so forth. That’s to distract from the ongoing takeover of state and federal prisons by the jail barons. Almost half of Texas prisoners are now supervised by these private corporations.

This whole business is about filling beds with billable human beings. Having these profiteers running our prisons injects a dangerous incentive into our justice system. These vendors spend millions (of our tax dollars) lobbying for greater use of their services. The justice system is supposed to be a sacred trust. It’s the last thing we should ever privatize. C.G. Green Reno

Short but sweet

Re “Strange days” (Left Foot Forward, March 27):

Well written ... to sum it up, the mayor of Reno, or any politician for that matter, needs to have more than just 30 bucks and a mouth.

P. Lopez Nevada City, Calif.

The police we deserve

Re “Who watches the watchers?” (Feature story, Feb. 27):

Police officers who display psychopathic behavioral tendencies shouldn’t be police officers to begin. It seems one reads over and over again that police perpetrators of extreme violence are judged unstable, by courts and by the press. There seems to be a pattern that has evolved in departments through the U.S. to hire personnel that, either noted in their resumes from within movement through the profession, or behavior and experience developed while associated with military service, display psychopathic behaviors. There is a good chance that Manuel Ramos and Jay Cicinelli, who were apparently fired from the LA Police Department are now employed in some other department. The campus policeman who shot a student of campus in Texas recently had gone through several law enforcement jobs before the incident. There is an economic factor involved in the under-reporting of police violence in the media. Most police personnel are paid a lot more than local journalists throughout the U.S., and they have very wealthy and protective unions and very favorable judicial tendencies to cover for and protect them. I have personal experience that enables me to write confidently that good local journalists are grossly underpaid, no protection from the judiciary, and in general, are treated like crap. Ultimately, the public is responsible for the miserably militarized state of law enforcement in the U.S. It pays their salaries, and it votes for the public entities that provide all police personnel employment.

Richard Smith Summit, N.J.

Taxed logic

Re “Let’s get logical” (Editorial, March 27):

The so-called “Education Initiative,” akin to Washington State’s onerous “Business & Occupation” tax, not only should be soundly defeated by Nevada voters, it needs to go down in flames! Indeed, the two leading Republican officeholders in state government need to barnstorm any prospective business contemplating a move to Nevada (Tesla) that the Margins Tax is flying against a headwind from the top.

There are three reasons to oppose the Margins Tax: 1. Monies will not necessarily go for improved education, but rather for administrative bloat and excessive compensation. A retired teacher receives an annual pension of $85,000 for having taught public school in Illinois, the state with the highest deficit in the nation. This teacher stated to Crain’s Chicago Business that she never made that much money during her years actually teaching school. A retiree from teaching community college in California enjoyed a generous health plan never entailing a co-payment. 2. The tax imposes a major administrative headache for all Nevada businesses, entrepreneurs, professionals, and independent contractors because even if it is likely they will not bump up against the threshold, it is a new requirement that everyone will have to worry about, distorting decisions about investment to avoid liability. As someone who prepares income tax returns for entities in California and Illinois, I know from experience what a nightmare anything that may be construed as state income taxation can be. 3. The tax will be counterproductive by driving away businesses already established or contemplating a move here, and prompting many others to reduce their scale of operations. Nevada may appeal to gamblers and outdoor enthusiasts, but its greatest cachet remains that Wyoming is the only other state with “no individual or corporate income taxes”—no ifs, ands or buts about it.

Bill Stremmel Sparks

Who knew?

Re “Failed experiment” (Feature story, March 13):

An informative read on the history of medical dope in Nevada. Being a conservative, with libertarian leanings, I have mixed feelings on medical marijuana.

I find it very ironic that the far left want to outlaw E cigarettes as “health hazards” while standing in line to vote in legal whacky weed. Of course the tax money will “go to the schools,” which is always a sales pitch for more taxes. We will have the newest schools, with kids that are so stoned, they can’t recall their test material.

Just how many legal joints can be smoked before one’s lungs are damaged? We should know in a very few years.

Or it could be like gambling. Folks get their government assistance check on the first, then have given most of it back to the state and fed, by about the third, through the casinos which took their cut of the profits, and the state, which took their bite. And their kids still need shoes. They are the victims of oxygen thief parents, just like always.

Maybe the legal dope thing will work the very same way. Dopers cash government checks, and the government gets most of it back from the taxes of their legal sales points, a pretty good scheme for those running it. Ron Ryder Fallon

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 Calendar Editor Kelley Lang Staff writer Sage Leehey Contributors Amy Alkon, Woody Barlettani, Laura Davis, Bob Grimm, Ashley Hennefer, Sheila Leslie, Dave Preston, Jessica Santina, Todd South, Brendan Trainor, Bruce Van Dyke, Allison Young Creative Director Priscilla Garcia Art Director Hayley Doshay Junior Art Director Brian Breneman Design Serene Lusano, Marianne Mancina, Skyler Smith Advertising Consultants Gina Odegard, Bev Savage Senior Classified Advertising Consultant Olla Ubay Office Manager/Ad Coordinator Karen Brooke Executive Assistant/Operations Coordinator Nanette Harker Distribution Manager Valerie Mets Distribution Drivers Trevor Bexon, Sandra Chhina, Ron Large, Joe Medeiros, Ron Neill, Andy Odegard, Jesse Pike, Martin Troye, Warren Tucker, Matthew Veach, Gary White, Joseph White General Manager/Publisher John D. Murphy President/CEO Jeff vonKaenel Chief Operations Officer Deborah Redmond Human Resource Manager Tanja Poley Business Manager Grant Ronsenquist Business Nicole Jackson, Tami Sandoval 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 email 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&R are 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.

Itʼ s happening in !

ACTIVITIES

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL

Nevada Land Trust’s largest annual fundraiser and an amazing evening of adventure fi lms. Th, 4/3, 7-9:30PM, $20-$55. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

CROCHET CONNECTION

Learn to crochet or share tips with other crochet enthusiasts. Th, 4-5:45PM, free. Spanish Springs Library, 7100A Pyramid Lake Highway (775) 424-1800

CLICKETS KNITTING GROUP

Jean Peters guides this class for knitters of all ages and levels. Yarn and needles are available. First and Third Su of every month, 1:30-3PM, free. Spanish Springs Library, 7100A Pyramid Lake Highway, Spanish Springs (775) 424-1800

SCHEELS RUNNING CLUB

Run with expert pacers and enjoy running in a group Tu, 6:30PM through 12/9, free. Scheels, 1200 Scheels Dr. (775) 331-2700

FOUR SEASONS BOOK CLUB

The book club meets the fi rst Saturday of each month. Call to fi nd out each month’s book title. First Sa of every month, 1-2PM, free. Sparks Library, 1125 12th St. (775) 352-3200

GRAFTING FRUIT TREES

Learn simple techniques of grafting apple trees. Each participant will make six (6) trees to take home. Please RSVP. Sa, 4/5, 10AMnoon & 2-4PM, $40. Rail City Garden Center, 1720 Brierley Way (775) 355-1551

ROADMAP TO HOME OWNERSHIP

Nevada Rural Housing Authority hosts a free Homebuyer’s Expo designed to educate prospective homeowners on what goes into buying a house. Sa, 4/5, 10:30AM-2:30PM, free. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

CONVERSATION CAFE

The drop-in conversation program meets on the fi rst Saturday of each month, 2-4PM, free. Sparks Library, 1125 12th St. (775) 352-3200

PERFORMANCE AND MUSIC

DJ BOBBY G

DJ Bobby G rocks The Cat’s Meow at Bourbon Square Friday & Saturday nights! 8PM. No cover. Bourbon Square Casino, 1040 Victorian Ave. (775) 997-7177

JASON KING

F, 4/4, 8PM, no cover. Great Basin Brewing Co., 846 Victorian Ave. (775) 355-7711

DOWN NORTH

F, 4/4, 9PM, no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030 OPEN JAM WITH TAZER AND FRIENDS W, 8PM, no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030

MOON GRAVY

Sa, 4/5, 8PM and Sa, 5/3, 8PM, no cover. Great Basin Brewing Co., 846 Victorian Ave. (775) 355-7711

CHRIS BOTTI

Sa, 4/5, 9PM, $79. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

HYPNOTIST SUSAN ROSEN

4/11-4/12, 7PM-9:30PM. Tickets $20 + service fee, available at http://bpt.me/622893 Bourbon Square Casino, 1040 Victorian Ave. (775) 997-7177

BUDDY EMMER

4/18-4/19, 8PM, free. Bourbon Square Casino, 1040 Victorian Ave. (775) 997-7177

COUNTRY NIGHT

Thursdays, 6:30PM – 10PM, free. Bourbon Square Casino, 1040 Victorian Ave. (775) 997-7177

LIVE MONDAYS WITH TANY JANE

Open mic night every Monday at 8PM, hosted by Tany Jane. M, 8PM, no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030

ERIKA PAUL

Enjoy Louisiana-style food and the soulful, breathtaking jazz sounds of Erika Paul on keyboards and vocals. No cover. Th, 6PM, no cover. Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen, 1180 Scheels Dr. (775) 657-8659

BLACK AND BLUES JAM

Tu, 8:30PM, no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030

LIVE JAZZ

Vocal and instrumental jazz from “The Great American Songbook”, performed by First Take featuring Rick (SAX) Metz. Fridays, 6PM through 12/27, no cover. Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen, 1180 Scheels Dr., Sparks, NV 89441 (775) 657-8659

KARAOKE

Th-Sa, 9PM, no cover. Bottom’s Up Saloon, 1923 Prater Way (775) 359-3677

Th, 7-10PM through 4/24, No cover Elbow Room Bar, 2002 Victorian Ave. (775) 356-9799

Sa, 8PM, no cover. 50 Yard Line Bar & Grill, 400 S. Rock Blvd. (775) 358-8848

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