Letters to the editor

Sen. Harry Reid recently sent a letter to our local and State representatives assuring them that if it was the desire of local residents NOT to have 600,000 acres designated a wilderness, he would honor their wishes and not pursue the matter.

HOWEVER, the representatives from a wilderness coalition attending a meeting in Smith Valley of over 750 people last month stated emphatically that they would continue in their efforts to ram this through (as a matter of fact, it was the only straight answer they gave that evening - when asked directly, will you go through with this, the answer was YES.) My guess is that these politically involved groups don't care what you think and believe they have the power to prevail!

The proposed area in question includes, but not exclusively, the Sweetwater Range - currently used for grazing, wood-cutting, mining, camping, and by the Navy (they have a landing strip there). This is not to imply the removal of the Sweetwater or any other affected lands will make this more acceptable.

Among our state officials supporting the rejection of this takeover are Gov. Gibbons, Sen. Mike McGinness, Assemblyman Tom Grady and all the Commissioners in Lyon, Mineral and Esmeralda counties.

The argument put forth by Sen. Reid's staff was that this was being done for ALL the people of the country. Make no mistake - this is battle between socialism (i.e. big government) and the America our forefathers created for us and died to protect. It is a blatant attempt to take from the many to give to a chosen few (in this case one came from Alaska to tell us what we need) - supposedly so our grandchildren will be able to enjoy "unspoiled beauty of nature."

How can they enjoy it if they can't get to it? What will be there to enjoy when the water has disappeared, fires have burned the vegetation and animals have moved elsewhere? How will they even care, if they have not grown up enjoying this beautiful country as we can do now?

This issue is not going away and we must be VERY vigilant in protecting our land and our freedom.

MARGARET SPOONER

Yerington

Removing excess horses would save money

Domestic horses go wild and many refer to them as "mustangs," which they are not.

Any successful rancher knows how much range (feed) he has and removes any excess by sale either to feed or fertilizer. The excess horses should be treated the same way. These are offspring of domestic horses that have gone wild.

Look at the tax money this would save.

EUGENE R. COLLINS

Carson City

Will miss the Party of One

Farewell to Jarid Shipley!

This morning is a new day! I have just painted my finger nails and I have made an important decision within myself. "I will not do any chores, and will not move until my fingernails are completely dry!"

Then it happened! I glanced down on my desk and saw the Personal Appeal and there it was! I could not help myself! There was Jarid Shipley looking at me! Should I or shouldn't I pick it up? "How could I possibly ruin my nails if I read the article? (After all, the article was on the front page and I wouldn't have to turn any pages, all I would have to do is pick it up!).

I picked it up! I started reading one of my favorite features (Party of One) in the Nevada Appeal. Was Jarid Shipley saying good-bye? Is this a joke I wondered? It doesn't sound like a joke? Why is Jarid leaving? As I read the article, I felt myself getting a little uneasy. Is Jarid leaving because his sense of humor was taken seriously? Is he leaving because the readers didn't like him?

I want Jarid to know that I loved reading his weekly feature! I love that sense of humor, and I love to laugh! Jarid you made me smile and I just want to tell you ... happy trails to you. Our loss is Pittsburgh's gain! Keep up the good work and keep up your funny sense of humor, I will miss you!

Well, I've got to run, I need to clean off my keyboard and re-paint my finger nails!! Dang!

Good luck to you kid.

GINNY OVESON

Carson City