Letters to the editor

Enjoyed running for mayor

I would like to congratulate Ken Haskins and Bob Crowell on their victories in the primary.

Running for mayor was a rewarding experience for me. Although I lost "big time," I had the opportunity to meet a lot of wonderful citizens of our community. Getting involved is addictive and I will remain involved.

I respect Bob for years of Public Service and his service to our country during the Vietnam Conflict.

Most of all I want to let the people who believed in me know how much I appreciated their votes.

However, the election is far from being over and I would like to ask each of my supporters and those who supported the other four candidates during the primary, to trust my judgment in my endorsement of Ken Haskins for Mayor.

Warmest Regards.

STEVE MCCLUNG

Former Mayoral Candidate

Carson City

Carson City could use more sheepdogs

First was Rhonda with speeders, Donald with loud bands, and now Elaine with litterers and dogs pooping in her yard. My issue is the city encouraging, facilitating, and enabling businesses to violate my neighborhoods codes, covenants, and restrictions (CC&R's). Who is to blame? Foremost, it is these neighbors who are being just plain un-neighborly. This trait of human behavior has been going on for eons and is the reason we started making rules and forming governments to enforce order in the first place. Many people will behave just about as bad as society will let them. This brings into play the other part of our equation, enforcement. We will always have bad neighbors. Therefore, to ensure harmony it is government's duty to bring the scofflaws under control.

Rhonda, Donald, Elaine, and I seem to be on the same page in believing the city is not doing a good job enforcing our Municipal Codes. Some have placed the blame on the sheriff but such accusations are misplaced. The sheriff and his deputies are sheepdogs and it is against their nature not to vigorously protect and defend you and your property. As humans we are made up of three very distinguishable breeds " sheep, wolves, and sheepdogs. Most of us are sheep who politely and considerately go about our daily lives. We all know who the wolves are. They are the individuals and entities that prey upon us for their own selfish purposes and greed. Wolves, as we know from Goldilocks, are also masters of disguise. Sheepdogs are those tireless law enforcement officers, military personnel, firefighters, and other public servants who place their lives at peril to keep the wolves at bay on our behalf. So what is our city government composed of. Are they sheepdogs (as they should be), sheep, or big bad wolves? We already doubt they are sheepdogs as it is pretty clear they are not looking out for us regular folks. They could be sheep if their actions or inactions are being done for fear of alienating the wolves. And then, they may just be wolves. Historically, there has never been a shortage of wolves in positions of power.

So what does Carson do about its bad neighbors? From experience, I doubt they will modify their self-centered and inconsiderate behavior. The Golden Rule has to imprinted upon one's moral compass at a very young age. That leaves us one choice. We need to get sheepdogs back in charge at City Hall to protect us from the wolves. I am pretty sure that is what we are paying for them to do.

RICHARD SCHNEIDER

Carson City