Second Dayton bridge discussion may not be over yet

Though the Lyon County commissioners decided not to pursue a second bridge over the Carson River in Dayton, the debate may not be over yet.

Many residents of Riverpark and Brookhaven developments near Cardelli Road objected to a bridge in their neighborhood, and residents south of the river objected to the bridge when it was discussed at a recent commission meeting, and all seemed happy when it was canceled.

But some want the issue revisited, because they couldn't make it to the meetings to say their piece, for one reason or another.

Charlie Duke called recently and said it wasn't fair to put the residents of Dayton who live on the south side of the river at risk if a flood or other disaster were to take out the bridge at Dayton Valley Road " the only way over the river in Dayton.

He said first responders, firefighters and sheriff's department officers would not be able to get to those in need should someone have a heart attack.

"I live by the golf course," he said. "It's a common-sense thing."

He said it was clear the bridge should be near the fire station, making Cardelli the appropriate location in his view.

"Let those people yell and scream all they want," he said. "Do what is to the benefit of the people that need it. How many need to die of a heart attack because of response time?"

He called the department a "foundation fire department" because by the time the fire trucks get to the scene of a fire, all that's left is the foundation of a home.

He said Central Lyon County Fire Chief John Gillenwater preferred the Cardelli locations.

Duke also wasn't convinced by the argument the county didn't have the money.

He said there were four or five bridges over the Walker River in Mason and Smith valleys, and that Yerington and those areas always got what they needed.

He wants the commissioners to talk to members of the Congressional delegation and get an earmark.

"It's an earmark that would be well-spent," he said. "It's not wasteful. It's a bridge to somewhere."

I thought I'd include his comments in my column to see what others, who were not able to go to public meetings, thought. If you were at the meetings, you have had your say, or the opportunity to have your say. I'd like to hear from those that had to work, or had kids at home and couldn't come. So call me at 881-7351, e-mail to kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or write to Karen Woodmansee, 580 Mallory Way, Carson City, NV 89702.

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If anyone has a chance to see "A Tribute to the Best of Broadway" by the Nevada Civic Light Opera at Piper's Opera House in Virginia City, by all means go. It is a terrific show.

The music is incredible, and the acting, well, even though the singers only do one or two songs of a classic show, they make it seem as if the whole cast is on the stage.

Real rain, for "Singing in the Rain," terrific performances from "Phantom of the Opera," and a young Ryan Vettle of Carson City is a real standout.

The show is divided into tributes to "Divas," "Leading Men," "Duets," "Kids," and "Show Stoppers," though that's a bit of a misnomer because all of the songs are show stoppers.

Two matinees will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $25 each and can be obtained by calling 887-5601 or 847-0433.

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Dayton Valley Days is this weekend, and I'll be there in the Virginia City booth representing the town's chamber. In addition to raffle tickets for a new Hawken black-powder .50-caliber rifle that will be given away at the Virginia City Outhouse Races Oct. 4, I'll have Virginia City Sesquicentennial T-shirts for sale. Funds from the raffle will fund the town's fireworks next year and the shirt money goes to fund the sesquicentennial celebration.

- Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or call 881-7351.