Letters to the editor 8-12

Downtown parking

enforcement needed

Why aren't parking rules enforced?

I am wondering why the Carson City Sheriff's Office refused to tow a car that was parked overnight in the 3rd and Curry parking lot the morning of Aug. 1?

The Saturday Farmers Market is located in that parking lot and signs are posted saying it is a tow-away zone and that there is no overnight parking. The car was positioned dead center in the market, which meant it was impeding two to four vendor spots. The vendors managed to work around the problem, however, it was not resolved to anyone's satisfaction.

The manager of the Farmers Market called the sheriff's office and they came out and decided not to tow the offending vehicle, even though it is posted as a violation subject to towing. There was no citation even issued to the vehicle.

Carson City is supposed to be supporting redevelopment and revitalization of the downtown area, of which the Farmers Market is a vital part, and yet nothing was done. I guess if there are 10-plus cars parked there next time, we won't be able to have a Farmers Market because CCSO won't tow. Disappointed and disgusted.

Jayme Watts

Carson City

Mandatory health

counseling good idea

I wanted to respond to Sue Hale's recent letter regarding proposed national health care legislation. Sue was concerned about mandatory counseling sessions that anyone older than 60 will have to attend every five years. This alarmed Sue, but it sure makes me feel more confident.

I am fast approaching 60 myself, work as a medical social worker where end-of-life issues are a fact. I frequently see patients and their families struggle with questions about whether they should have invasive treatments or not. Many have not given this any thought and they surely haven't shared their thoughts with family members who are forced to make these decisions.

As we age, we may have several or many long-term illnesses. Treatment decisions must be weighed and based on personal feelings. So the idea that every five years we could address these decisions is a good thing. It could give us an opportunity to realistically decide what medical care we want for ourselves while we age. What decisions we make at 60 and in good health might be very different at 90, perhaps with our bodies failing.

I have many concerns about the president's health care reform, but mandatory counseling sessions isn't a concern for me.

Ilona Strull

Carson City

Health care robbing

Peter to pay Paul

Rob Peter to pay Paul? What's the rush folks? When a health care plan for our folks in America is at stake, we need more than a week or two and a quick vote. I have to think there is more to this big rush.

Could a trillion and a half be the prize? I can remember when it was difficult to track the distribution of $1 million. And, thoughts of having to sort out the distribution of $1 billion were mind boggling. Let's see, one and a half trillion makes a billion look like chicken feed. Huh! How easy would it be to drop a few billion and not be missed?

Starting way back, three presidents or more, I recall a need to dip into Social Security. It has been a handy piggy bank. Could the funding of health care (let's call it Peter) be a purse to reduce debt to Social Security (Paul)? How financially sound is our government?

William Frerking

Carson City

Cash for clunkers

is a national hoax

I just read up on all the guidelines involved in the cash for clunkers program. All I can say is, wow, what a hoax.

If it is more than 25 years old, it is not eligible, you have to get a brand new car and you have to be able to qualify for a loan.

OK, if I had those qualifications, then I would have a new car and not have to deal with the cash for clunkers program which, by the way, is coming from our tax dollars.

I would have to say good premise, bad execution, which seems to be typical from our government administration. I hate to say I told you so, but the changes that Obama promised seem to be sending our country further and further into the national deficit quagmire.

Way to go. Can't wait to see what is next in line for our tax dollars to be wasted on.

Krista Newton

Carson City