Just leave Lonnie alone
To the editor:
Jim Day's cartoon in Thursday's paper said it far better than Wednesday's news story about Dr. Lonnie Hammargren being given a timeline to clean up his back yard.
Like everyone else who drives along that section of Sandhill Road, my wife and I enjoy checking on what's new that we can see from our car. And we can't understand why, after all these years, Dr. Lonnie is being "brought to justice" for not having a building permit (he's not building, just adding to his collection) and for allowing that collection to show above his wall.
Imagine that -- you can see part of a Statue of Liberty as you drive by. Ironic, would you say?
Those of us who have been to his open house sessions, or his occasional yard sale, or to small group meetings (to view the night sky from his rooftop observatory), know that, while most of us just live in our homes, Dr. Lonnie has fun with his. And he's not been shy about letting other people come by to marvel with him.
Dr. Hammargren and Mayor Oscar Goodman are two of the finest "characters" to live in Nevada since Mark Twain was writing for the newspaper in Virginia City. We should celebrate, not condemn, them.
George Appleton
LAS VEGAS
In the wallet
To the editor:
In reference to the April 9 letter to the editor by Joe Wilcock ("Smoking ban"):
Mr. Wilcock makes the allegation that tavern business has gone down because of the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act. His "matter of record" must not include the taverns in my part of town, because many of those establishments have all totally ignored the smoking ban, yet I bet their business has also gone down at about the same rate as the rest of the valley.
Since these taverns are not complying with the smoking ban, like so many other throughout the valley, what could have caused the reduction in their business? Could it be that people don't want to go to taverns that are still allowing people to smoke?
It's also not true the "intent" of the smoking ban was only to protect children from secondhand smoke. That's a sorry argument that simply isn't true. The smoking ban was overwhelmingly approved by the voters to protect everyone -- regardless of age.
The Nevada Legislature shouldn't even be considering changing the law. Instead, lawmakers should be finding a way to put some teeth into the enforcement effort, and support the "will of the people" by hitting the violators right in the wallet.
Jim ODEM
LAS VEGAS
Register here
To the editor:
Senate Bill 394, which makes changes to provisions relating to Off Highway Vehicles, is a perfect example of why we should allow the Legislature to meet only every two years -- or maybe only every five.
After trying -- and failing -- to force registration of OHVs for the past several years, they're at it again. Apparently they won't stop until they have your money.
Their previous deceptions didn't work. First, they wanted to protect dealer sales; then provide wonderful services for off-roaders; then it was all about protecting the land. I'm sure that safety and the War on Terror were in there somewhere, too.
This time they start jabbering about OHVs not being legal to use on highways, like this is some big problem only registration will solve. Then they jump right into requiring registration fees to be collected into a fund. The fund will be used for "off-road projects." One "project" will be creating a Commission on Off Highway Vehicles. These people will be paid per diem from the fund, if the money hasn't been spent on other "projects." Ostensibly, their job will be to figure out ways to spend your money.
What is the purpose of this bill? Why was it written? What "projects" are planned? Other than levying a new tax for no discernible reason, what possessed them to draft this bill? What needed services is it going to provide?
I wish they just had the courage to say, "OHV riders, we have received noise complaints from the jingle of change in your pockets, and we are acting to stop this vile intrusion of the public's right to enjoy the outdoors in a quiet and peaceful manner."
But they don't have the courage. This is just another legislative bridge being built where there is no river.
Robert Frenchu
CARSON CITY
