Letters to the editor

Senior center staff, board appreciate support

The executive director, the staff and all board members of the Senior Center of Boulder City would like to thank all those who helped make our Meals On Wheels gala (ice cream social and raffle) a success. Not wanting to miss a single person or organization from the highest city official and his staff to the professionals and their staff and everyone who bought and sold raffle tickets and ice cream, not forgetting the entertainment and the decorations provided — you have our heartfelt thanks.

The community spirit of Boulder City shines through on occasions such as these, and it gives one a sense of pride and joy to be part of a good and happy people.

Thank you again from a grateful servant of your community.

Senior Center of Boulder City

When personal integrity lost, community loses

When I came of age, your status was determined by what you could do. If you produced something of value, started a business and consistently made payroll, then you were somebody.

When my kids grew up, status came less from what you could do than who you knew. Now that my grandkids are becoming adults they tell me that what makes you somebody is not what you do, or who you know, but who knows what about you.

From my grandkids’ perspective I suppose I should have been flattered when I received the letter from Edgar “Rich” Shuman soliciting a campaign donation. I was not. Probably a few hundred of these mailings were sent locally because someone kept a list of people who had previously donated to one cause or another.

Shuman was emphatic he needed my contribution to win that “open seat” on the City Council. Boulder City’s council members are elected at large, and there are currently two openings on the council. As Shuman did not bother to get his facts straight about the election, I am not about to write him a check.

The last time we had a real mayoral race, by which I mean more than one person ran, one candidate stood head and shoulders above the rest by refusing to accept contributions from outside the community or in excess of $500. Without taking money from the dump operator, the downtown businesses receiving redevelopment association funds, the out-of-town cab companies and gambling interests, that candidate still received 40 percent of the vote.

Looking back over the past four years I think it was the person who was not elected who actually won that race. When political victory comes at the cost of personal integrity, the whole community loses regardless of which candidate wins.

Dick Farmer

Williams family offers thanks for support

We, the family of Malgon “Mac” Williams, wish to thank everyone who supported our family during the terminal illness of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Those who were able to visit during his hospitalization and his last week at home brought Mac such joy. He truly loved each one of you and was blessed by your presence.

Thank you for your kindness and provision for our family who traveled from out of state to be with Mac. Everyone appreciated the bountiful supply of food and the way so many met our every need. All of your cards and phone calls were a blessing.

Knowing that Mac was privileged to glimpse heaven before he left his earthly home strengthens us. His spirit departed in peace to be with Jesus.

Thank you for your continued support and love. God bless each of you.

Dorcus Williams

Community instrumental in success of annual egg hunt

Boulder City United Methodist Church would like to thank all of the hard-working members of our events team and all of the dedicated volunteers who came out to put on an amazing Easter egg hunt. We spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars to bring the 61st annual Easter Egg Hunt to Boulder City and are pleased as punch with the results.

We want to thank all of our sponsors: Thrivent, Boulder Dam Credit Union, Nevada Community Prevention Coalition, Sunrise Rotary, Boulder City Rotary, American Family Insurance (Kendra Wright Agency), Plaza Realty, Boulder City Chamber of Commerce, Boulder City Family Mortuary, AmeriSent Insurance, Dr. George Rosenbaum and Auto Specialists. We couldn’t have done what we did without your generous support.

We thank those individuals and companies for their thoughtful donations for the gift baskets. Flightlinez Bootleg Canyon (Brina you rock!), Boulder Dam Motel, Bloom, Massage Therapy by Gloria, Susan’s Skin Care, Lake Mead Cruises, Mary Kay Cosmetics (Diane Redlinger), Bella Salon (Kim Howell), Scratch House Restaurant, Grandma Daisy’s, Scoops, Back In Thyme, Boulder City Florist, Avon (Alberta Ellis) and Sherrill Graff at Blis.

And a special thank you to Debbie Davies with TGIFlowers who wrapped the baskets for us. Proceeds from the basket sales will send three youth to the Sierra Service Project mission trip at Walker Lake this July and one youth to Orlando for a United Methodist Church national youth convention.

And finally thanks go out to Mike Pacini for being our master of bunny ceremonies; to Beta Sigma Phi for their continued support; to the Boulder City High School student volunteers; and to Amy Dickson, bunny extraordinaire. We look forward to continuing to serve our community and will see you in church or next year for the hunt.

Rev. Sandy Johnson

Police officers’ courage makes city great place to live

Thank you Boulder City Police Department for protecting our sleepy little town to the best of your ability. That takes courage.

Mental illness is not an easy thing to confront. Most of us run away from it. You confront it head-on every day. The results are that Boulder City is certifiably one of the greatest places to live. That distinction doesn’t come just because we look pretty.

Linda Barnett

Officers need support, time to heal after shooting

Our public safety, especially our police, deserve our respect and support. This thin blue line protects us 24/7 for less compensation than other departments in the Las Vegas Valley.

I am thankful for our brothers and sisters in blue for protecting us and for taking risks, such as the recent officer-involved shooting. The officers responded quickly and professionally and unfortunately were required to respond to the actions of a man with a weapon who first engaged the police.

The officers involved are getting the professional help needed after an office-involved shooting and they should be allowed as much time off as needed for professional counseling. I know how important this is as I needed this help after our officer-involved shooting in Boulder City on Sept. 30, 2005.

My family, church family, friends and my law enforcement family were crucial in the healing process after our officer-involved shooting. It is equally important to give the officers time to heal emotionally and to not rush them in returning to work. Law enforcement is a difficult profession at best and we owe it to our officers to give them this time.

A sergeant told me when I started in police work that the job is not a sprint but a marathon. We owe our public servants so much and, as a retired police officer and officer-involved shooting survivor, let us do this for all of our unsung heroes.

Michael Barth

Boulder City resident and officer, Boulder City Police, retired