103°F
weather icon Partly Cloudy
Boulder City, NV
Opinion

Letters to the Editor

April 20, 2017 - 3:42 pm
 

Meals on Wheels provides invaluable service

As an active senior citizen, I knew about the many benefits provided for locals but did not think much about them outside of a check now and then.

Suddenly, I was thrust into a situation where I was paralyzed and unable to do more than feed myself. My husband thought of Meals on Wheels, and we have been the beneficiaries of this service for several months. God bless the wonderful volunteers and donors to the senior benefits we enjoy in this wonderful city.

Nancy A. Carlyle

Cyclists need clearly marked lanes, stay off sidewalks

Boulder City dutifully marks bike lanes on most all of its principal streets. Yet bicyclists seem loathe to use them. Bicyclists are most often seen riding on the pedestrian sidewalks or riding three or four abreast in the vehicular traffic lanes, especially at Industrial Road and Veterans Drive with their multimillion (dollar) bike path just a hundred or so yards away.

Perhaps the city could redirect some funds to renewing the vehicular traffic lane markings, some of which are quite faded.

Jack Corrick

Officials don’t work in public’s best interest

The Feb. 2 Boulder City Review reported dissatisfaction with the land management plan meeting. Duh. The buzzword is transparency.

Every public servant, both elected and appointed, is required by law to practice it. The elites must solicit public input, but, they are not required to listen nor act upon it. It’s another one of those laws that looks good on paper but is worthless in practice.

Here is a truism that every citizen-taxpayer must know and understand. Rule No. 1: Contrary to accepted knowledge, public servants do not work for your best interest. They work for their own best interest. Want proof?

If you can find a financial statement for almost any government agency, you will discover about 75 percent of the operating expenses are wages, benefits and pensions. That means 75 cents of every tax dollar you pay ends up in another person’s bank account. If we are lucky, we the people receive services of less than 25 percent of every tax dollar spent. Such a deal.

When 25 percent goes to one real estate developer, the elites immediately go to Rule No. 2: We the people are not entitled to know of decisions made at the water cooler or in a church meeting room. Want proof?

At this point of the debate, the elites in City Hall will never discuss (or admit) future tax increases required for schools, roads, water and sewer, and police and fire protection. That is a debate to be scheduled for a future time, after the developer has left town and the current elites are enjoying early retirement.

Now, if the elites hold another public input, don’t be surprised.

Curtis Clark

MOST READ
LISTEN TO THE TOP FIVE HERE
THE LATEST
bcr default image
Understanding Boulder City’s electrical rates
City Talk By Gary Poindexter, Public Works and Utilities Director

“The city held rates as low as it could for as long as it could.”

bcr default image
State of emergency
By Rod Woodbury

My favorite memories as a Boy Scout and church youth group leader always seem to center on community service opportunities.

bcr default image
It’s all about first impressions
By Mayor Joe Hardy

When I was younger, my parents instilled in me the importance of making a good first impression. Look people in the eye. Make sure you give a firm handshake. Focus on what they are saying and don’t be distracted.

bcr default image
September offers something for everyone at Boulder City Library
More than Books By the Boulder City Library

As the heat finally comes down outside, inside the library we have cooked up some amazing events for this upcoming September that we’re excited to tell you all about. No matter what age our patrons are, we pride ourselves on having something for everyone, and our programming schedule for September is no exception.

bcr default image
Looking back on Sept. 11
By Ron Eland

In just over two weeks, the nation will honor the 25th anniversary of one of the worst days in the history of this country.

bcr default image
What is long-term care?
Community Heartbeat By the Boulder City Hospital

Long-term care refers to a range of services and support for people who need help with everyday activities over an extended period due to aging, chronic illness, disability, injury, or cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.

bcr default image
Veterans, seniors: Scarcity of low-cost housing
By Chuck N. Baker

Housing of all types for all sorts of individuals seems to be a buzz-word these days. But seniors and veterans especially seem to be lacking when it comes to locating reasonably affordable residences in reasonably decent neighborhoods around the state. What’s a body to do?

bcr default image
Now, that’s a really good idea !
By Rod Woodbury

We generally expect our leaders to be educated, smart, and well-informed. More often than not, we support, elect, and follow those who appear to have an answer for everything. But good leaders don’t know everything. And the very best ones know that they don’t know everything.

bcr default image
Sound decisions keep Boulder City costs down
By Paul Sikora Purchasing, Grants and Risk Manager

Boulder City residents occasionally ask how the city is able to have one of the lowest property tax rates in the state, and still provide needed functions such as police, fire, and public parks. In addition to land leases that provide 35% of our general fund budget, we also look at ways to keep costs down. As the city’s Purchasing, Grants and Risk manager for the last eight years, I have seen the city make decisions that keep us lean.