Letters for April 1, 2004

I believe it was Oscar Wilde who first said, “I don’t care what the newpapers say about me, just so long as they spell my name right.” Unlike Wilde, I do care what people say about me, but the correct name is also a nice touch. Therefore it was a big surprise to discover that not only do I have the same last name as my business partner, Liz Ganley, but that I got that name because we are both divorced from the same man.

Actually, my last name is Reynolds, not Ganley. Ganley is Liz’s maiden name, so it owes nothing to divorce. As for the man in question, Liz does have an ex-husband with whom she is good friends, but his last name is Mueller. I know this because he is my current husband, and, in fact, is the person responsible for Liz and I meeting. He introduced us, we became friends and decided to start up Rad Betty’s. That said, the rest of Stephanie Perry’s interesting and otherwise well-researched article seems accurate. I was home with the flu when she called me for the interview, so wasn’t exactly feeling like the sharpest tool in the shed, but I can imagine saying what she has me saying.

My only other complaint vis a vis the article is that it didn’t include the address of Rad Betty’s, 1185 California Ave., or The Attic, 536 West First St.

I hesitate to say “keep up the good work,” but I will say thank you to the RN&R for informing your readers about some of the perils and joys of small business in Reno.

Leigh Reynolds (Mueller)
Reno

Editor’s note: We regret the mistake and apologize for any confusion caused by the incorrect name and marital status.

Say no to snowmobiles
Re “Thrill seekers” [RN&R, Cover story, March 25]:

I am dismayed to learn that the RSCVA has created a snowmobile convention to be held in Reno April 1-4, with an anticipated 5,000 participants. This event is called “SledFest” and, according to the RSCVA, the participants will be snowmobiling in “the entire Lake Tahoe region, both on the Nevada and California side.” The RSCVA hopes to have this annual event grow very large, hosting tens of thousands in the future.

Picture all those nasty, noisy, polluting two-stroke engines spewing black gunk all over the pure High Sierra snow. That polluted snow will then melt and flow into pristine Lake Tahoe.

People who care about Lake Tahoe spent years working to get those dirty two-stroke jet-ski engines off the water. Now the RSCVA wants to introduce many thousands of polluting snowmobiles! This idea is insane.

The RSCVA—and all governing bodies—should promote non-polluting tourist draws. The Great Kayak Races, from Tahoe to Pyramid Lake, would draw thousands of tourists who like to watch sports. Pair that with the Breakneck Bicycle Races, also from Tahoe to Pyramid Lake, for an event to parallel the Tour de France in tourist draw.

Pat Patera
Washoe Valley

Reno should change
Re “Can Reno change” [RN&R, Cover story, March 18]:

As a Reno escapee who still keeps track of things there, I think the town definitely should change, though I’m not wholly certain it’s capable. I’m not sure how many of Reno’s troubles the gambling industry has caused, but the community really needs several key things—better leadership, less complacency, more sense of community, less corruption and a more diversified economy. I saw great potential in Reno, but the community’s leaders seemed to lack the will or competence to tap into it.

Lance Bernard
via e-mail

Conventional wisdom
Re “Dueling conventions” [RN&R, News, March 18]:

In Dennis Myers’ article, I am identified as a “longtime Democratic delegate.” There was a lot of background noise, so perhaps I wasn’t clear. I am a longtime Democrat, but a first-time delegate. The specter of four more years of right-wing excess is enough to get me off my couch and into the convention hall. Just voting Democrat is not nearly enough.

We have no time for petty disputes among ourselves. We have to organize precincts, register voters and lure the uncommitted. Anybody who opposes the Bush administration has the chance to change things now, today.

Myers devotes space in his report to those who found the convention “lumbering and bureaucratic.” True, giving each citizen his and her say doesn’t move along at the pace of an action movie.

Democrats approved a groundbreaking progressive and comprehensive platform. To focus on the areas of disagreement is to miss the point of the great consensus on major issues: repeal the Patriot Act; repeal No Child Left Behind; oppose nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain; condemn the Bush administration for its failed policies in Iraq.

Patricia Swain
via e-mail