Letters for May 2, 2002

Larry Arnett says there is a slowdown, tough times with the local cabs. Where has he been hiding since Sept. 11? There are tough times in many sectors of today’s economy. He says that “cab drivers are like a special breed of people"… [but I say they are] a breed unwilling to do anything more than riding around all day. He says that local taxis are being impacted by free casino shuttles. As a local businessman, I am being impacted every day from every side by many factors! That’s part of being in business. Our whole system of things is based on supply and demand. The casinos have a perfect right to offer free shuttles to their customers. OK, so let’s follow his logic—they offer great inexpensive buffets also. Let’s stop that right now as it is impacting local restaurants!

Just one more point: It’s against every casino’s policy to let its employees get free rides home on their shuttles! Just what we need, someone trying to incite the local cab drivers! If it is that bad, go flip hamburgers for $6 per hour. I may be right next to you applying the secret sauce!

Garth Elliot
Reno

Bikes are good
Re “Get Out of the Road, Sweetie!” [RN&R, April 18]:

I’ve been a bike commuter for 30 years, and Carli Cutchin’s article helps me cope with the occasional rude motorist. It’s comforting to know I’m not the only bicycle rider following the rules of the road who nonetheless gets cursed at or flipped off. It’s a similar experience when I’m the only one not drinking at a Christmas party; for some reason, the other people sometimes feel threatened or annoyed, and they can become pretty obnoxious.

That’s too bad, because Ms. Cutchin points out four great benefits of commuting by bicycle: It’s a good workout, cost-effective, environmentally friendly and, one rider at a time, it reduces our country’s dependence on foreign oil.

Reno’s really an ideal town in which to commute by bike, because it’s pretty compact and the weather’s pleasant. But Carli’s right that safe bike routes can be hard to find sometimes, and drivers often become irritated if they’re slowed down even for a moment. I hope motorists might one day look at it this way: When I’m on my bike, I could be leaving a nice parking space open for you. Meantime, every citizen should thank bike commuters for helping to keep the air clean.

Lee Warner
Reno

Saving Walker Lake
Re “Dying Lake Ahead” [RN&R, April 18]:

I was thrilled to see your news coverage on the plight of Walker Lake. The author could have given more detail regarding Senator Reid’s farm bill. His proposal would provide farmers compensation for growing native (low-water) crops, thereby allowing for more water to reach Walker Lake (hopefully). Currently there is a high demand for native seed to rehabilitate millions of acres of burned sagebrush lands.

The caption under the fish hatchery photo misleads the public. It states, “The fish cannot breed on their own because of high saline levels in the lake.” High saline levels kill internal fish organs, such as kidneys. As indicated in the article, the fish could spawn (breed) if they could swim up the Walker River. Cutthroat trout do not breed successfully in lakes. For spawning, cutthroat trout need cool, flowing water with clean, graveled river bottoms.

I am the Nevada Wildlife Federation’s national representative to the National Wildlife Federation. At the March annual meeting of the NWF, I introduced a resolution, “Saving Walker Lake.” The resolution passed and will be used to spread the word throughout the country on the plight of Walker Lake.

Gale Dupree
Nevada Wildlife Federation

No more old, crappy band stories!
Bring back the Scene & Herd column. The Reno alternative music scene is back and stronger than ever, but you wouldn’t even realize that since your Musicbeat page showcases one crappy, middle-aged classic rock/blues band a week. There is more in Reno than a bunch of old people wishing they were Bob Seger, and you would realize this if you focused more on reporting the news of the music scene than giving full-page advertisements (Musicbeat) to one band a week that you happened to catch while getting some food.

Joshua Wrenn
via e-mail