Letters for March 10, 2011

Check your check

On Feb. 18, I had the day off, and the kids had a snow day. We all went to a well-known sushi restaurant for lunch and to spend some quality time together. We had a great meal, however, when I asked for an itemized receipt—I had a 10-percent-off coupon—I was treated like a thief. I’ve visited this place twice before, and it bothered me that the receipt has no details, just a total. After being over-charged, I inconspicuously walked over to the owner/manager who wrote the receipt and advised him the 10 percent was incorrect. His response was in broken English, “What does it matter,” and “Why you want to say something about 9 percent?” at which time I realized he knew the amount he had overcharged me without hesitation; he did this on purpose.

When is it OK to overcharge a customer and then treat them like they’re an idiot or a thief? Isn’t there a Nevada Revised Statue somewhere that requires medium or large businesses to issue itemized receipts? After being overcharged and having the owner snatch and change the receipt, the cashier then rang up the same incorrect amount. She apologized and refunded the difference in cash with a better attitude than the owner/manager. How many other tax-paying customers are being treated like idiots behind their backs because they don’t bother to ask for an itemized receipt? You should always review what you are paying for, and I am not from the old school, I’m only 37 years old. As an African-American woman and a taxpaying homeowner, I would like businesses to be aware that Obama is not some kind of fluke, but in the words of my ancestors, “Yesm boss weez can read, write and count nowa dayz.” In honor of Black History Month last month.

Stephanie Dobbins
Reno

All that glitters

Re “The Comstock goes boom” (Green, Feb. 2):

The economic significance can’t be underestimated. The valuable resources that the Comstock may have will provide jobs for the local citizens. Also revenue will pour in to the local communities and for the state. Real wealth is in gold and silver. These people are able to buy shares in the company and will be able to share in the wealth that mining provides. Don’t these people understand that they could be owners in one of the richest mines in the United States? Then they will be able to move and enjoy a better life. Why oppose this when it will benefit many?

Richard Bronson
Scottsdale, Ariz.

Missed the story

Re “Reno 411” (Feature story, Aug. 6, 2009):

I was born and raised in Reno. Graduated in ’87. Released the first hip hop album in Reno (The Line-Don’t cross it) in ’93. I don’t know where these dudes were at, but I never heard of them. To say they started from scratch is some bullshit. We were throwin’ parties at the Red Rose, The Sands, UNR, and local restaurants before dude even came from Detroit. Do some research! The Line album caught local and national attention due to cop-killing lyrics.

Gary Orlando Mason
Phoenix, Ariz.

An open letter

Re “Ensign tries issues” (Upfront, March 3):

Sen. Ensign, lately, we have seen news reports on how you have admitted to making a few bad choices in your personal life, and we must say, in all honesty, if you make such poor decisions in your personal life and let down the people you love, how could we ever trust you to not let down people you don’t know, like your fellow citizens and constituents? I will spend as much money as I can, and spend as much time as I can, to make sure you are not reelected to office—ever! As Nevadans, my wife and I don’t like you! That should be enough reason for you to resign or not run again. This is the only way you can preserve your honor with your religion, faith or political position. Lastly, we are not fooled by your latest presence in the political arena, we know this is just to remake your image, put a little sugar coating on your status and influence those who doubt your truthfulness, but you are the same person—untrustworthy, unfaithful and willing to say anything to preserve you waning political position.

Franklin Miller
Reno

Editor’s note: Mr. Miller seems to have gotten his wish: Sen. Ensign this week announced he will not run for reelection.

Tax mining

Re “What’s mine” (News, March 3):

Excellent bill. Needs to be passed, as well as time to go after mining industry for higher taxes since none of the mine owners are Nevadans but out of country, i.e., Canada, South Africa, etc. Time for them to pay their way!

Gail Dietrich
Sparks

Prepare for EV

Re “Ready, set, charge” (Green, March 3):

At last the experts are starting to agree with me. I have been saying for three years now that we need to upgrade at least half the 3 million auto mechanics in the United States to be competent working on EV, service, repair, conversions, and modify hybrids to plug in. GM is right, it is mostly a car … so auto mechanics will need to work on them. Some say no maintenance is required, but what about brakes and tires, and transmissions? Even Tesla sends mechanics to check the battery and electronics annually. I have been driving for over 45 years and often it was not a motor problem that caused a breakdown. All that other stuff is in electric cars, too, and hybrids have a gas engine, so they are just as unreliable as a gas or diesel car. But there is a 350 volt or larger battery in electric cars and hybrids, and auto mechanics are not trained to work around voltages over 75 volts. In England, all EV mechanics must be trained and certified in high voltage safety, when are we going to require training in the United States? After we kill several auto mechanics?

Dennis Lee Miles
Tampa, Fla.

A cut above

Re “Barber shop” (Feature story, Feb. 24):

Excellent photo spread. I’ve been going to Jean’s nearly 30 years—since it was on Montello. Everyone who cuts hair there is an artist. And your comment about the shop as the center of African-American life in Reno is true. Eventually, nearly every black person in Reno will come through the shop at one time or another. Thank you for profiling the business.

Bill Penn
Reno

Unions work

Re “Tough choices for legislators” (Right to Your Head, March 3)

The primary duty for anyone negotiating a contract is to get the best possible deal for his own side. Sean Cary refers, without specifics, to “rapidly unsustainable contracts.” In view of the union negotiators’ primary duty, how is this the responsibility of the unions? They did just what their members paid dues for them to do! If the public’s negotiators, and the legislators who then approved unsustainable contracts, have round heels, that is hardly the union’s problem.

He also states, “Our current system is not functioning the way it should.” Again, how is this union responsibility? Their negotiators are doing their duty to the membership under a system that was handed to them. Additionally, the unions went directly to the people affected—their members—for contract approval. The legislature couldn’t be to consider the impact of contracts over the long term nor to present the proposed contracts to the people they represent: the taxpayers who will have to pay the bills. I repeat, how is this the responsibility of the unions? If either of Cary’s statements is accurate (and I’m not going to take sides on that point) the correct response is not to change the rules, but to find some negotiators with cojones who will reopen and renegotiate the offending contracts! Yes, this may lead to slowdowns, shutdowns and strikes. In the words of a national Republican leader: “So be it!”

Robert Leavitt
via email