Letter to the Editor: August 1, 2013

Dear Editor,

I attended a meeting of the Sagebrush Ecosystem Council July 30 (my third) in Carson City. Like a lot of things that go on in government, few readers will have heard of the council.

It was set up late last year by Gov. Sandoval in an effort to forestall the feds’ putting the sage grouse on the endangered species list, a measure that would declare large swaths of Nevada off limits to business and recreation.

The Legislature earmarked $304 million to fund the council.

Now the council, comprising representatives of several federal agencies and state offices is working on preserving habitat for the birds. In the recent hearings and writings by the council there is little said about preserving the birds, only habitat.

Cliff Gardner of Elko County and Floyd Rathbun and Bob Clifford of Churchill County have spoken at previous meetings, pointing out errors and misconceptions the council is making. Both Gardner and Rathbun have extensive knowledge of the sage grouse and its habits.

While the council sees farming and ranching as harmful to the bird, Gardner and Rathbun have facts showing that sage grouse numbers were highest in the 1950’s when agriculture was prominate in Nevada and that since the usurping of control over public land by federal agencies the population has diminished.

The council seems uninterested, however, in listening to facts and has entered these discussions determined to ignore public comment and proceed with a plan that if not consciously following UN Agenda 21 idology is definitely working very near it.

The governor should be told that his sagebrush council is on the wrong track and rather than spending millions of dollars on a problem the council does not seem to understand should study how things were in the 1950’s and follow that model.

Jim Falk
Fallon

Cindy Garfield says

August 21, 2013 at 3:56 pm

I would like to take a moment to compliment the people of Eureka. I am new to your little town, and even with that, I am a part time resident. I started visiting your town about a year ago when I met my fiancé, Ben Wilson. There are several things that make my weekly trip to your town a great experience. These range from the friendliness of your town folk to the 9:00 PM nightly horn. But, it was this past weekend that solidified the respect I feel toward your community.
The fires were starting in abundance due lightening storms. I experienced my first ever town horn call for the volunteers. It was as if stepping back in time. As bizarre as it was at the time, it was a comfort to realize that people of your community pull together in time of need. What I didn’t realize, while standing under the stars, hearing the horn call out was that this is true in more than just a fire season aspect.
Due to the closeness of the fires, and the smoke that descended into town, my asthma acted up. This was the one time I decided that traveling without my inhaler wasn’t such a big deal. My breathing became more and more shallow as the smoke went from white to a dark, muddy brown. I knew then that I needed help. I walked across my drive to my nearest neighbors to see, if by chance, they happened to possess an inhaler. Unfortunately they didn’t. But, the care that this elderly couple took to help me was nothing short of amazing. Calls were made to non-emergent dispatch and then forwarded to the Physicians Assistant serving your community. I not only received a personal phone call from the PA, but also from dispatch making sure that I was doing ok. It was stressed that the local paramedics could come at any time I needed. I work in respiratory care in Elko, so did a few little tricks I have learned to help to keep this from turning into a severe asthma attack. (All the while chastising myself for being so careless and not bringing my inhaler!!) I also received a follow up phone call from dispatch about an hour after the original call, just to check on my well being.
This incident may not sound like a big deal to those of you who have never experienced asthma. Let me say this, even though I am trained in this field, it is beyond frightening! Imagine breathing only out of your mouth, then only through a straw, then having that straw pinched half way closed. The fear of not being able to perform a necessary and natural body function is indescribable.
My saving grace was this… knowing that I had the help of REAL PEOPLE, not just voices on the line, I couldn’t pull myself out of this attack.
In closing, I would like to thank you, Eureka. But, there is a special gratitude I owe the following citizens: Bob & Bobbie Dinwiddie, Eric Pasterino, the non-dispatch attendant (I think her name is Debra), the local Physicians Assistant, David. Without your support, my situation would have been even worse. You helped to calm my fears, which helped out most in the long run. I am proud to know all of you!!

Forever grateful,
Cindy Garfield

Comments

Cindy Garfield says

August 21, 2013 at 3:56 pm

I would like to take a moment to compliment the people of Eureka. I am new to your little town, and even with that, I am a part time resident. I started visiting your town about a year ago when I met my fiancé, Ben Wilson. There are several things that make my weekly trip to your town a great experience. These range from the friendliness of your town folk to the 9:00 PM nightly horn. But, it was this past weekend that solidified the respect I feel toward your community.
The fires were starting in abundance due lightening storms. I experienced my first ever town horn call for the volunteers. It was as if stepping back in time. As bizarre as it was at the time, it was a comfort to realize that people of your community pull together in time of need. What I didn’t realize, while standing under the stars, hearing the horn call out was that this is true in more than just a fire season aspect.
Due to the closeness of the fires, and the smoke that descended into town, my asthma acted up. This was the one time I decided that traveling without my inhaler wasn’t such a big deal. My breathing became more and more shallow as the smoke went from white to a dark, muddy brown. I knew then that I needed help. I walked across my drive to my nearest neighbors to see, if by chance, they happened to possess an inhaler. Unfortunately they didn’t. But, the care that this elderly couple took to help me was nothing short of amazing. Calls were made to non-emergent dispatch and then forwarded to the Physicians Assistant serving your community. I not only received a personal phone call from the PA, but also from dispatch making sure that I was doing ok. It was stressed that the local paramedics could come at any time I needed. I work in respiratory care in Elko, so did a few little tricks I have learned to help to keep this from turning into a severe asthma attack. (All the while chastising myself for being so careless and not bringing my inhaler!!) I also received a follow up phone call from dispatch about an hour after the original call, just to check on my well being.
This incident may not sound like a big deal to those of you who have never experienced asthma. Let me say this, even though I am trained in this field, it is beyond frightening! Imagine breathing only out of your mouth, then only through a straw, then having that straw pinched half way closed. The fear of not being able to perform a necessary and natural body function is indescribable.
My saving grace was this… knowing that I had the help of REAL PEOPLE, not just voices on the line, I couldn’t pull myself out of this attack.
In closing, I would like to thank you, Eureka. But, there is a special gratitude I owe the following citizens: Bob & Bobbie Dinwiddie, Eric Pasterino, the non-dispatch attendant (I think her name is Debra), the local Physicians Assistant, David. Without your support, my situation would have been even worse. You helped to calm my fears, which helped out most in the long run. I am proud to know all of you!!

Forever grateful,
Cindy Garfield

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