Without pensions, education will collapse
To the editor:
Some of our legislators feel the state’s pension, the Public Employees Retirement System, is too much of a financial burden on the state (“Reno assemblyman sees red flags in pension plan,” Monday Review-Journal). As a retired Clark County School District teacher, I take offense to their feelings.
One of the leading motivators that kept me in the classroom for more than three decades was the promise of a pension. I was reminded that I would get this pension if I stayed in the classroom instead of opting for a more lucrative position in private industry.
So I tolerated substandard teacher pay and years of not even getting a cost-of-living increase, with many other teacher benefits downgraded or completely taken away, not to mention the abuse from my employers and people I helped, simply because I knew the state of Nevada promised a pension that would support me through my final years.
Now the state wants to take that last remaining benefit offer away. Yes, I do take offense. To say I am a financial burden on the state is much more than a slap in my face.
To a thinking person, reducing or eliminating pensions for future hires would mean the beginning of the end of public education in our state. With substandard teacher pay, reduced benefits, overcrowded classrooms, rampant incompetence in public school leadership and a general lack of respect for what a teacher does, why would any intelligent person want to become a classroom teacher in this state?
The backbone of a successful democracy is a government’s support of its public education system.
Take away the education component and you undermine the success of any type of democracy. I cannot understand how anyone could benefit from such a pension reform.
JIM HAYES
LAS VEGAS
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Henderson scandal
To the editor:
I am following the unfolding story of the city of Henderson-Christopher Milam land and stadium deal, as reported by the Review-Journal’s Alan Snel. His reports have engaged my interest to such an extent that I am prompted to voice my impressions in writing.
Each article has revealed new information, new insight. The time and effort spent in retrieving so many particulars is evident and noteworthy. After recovering from astonishment with the stories themselves, I inwardly hoped Mr. Snel’s editor knew what a fine job he was doing. Then I decided to let you know that I was appreciative of Mr. Snel’s attention to detail: Links to pertinent documents; unbiased reporting of facts from both sides, as known. The uncanny way he answered my questions in follow-up articles inclined me to actively seek out his work. I have renewed respect for investigative reporters.
I look forward to forthcoming articles from Mr. Snel. It seems to me only the tip of the iceberg has been exposed in this story. It has been said, quite aptly, that a case should not be tried in the media. But without a factual account most of us wouldn’t even know that a case existed.
DEBORAH HAMITER
LAS VEGAS
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Trash pickup
To the editor:
In response to Wednesday’s story on trash and recycling pickup in Clark County (“Trash talk comes with strings): The commissioners had better think hard before making a final decision to reduce trash pickup from twice a week to once a week. It’s a fact that more trash is being picked up than recyclables.
Every pickup, I have no less than 50 pounds of trash sitting outside. Imagine if pickup is done only once a week. Increasing the recycling pickup from every other week to once a week is fine, but not reducing the trash pickup from twice a week to once a week.
No matter how hard you try to encourage people to recycle, they just won’t do it. They will always find excuses not to do it.
NAZ MANSILLA
LAS VEGAS
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Immigrants and college
To the editor:
I know of no law that prevents illegal immigrants from attending college, provided they’re willing to pay for it themselves.
What they’re really complaining about is that it isn’t enough to be given a free education from kindergarten through grade 12. They want those of us who can’t afford to send our own kids to college without taking out a loan to continue to pay for their education.
Our kids can’t qualify for assistance because their parents report all their wages.
VICKY DE LEO
OVERTON
