Letters to the editor

Who are the 'concerned citizens?'

Dear editor:

Here we go again, nameless powerbrokers working behind the scenes!

In your sister publication, The Nevada News dated 2/23/05, there was a paid advertisement on page 7 with the header of, "Nevada Water Rate Payers!!"

I object to the ad writer's use of the phrase, "Concerned Citizens of Nevada" in the lower righthand corner.

As you know, in 2001, I was the first chairman of a group calling it self, "Concerned Citizens of Nevada". We recently changed our name to, "Concerned Citizens of Southwest Nevada". However, we are still well-known by the former name. Our group was originally formed for the purpose of opposing the plans to greatly alter South College Street.

We were able to prevail on the College Street issue, thanks to thorough news coverage in the Nevada Daily Mail and the local radio station, plus the acquisition of over 500 signatures on our petition.

However, the hardest part of our task wasn't gathering the signatures... it was fighting the nameless powerbrokers behind the scenes.

Yes, I know it is not a copyrighted name and anyone can call themselves "a concerned citizen", BUT the writer(s) of the aforementioned ad capitalized the name, thereby, in my opinion, implied that our group had placed the ad. I wonder if this is some kind of subterfuge to hide the identity of the ad writer(s).

The hallmark of our neighborhood group has always been to be OPEN and ABOVE-BOARD.

If they feel that using our name helps their cause, we are flattered, but members of our neighborhood group have various opinions regarding the audit issue and the City Council race. Therefore, it is inappropriate for the ad writer(s) to give the impression that our group supports any position on this issue.

Since everyone in our neighborhood group is proud to divulge their names, I call upon the writers of this ad to do the same and be OPEN and ABOVE-BOARD. Tell us your names. Don't hide in the shadows. Step into the daylight and show that you are proud of your positions. Everyone won't agree with you, BUT you might earn their respect.

I do agree with their plea, "Please Vote On March 8, 2005", but I also appeal to the voters... please do not vote for candidates that have an axe to grind. We need peace and harmony, for a change, so that our community can continue to grow and prosper.

-- David Bishop

"a concerned citizen"

Nevada