Gas pains
Re “Regulate gasoline,” [RN&R, editorial, Aug. 21]:
Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said that while gasoline prices normally increase in the weeks leading up to Labor Day, this year’s price jump “struck me as being unusually large.” If Abraham was paying for gas rather than filling up with a government credit card (paid for by American taxpayers), he might try a new concept on the price of gas.
One would think that being the Energy Secretary might include knowing in advance what the fair market price of gas should be rather than waiting for consumers to call his office to complain. You can bet your last dollar that the big oil refineries on down to those who truck in the fuel are months ahead with use projections by the hour and what they will charge us.
We all know that all that is going to happen is that Abraham will make a little noise, and when the oil companies think we are getting too close to causing real problems, they will lower the price a bit.
Phil Hurbace
via e-mail
More HAN
I’m a Reno-loving resident. I really love Hot August Nights, as do our thousands of visitors and participants. It is amazing to me that next year’s (2004) event is already sold out, and thousands of car enthusiasts are going to be told they can be on a waiting list.
It seems obvious to me that we should add a second session of HAN in later August to give police and vendors time to recuperate. There is no other event that we hold that is as financially successful, and at a time when we desperately need additional revenues, this seems like an obvious solution.
We have the administrative office in place with an outstanding staff, and it may take some additions, but certainly it would not double the cost to have a second session, thus providing an economy of scale that would make the second week even more profitable. It might even be worthwhile offering all the participants and vendors a discount to participate in both sessions. We could also offer the participants an add-on golf package before or after the event. This event truly has amazing potential, and I would love to see it realized.
Stephan H. Frye, M.D.
Reno
Police state
Re “Liquor curfew benefits casinos” [RN&R Letters, Aug. 21]:
The curfew of liquor sales except by casinos seems quite illegal and unconstitutional to me. I hope those small businesses take legal action. Sounds like the intimidation the mafia uses on businesses portrayed in movies: Pay a share of your profits or else retaliation.
Ever hear the term racial profiling? I see community profiling when driving around south Reno, Caughlin Ranch or any wealthy neighborhood. Count how many cop cars you see there. Then drive over to ethnic neighborhoods: Neil Road, Montello, Sutro, Oddie. You’ll see police thicker than flies.
Vickie Vera
Sun Valley