Letters to the editor for Friday, April 29, 2016

The Nevada Appeal is accepting stories about moms, no more than 300 words, through May 5. Email stories and no more than two photos to editor@nevadaappeal.com, or fax them to 775-887-2420, or mail them to the Nevada Appeal, 580 Mallory Way, Carson City NV 89701. Stories will be printed on Mother’s Day, May 8.

City should welcome renovation, newcomers

Bravo to Donna Inversin for her positive upbeat letter on April 22 about Carson City and the volunteers who make it a great place to live. It has taken vision and the willingness to try something new that has brought us to where we are.

Fortunately, the majority of the supervisors and taxpayers have that vision. Constantly saying “No!” to everything gets us nowhere. There will be lots of vitriol about the work taking place on Carson Street. If you spend some time down there, you will realize the reconfiguration of the street and sidewalks is the minor part of the job. The major, and required part, is the mandatory replacement of ancient pipes under the street. That is my impression as I “supervise” the work almost daily.

Come on, Carson! Welcome the newcomers and enjoy our lives in this great city!

Oscar W. Ford

Carson City

Windfall Elimination Provision is unfair

I served the federal government for 20 years with NASA doing procurement. I also worked in the private sector as a teacher. When I retired, I was surprised to learn my Social Security benefit would be $350 less per month than my colleagues and neighbors who had never worked for the federal government. This is all because of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) under the Social Security law.

Throughout my government career, I held myself to a high standard of fairness and equity. But now in retirement, I’m subject to a law that is anything but fair and equitable from my point of view. This provision unfairly reduces my Social Security benefits for no other reason than I worked for the government.

Legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, would reform the WEP. The Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act, H.R. 711, recognizes the work I’ve done and the contributions I’ve made, and would adjust my Social Security benefits accordingly. Plus it would do so without costing taxpayers a nickel. Support fairness and equity now.

Sincerely,

Theresa Marilyn Watson

Minden