The Voice of the Wild, Wild West
3-24-2000
Helicopters Loom on VCs Horizon
At Thursdays Planning Commission meeting, Sierra Gulf Helicopters presented its case for a special use permit to run a regular tourist route to and from and around Virginia City in the summer. The company will be using Scott, the Little Leveler, Jolcovers recently flattened ground to land and take off. [ It sometimes appears as if Jolcover is going out of his way to antagonize every resident of Virginia City. Perhaps Louis Beaupré was right. Editor. ]
Initial plans would be for a maximum of 12 take-offs and 12 landings per day about three an hour. (The helicopter can hold six passengers at a time, so the economic impact of these flights on VC will be pretty trivial.)The proposed route would bring the helicopters around Sun Mountain (coming from Reno) then over the Divide and down to the "heliport" on Jolcovers property. The helicopter would come in at about a 25% angle of descent, so by the time it got over the Divide it would be about 500 feet above the ground. Sierra Gulf will be using Bell Helicopters, which are powered with a jet engine. Company representatives claim that the helicopter is "quiet."
The company would build a helipad of wood, and surround the pad with rocks extending 50 feet in diameter so that no dust or debris would be disturbed by the helicopters. However, there was some skepticism as to whether a helicopter could land in the area without raising dust.
The helicopter company plans to have a truck on hand during the day with emergency fire equipment. However, upon further questioning, it turned out that the truck occupant would be part of the crew flying the helicopter. It wasnt clear how he would help in an emergency on the ground, if he was in the helicopter.
The Missing 800
At the meeting there were six VC residents opposed to the plan, including Duane McNeiley who said the helicopter flights would lead to a "loss of privacy."
Scott Jolcover replied that at any time, a person could get a satellite picture over the Internet of Virginia City, so privacy wasnt an issue. Jolcovers response drew a horse laugh from the audience.
Planning Commission chairman asked for a show of hands of those who were opposed to the helicopter tours. Six residents raised their hands. He asked who was in favor. Scott Jolcover (not a resident) and a VC Highlands residende raised a hand, the Highlander said he was only in favor "as long as its not in my back yard."
Scott Jolcover then said that since VCs population is over 800, that this response meant that "800 people do not object to the helicopter tours."
Public Hearing on April 6
Because the plan is controversial, and because the public was largely unaware of this first meeting, Planning Commission Chairman Doug Walling decided to have a public hearing on the special use permit at the next Planning Commission meeting on April 6 at 7 pm at the Court House. Perhaps so
More Whirlybirds
At Tuesdays County Commissioners meeting, the discussion on the business license for Sierra Gulf Helicopters (see Planning Commish story) was postponed until after the outcome of the special use permit hearing on April 6.
However, someone else had a proposal to fly helicopters around the town. In this case the company planned to offer flights on the weekend of the Grand Prix motorcycle races on May 13 and 14. The company president, Rod Carr, said that the helicopters would take off and land from wasteland near the cemeteries, and would head out of town, following the motorcycle route (around Sevenmile Canyon and Lousetown Road). The rides would last some 15 minutes.
Olivia Fiamenco of the Virginia Range Wildlife Protection Association expressed concern about wild horses being scared or even stampeded by the helicopters out in the Highlands. Carr said that they would be flying at 1,000 feet and that the horses would hardly notice them.
Further action was postponed because the County had not yet heard from the Grand Prix organizers and did not know what the proposed route of the race would be this year usually the Grand Prix organizers have received permission for the race by this time of the year, but nothing has been heard from them to-date. The issue will be discussed again at the next Commissioners meeting on April 4.
2nd Ferrari Hill Climb Gets Go-Ahead
The volunteer fire department has agreed to man a second Ferrari Hill Climb in June (24 & 25) provided that the organizers pay the volunteers #125 per day. A problem has arisen because the NDOT will be repaving the truck route, so all hill climbs have to take place in June, leading to heavy demand on personnel. In addition the organizers will have to pay for three sheriffs deputies.
Truckee Water
Dean Haymore, head of the Building Department, reported that he had talked to Lisa Ferretto (who has sold most of her ranch, plus its water rights to the cities of Reno and Sparks). Ferretto said that the ranchs water rights were such that in drought years, there was no water available for ranching, anyway. (In Nevada, water rights for a given basin are based on a first come/first served system, so the older water rights have precedence.) Haymore said that McCarran Ranch is in the process of selling its water rights to the same company, and that TRI would be buying back the land, but not the water rights.
Commissioner Bum Hess said that Storey County might be interested in bidding on these water rights, but since Reno and Sparks have committed to spend $12 million, to be matched by the same amount from the Feds, it is unlikely that Storey County can afford to get in a bidding war.
The likely outcome, according to Haymore, is that ranch properties along the Truckee in Storey County will be subdivided into 3-acre lots (since the land is zoned agricultural) for weekend farmers and horse ranches. Haymore added that AGE/Mustang owned substantial water rights, and that the Feds would likely sell these off to Reno/Sparks if they prevail in their forfeiture proceedings.
Sleaze TV
The Commissioners said that they supported the Chamber of Commerce in its condemnation of the recent A&E program about Virginia City, which Commissioner Trink called "sleaze." George Flint, brothel lobbyist, said he was disappointed that "Joe Conforte chose to break his silence of 9 years in that forum." [ Actually, Joe broke his "silence" in the Chron last year, as readers may recall. Editor. ]
NDOT Delays Hafed Bridge
Dean Haymore reported that because of foot-dragging by the "right-of-way" division of the Nevada Department of Transportation, it now appears unlikely that the new bridge by Mustang will go out to bid until October. Commissioner Bum Hess said that he would talk to State Senator Mark Amodei to see if matters could be expedited.
Too Many Cowboys, Not Enough Cows
by
Jaime M. ONeill
A recent survey by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture revealed that there are approximately thirty million cows in this country at any given time. Another recent survey, by the U.S. Haberdashers Association, revealed that there are over one hundred million cowboy hats sold in America each year. The collision of these two statistics has produced a social problem of enormous magnitude and, should the resulting problem fail to be solved, we can all look forward to eating less meat in the decade ahead.
As everyone knows, it is the principle responsibility and duty of a cowboy to boss cows around. That was all well and good back in the days when the cows outnumbered the cowboys. Now that nine out of ten people in America are cowboys, the impact on cattle herds is devastating.
With two or three cowboys bossing around each individual cow, the poor animals become confused and disoriented with the result that they become depressed, lose weight and, in general, become stringy and tough. The problem arose due to the large number of "freelance cowboys" who have sprung up over the last five years. These freelancers dont work for money; they work for the romance and love of the image. As a result, some cattle have been branded as many as nineteen times while others have been forced to hear the phrase "Git along little dogey" as often as three thousand times a day. Others have been known to travel farther than the cows of the cattle drive days as they respond to the conflicting directions of several different cowboys, each one telling them to go somewhere else.
Spokesmen for the American Cattlemens Association flatly declare that America is becoming a nation of discontented cows.
Remedial measures are being taken by the newly formed Cow Protection League. League spokesmen are pressuring the music business and the media in general to cease and desist writing and broadcasting songs about cowboys. In addition, the League is introducing laws in several state legislatures which would require that anyone posing in advertisements for any product whatsoever (from cologne to automobiles to designer jeans) while wearing a cowboy hat must personally own at least three head of cattle. Additionally, all male models appearing in western wear must have dipped snuff or chewed tobacco for a full sixty days before the advertisement or commercial is photographed or filmed. Finally, the Cow Protection League is seeking a Constitutional Amendment (C.R.A.: Cow Rights Amendment) which would make it a federal crime for anyone to harass or nag a cow he did not personally own or had been paid to pester.
Should these measures prove effective, the Nation might look forward to healthier, less neurotic cows, see a decline in the number of people wearing cowboy hats, find it easier to watch movies in crowed theatres and, in general, find itself a healthier and happier place.
by
Julie Lee
VC Chamber of Commerce
The recent airing of City Confidential on A & E ,prompted a need for a Town Meeting on Friday, which was held at the Senior Center. Twenty-five or so concerned Virginia City Citizens showed up to view the one hour tape and to offer ways to answer the questions of why such an irresponsible piece of journalism was allowed to be aired on what was considered, in the past, to be a responsible Television Network like A & E.
Sandy Olinger, from Grandmas Fudge, cited the fact that miners settled Virginia City, not prostitutes, as the exposé would lead you to believe. The constant inferences that the Mustang Ranch, and other brothels were located in or on the outskirts of Virginia City, made you wonder, would it have been that hard to get the facts straight or was the referral deliberate? This gross miscarriage of facts needs to be straightened out.
For those of you who watched this travesty and are as incensed as we are, you can write to A & E and let them know your feelings. The address is: A & E Television Network Corp
Rollovers and Target Shooters
by John Tyson
A mixed bag for sheriffs deputies this week. A rollover accident in the Highlands sent one victim to the hospital, and several other passengers home to their parents. The cause of the accident is still under investigation. Meanwhile, a motorcycle rider from out of state found out the hard way that drinking and driving doesnt pay on the Comstock. The rider was booked for DUI.
The nice weather brought out target shooters who by nature make people nervous when they hear gunfire. No violations were observed, but please remember to exercise caution and stay clear of buildings and congested areas when target shooting.
Animal problems this week include several complaints of loose dogs, and one complaint of a dog chasing wild horses on the Truck Route. Speaking of horses, two domestic paint horses were found in the Highlands, and were returned to their owner.
Deputies also responded to two medical assists this week, including a report of an elderly man who was found unconscious on B Street. The victim was transported to Reno by Care flight. Other calls handled this week include a keep the peace detail, and a domestic problem. Both were handled peacefully with no further action taken.
Other calls include a report of illegal fireworks, vandalism of a house, and a report of harassing phone calls. Deputies also investigated a practical joke that caused several violations of the Sense of Humor Act at the Courthouse. Apparently a jokester planted an electronic toy under a desk that caused a small red light to flash. Turned out the toy was harmless and was not a listening bug as some thought, but did cause some commotion none the less...And April First is still a week and a half away.
Sheriff Whitten advises that the traffic unit is still writing a lot of citations for speed and other violations. Slow down and enjoy the spring weather, and spend your money on flowers instead of traffic fines.
by Jay Regas
It has not been the policy of the Editor of the CHRONICLE to allow me to use my column to campaign for my release from prison. It has never been my intention to somehow miraculously gain my freedom through this column. Im intelligent enough to realize that is futile. Once mired within the federal justice system there is very little hope for justice. My only hope is in a social upheaval to again guarantee defendants rights within the judicial system. My writing of the nefarious events of my grand jury indictment and trial is mostly to vent my frustrations, but also to inform readers of the atrocities that are taking place in todays American justice system. I have often used my own case because it is one Im familiar with, but todays column includes the abominable government conduct in a case of a peer who I am incarcerated with.
We start this tale of woe with the "International War Crimes Tribunal" that is hearing Yugoslav war crimes in Paris, France. Friday, March 3rd, the tribunal handed down its heaviest sentence to its highestranking defendant so far. BosnianSerb General Tihonir Blaskic was found guilty on 20 counts of crimes against humanity, war crimes and violations of the Geneva Conventions, which set ground rules to protect civilians in wartime. Specifically, the General was convicted of leading an antiMuslim pogrom (slaughter of innocent people) in the village of Ahmici during April 1993, in which more than 100 men, women and children were killed and every Muslim home burned to the ground.
Honorable Claude Jorda the presiding judge said at the sentencing: "The crimes you committed General Blaskic, are extremely serious. The acts of war carried out with disregard for international humanitarian law and in hatred of other people, the villages reduced to rubble, the houses and stables set on fire and destroyed, the people force to abandon their homes, the lives lost and broken lives are unacceptable." Then he sentenced the General to 45 years in prison. Now we get to the good part.... General Blaskics American lawyer, Russell Hayman, said he will "appeal this most outrageous sentence."
You see . . . in 1991, Russell Hayman was an Assistant United States Attorney prosecuting cases in the Central District of California, which encompasses Los Angeles. While a federal prosecutor, Hayman gained the conviction of four defendants, and sought, and was granted a sentence of 505 years for each defendant. FOR MONEY LAUNDERING! No homes were burned to the ground. No men, women nor children were slaughtered. These men werent charged with being in the drug business. They were in the legitimate wholesale jewelry and precious metal business.
Federal prosecutor Russel Hayman alleged that their volume was so great that their customers must have been drug kingpins. Their customers were not convicted. The only convictions were the four middle-aged American businessmen, family men, who had been accused of having a little larceny and making money by laundering somebody elses ill gotten gains. They are now each spending 505 years in an American prison. There is no parole in the federal prison system and prisoners are required to do 85% of their sentence. For the heinous crime of MONEY LAUNDERING these four American businessmen will be released in the year of our Lord 2421.
While Im making analogies to vent my frustrations I might as well compare the patch worn by the Hells Angels that seems to upset law enforcement (to get off the subject for a minute. Does the reader remember when we called a policemen, a "peace" officer? Who felt we needed to change their name to a law "enforcement" officer?) with some of the "patches" being worn by police divisions themselves.
The Hells Angels patch is of a motorcycle-helmeted, hollowed-eyed-skeleton-head with some sort of Indian headdress, a wing-looking-thing, above and behind the head. Lets compare that with Los Angeles Police Departments embattled "Rampart Divisions" patch. The LAPD Rampart Division is embattled because some of the law enforcement officers of that division have been found to be involved in unjustified shootings, beatings, evidence planting, perjury and an array of other crimes and misconduct. Their handiwork brought about the reevaluation of over ten-thousand criminal convictions that may be tainted because of this ever-broadening scandal. Several dozen convicted people have already been released from prison due to Rampart law enforcement officers wrongdoing. The Rampart Division patch is of a cowboy hatwearing, menacing-eyed deaths-head, with the dead-mans hand of aces and eights fanned out behind it.
Some of the Rampart Division officers have tattoos of their emblem. The Newton Division has a cigar smoking skull wearing an army helmet baring their identity line, "The Shootin Newtons." The one I like the best is the 77th Division logo of a skull and crossbones with the motto "77th Street Eat Their Dead." Are officers wearing such insignias as evidence of their "us against them" mentality?
To me . . . when comparing our civilservants "uncivilized" patches with the mild Hells Angels patch I would think of the Angels as a group of latte drinking bridge club members.
These are the type of things I like to enlighten readers about so they may become fully informed to how outrageous and hypocritical our questionable justice system is becoming; so the voting public may begin to see through the smoke screen of political rhetoric that is used to increase crime budgets; so the public understands that prisons are becoming another governmental industry that taxpayers are footing the bill for; so the American voter can break law enforcement s entrenched hold on Congress and state legislatures. Then, and only then, will those of us who have been unreasonable imprisoned, to unreasonable sentences, for nonviolent offenses, have an opportunity to reenter society.
