Dreams good, reality better

Headline on the Drudge Report: Nation's Capital Declares Crime Emergency.

That's very interesting, because Washington, D.C. is the gun control capital of our country. They have more gun laws, restrictions and controls than anywhere else in the nation.

The liberals have been telling us for years that more gun control will produce less crime. Wrong again.

The liberals are dreamers. Dreams are good but reality is better.

Gary Marchinke

Tax increase?

Would someone please explain to me why we are even considering a tax increase to benefit a fire department that has gone from being volunteer with a budget under $100,000 a year and (an ISO) rating of six to a paid, union-controlled company with a budget of over a $1 million and the worst rating available, 10?

Once again our elected leaders are marching backwards.

Paul Jewell

(Later information indicates the actual ISO rating is a six in areas served by hydrants and a nine in other areas, not the 10 as originally reported -- Ed.)

Fine article

I found the article ("Cub Scout lauded for finding, reporting firearm," PVT June 28) on Devon Dace very informative.

Thank you for your fine article.

I am a Scout leader and an NRA certified instructor. I have taught many Scouts as well as young students who are not Scouts. It is gratifying that they listen and remember what safety is all about.

Thank you again for being responsible journalists. Unfortunately, in the St. Louis, Mo., metropolitan area we do not have a fine publication such as yours.

Kevin Cummins

Unfair statement

The article titled "California sets sights on Pahrump fireworks" (June 30 PVT), makes an unfair, sweeping statement about the practices of fireworks vendors in Nye County and it unfairly impugns the integrity and business practices of Phantom Fireworks.

In referring to last year's Pahrump Valley Times "sting" operation on the Nye County fireworks vendors, the article stated, "Most (fireworks) clerks never ask to see a driver's license to find out where the buyer was from."

While I can't comment about the practices of any other fireworks vendors, that statement is patently false and untrue about Phantom Fireworks.

Phantom Fireworks not only asks to see and verify information from the driver's license of every customer that purchases fireworks at the Phantom Fireworks showroom, but Phantom also scans the information from the driver's license into our computer system. We are very proud of the fact that we take such great pains to be in full compliance with the requirements of the Nye County fireworks ordinance.

We believe it was unfair for the PVT to publish such a sweeping indictment of all fireworks vendors, when the paper's own report from 2005 verified not only that we do review the customers' driver's licenses, but that in 2005 we were in full compliance with the prohibition against selling fireworks to Nye County residents due to the unusually dry conditions.

While I realize that the sale of fireworks often creates controversy in and of itself, fair is fair and all fireworks vendors should not be condemned for the practices of a few.

Phantom Fireworks is proud to be a member of the business community of Pahrump and Nye County and we look forward to remaining as a contributing member for years to come.

WIlliam A. Weimer

Vice president and general counsel

B.J. Alan Company

Youngstown, Ohio

Suspect not as portrayed

Hi, my name is Brittany Shemp. I'm writing this letter in hopes that people will listen to a different point of view of the tragic accident that happened June 23.

I did not get the opportunity to personally know Ronya, but I do know the 15-year-old boy who accidentally shot her.

The 15-year-old boy is not who the media put him out to be. He is not your aggressive type. Everyone who knows him and loves him knows him for the fun-loving, caring, hardworking person that he is.

If you were to witness him as the person he is and not the person that the media put him out to be, you would be not so quick to judge him.

Also, please take into consideration that this is election year for the town of Pahrump.

As for our current sheriff for the town of Pahrump, he should also take into consideration that this is the 15-year-old boy's life and no amount of votes can replace that.

I know that the incident that happened cannot be reversed or changed, but your support and open minds will help the 15-year-old boy in this situation and it will also help Ronya's family's grieving process with losing their daughter.

They were really good friends and there was no intention in hurting her.

What has happened has affected a lot of people. I can't imagine the pain both families are witnessing. Thank you for listening.

Brittany Shemp

Shooting was an accident

My name is Kayla Herl and I'm writing this letter from the bottom of my heart to inform the family and friends of Ronya Qutob and also the Town of Pahrump what the newspaper articles and news reports failed to tell you.

It was implied in the articles that the 15-year-old intentionally shot and killed Ronya and I know there are a lot of unnecessary rumors being spread about the incident that occurred a few weeks ago, but a friend of mine and I are here to try and help set things straight.

I was really close friends with both Ronya and the 15-year-old (whose name I won't say) who accidently shot her. It's still hard for me to realize she's no longer here. Not only was I good friends with the two of them, but they were good friends with each other. We all three shared fourth hour ceramics together this past school year. We not only were classmates but hung out outside of school also.

I just want all of you who read the newspaper article that came shortly after this horrible accident that the 15-year-old and Ronya were not strangers. They were really good friends, always laughing and joking with each other.

They were friends, not acquaintances or even the occasional person you say "Hi" to in the hallway around school. I'm talking about actual hanging-out-on-the-weekends, talk-on-the-phone type friends.

I mean, don't get me wrong, I can't even imagine how this has effected the family of Ronya, but I do know now how it feels to lose one of my best friends and I'd hate to lose another to prison because of a misunderstanding of the whole situation.

Once again, I'm not saying what happened was OK, but I'm stating that it was a horrible accident.

There was no intention and if only you witnessed their friendship the way I had, you'd know and wouldn't be so quick to judge or fill your hearts with hatred toward this 15-year-old boy.

Since I knew Ronya personally, I know that if the tables were turned, she'd do the same for me. So, I'm asking for open minds and open hearts for this huge accident, which the newspaper articles and news reports managed to blow way out of proportion.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and listen to one of the many grieving friends of both Ronya and the 15-year-old boy.

Kayla Herl

Thank you, Pahrump hospital

I was just released from our new hospital and I want to thank all the staff for the wonderful care I received. This is the third hospital I have been in within the last 10 months (11 days in one) and I am happy to say the treatment I received at our own hospital is far superior to any.

From the admitting staff, around the clock staff, to my discharge, I cannot praise them enough. The food was also outstanding, the best I have ever had in any hospital. We are very fortunate to finally have our own hospital and the people there to care for us.

Thank you Dr. M. Stacey and all at Desert View Regional Medical Center.

Clarice White

Congress is on Social Security

I am referencing the letter to the editor, "Put Congress on Social Security," (June 28 PVT). Since Jan. 1, 1984 all members of Congress have been on Social Security per Public Law 98-21. They contribute at the same rate as the rest of us. Ditto for Medicare.

There are three other congressional pension plans, all of which are contributory.

Members are not vested until they compete five years of service. With five years of service, they are eligible for a pension at age 62; with 20 years, at age 50 and with 25 or more years, at any age.

The average pension now is about 37 percent of final pay.

There are about 450 pensioners, average age 75. None can retire with full salary.

All this information is available in public documents. Even though "government is you enemy," let's be fair about the facts.

Fred Halpert

Beloved German shepherd missing

I have considered writing to the newspaper for the past two weeks but held off, thinking someone in Pahrump would call, giving a specific location about our beloved German shepherd/police dog.

A notice was printed in both local newspapers under "Lost Dog," which indicated there would be a reward. A few people did call, but the leads did not pan out. I wish to extend my thanks for their caring.

Our 4-year-old black German shepherd dog was lost about 10 miles into Carpenter Canyon. She was wearing a choke collar which had three ID tags, plus a micro chip, so there was sufficient information for the person (s) who found her to call and let us know. She is a calm dog who loves to be fussed over, makes friends easily and is not at all vicious.

She would not be able to return to her home because she was not allowed to roam outside the property unless taken out in the car. We had adopted her only about five months ago. Prior to that time she had lived for four years with her elderly owners. They died and so she came to us. Since becoming a member of our household, she had attached herself to my hubby, who is handicapped.

I feel certain that someone in the area must be aware of a neighbor who has acquired such a dog within the last four or so weeks. The reward still stands for any information leading to our pet's safe return. If you have any information, please give me a ring at 755-537-1211. We really miss our pet.

E.B. Gavin-Ketchen

Save money, get some new deputies

Read the article "Deputy Physicals" and don't know if our current sheriff reads the paper or not, but would like to read a comment from Mr. DeMeo regarding this subject.

Saving $250,000 by having the physicals done here as the article indicates should allow the sheriff to hire at least two more deputies and possibly two new vehicles

I also read the article on the sales tax hike. I wanted to comment on Commissioner Patricia Cox's remark that probably 80 percent of Nye County residents shop in Clark County.

For her information, other than Wal-Mart, there are no businesses in Pahrump to shop at.

Maybe if our county commissioners would get rid of some of the BS it requires businesses to go through, we could get some big business in the town of Pahrump.

Residential taxes will not foot the bill for infrastructure. Big business tax base would, and also employ many people who would, in turn, spend their money.

Brian Lange