Joni the flipper

Well, well, well, now I know why they call Commissioner Joni Eastley the flipper. Seems she can't support all the ordinances in the county, just the ones that fit her mood.

When the Focus Group wanted to double the number of homes they could build on an acre, from four to eight homes on an acre, she had no problem in granting them their request.

But when the Cotton Pickin Casino, a business that has been here for eons, wants to expand and double the number of slot machines, she all of a sudden develops a backbone and says they must obey the county ordinances, which says if you want more than 15 slots, you must build a 45-room hotel.

Give me a break.

I guess we know now why no businesses want to come to our town. If you want to build thousands of homes, come on down, the rules don't apply. But, if you want to expand your business, and bring in more revenue, you must adhere strictly to the rules.

Joni, do you know what this makes you look like? Hint: hee-haw, hee-haw.

Jane Schmidt

It said 'Pahrump' idol

I would like to know how and why the organizers of the "Pahrump Fall Festival Idol" competition held here during the Fall Festival would allow a singer from Las Vegas to come to our hometown and compete and ultimately win the $1,000 first prize.

It does not matter which singer won, but with the advertised name of "Pahrump Fall Festival Idol," it was expected that it would be a local singer.

I consider the situation unfair, unacceptable and immoral and I suggest that the $20 audition fees that were collected from each prospective contestant should be refunded.

Linda Kass

Are we waiting for a fatality?

Why is the speed limit 35 mph on the highway through town, but in most of the residential areas the speed limit is 45?

Most of the drivers don't obey the speed limit on my street. I have followed them, and they are going 60 and better. I have contacted the police and after many calls they put up that little trailer with the speed radar on it, for one day.

I thought that the speed limit in residential areas was also 35, but they tell me it is not. Are they waiting for someone to get killed?

Thank you are letting me rant.

Maxine Delicata

Don't do this, commissioners

To: Nye County Board of County Commissioners.

RE: Proposed Amendments to Nye County Code 17.04 Regarding Animal Sheltering. We believe you are calling this Bills 2006-19 and 2006-25.

The amendments proposed Sept. 20, to change the Nye County Code regarding animal control issues and kennels will not work for Pahrump. Pahrump is still a rural farming/ranching community that should be freely allowed to house livestock, rescued animals and companion animals, as long as they are properly cared for.

If you don't believe Pahrump is a rural community, just drive through Pahrump and compare the amount of land devoted to two-and-a-half- to 10- or 20-acre parcels with some type of animals on it, versus the amount of land devoted to densely-populated condos, apartments, or other multi-family dwellings. These apartments are most usually located within the inner core, or "downtown" area of Pahrump.

Nye County has failed miserably to provide animal shelters and proper animal control for its communities for over 20 years. Because of this, hundreds of innocent homeless animals were euthanized weekly in the small, totally inadequate animal control facility which is run by Nye County.

Because of this condition, dozens of small, rural animal rescue groups and individuals have stepped in and built small facilities to provide shelter, temporarily house and adopt out Pahrump's unwanted animals. Most of these facilities are operated by competent, experienced people, well-versed in the proper care and feeding of animals.

They have been doing the job that Nye County has not seen fit to do.

Many of them are located on parcels smaller that the 10-acre proposed lot size that is proposed in these changes. These amendments will only serve to destroy these facilities and force animal control to again have to euthanize hundreds of innocent animals weekly because you do not have the proper size and type of animal shelter that is needed for a town the size of Pahrump.

There will always be the cases of animal abuse perpetrated by people with a mental illness, or otherwise uncaring and unknowledgeable people who hoard and abuse animals. Neighbors of these people and law enforcement need to be vigilant in finding out where these hoarders are and eliminate them.

Changing codes to force responsible animal rescuers out of business is not the answer to this problem -- it will only make the situation worse.

Nye County needs to form a long overdue plan to provide adequate animal control and build an adequate animal control shelter facility so that you don't have this problem in the first place. There are numerous examples of states and counties in this country who are doing a great job of this that Nye County can use as an example. No More Homeless Pets In Utah is but just one example. Look at our neighbor, Henderson, to see a great animal control facility.

Don't try to punish responsible people for the misdeeds of a few. Attack the problem in the correct way. Sections c. through p. of 17.04.700 of the proposed code are just common sense and okay. Sections a. and b. are the problem.

Just don't do this. It is wrong.

Mary Ann and Gary Michalsky