In loving memory

My hands are so small compared to yours Daddy. I cannot fill the gloves you used to wear.

I am so small, I cannot fill your clothes and my feet are so small, I feel I can never fill your shoes.

But, if I listen to your wisdom and advice, if I do the things you instilled in me, then at least I can be as big a person as you were.

I can have a heart as kind and loving as yours.

Then, in a way, I can fill your shoes.

The world suffered a great loss when you went home. But oh, what a wonderful addition for the kingdom of Heaven.

If at least one more person became more compassionate, loving, kinder and happier because of you, that would be a great accomplishment.

I will always love you, Daddy.

In memory of John Falcone "Big John," Aug. 13, 1940 - Aug. 24, 2007.

Your loving daughter,

TERESA FALCONE

Handle burns or move out

In response to "Fire in the sky" regarding burn permits, I live on the north side of Pahrump and many people burn on this side of town also.

I know many, many, many people who believe in Pahrump's burning permits. Many of these people are elderly and have breathing problems just like myself. Burning brush and tree limbs does not contribute to the poor health of other Pahrumpians, especially spread out in a county of our size.

It does, however, relieve the overuse of our county dump.

Which is preferable: burning yard waste or burying it mountain on top of mountain at the dump?

I've also lived here many years and have never seen any lasting effect from people burning yard waste. I see very few columns of smoke every day and our air is not dirty, filthy, foul and nasty as you state.

I have never seen the southern mountain range "disappear" from viewing due to smoke. Fog maybe.

Quit being over dramatic. Just because you don't like to burn, don't penalize the whole county because of your views. When I call to tell them I'm burning, I always get a "live" person. I'm sorry you had to "push a lot of buttons" to leave a message, you must not have called during business hours.

This burning law has been in effect as long as I can remember and I have never seen a complaint regarding it before.

You chose to live in Pahrump, where there is and always has been a burning law, so either handle it or move.

How do you figure the "town fathers" are saving extra coins from a burning law? The county dump is free. Your burn article has no bearing on a stop and go light on 160 as you state in your letter.

PATRICIA DORSEN

Fire Safety

I have been a firefighter in Pahrump for 18 years now, career 28 years. There are still a number of things I have a problem with.

The biggest one is why, with the knowledge that by early detection we can save property and lives, doesn't every house in Pahrump have smoke detectors?

What may be even more startling is that in one of every five homes with at least one smoke alarm installed not one single alarm is in working condition.

The question may need to be asked, "Have Americans become so complacent to fire protection they ignore their own personal safety by not following some simple rules and steps?"

The National Fire Protection Association just released some of our latest statistics.

NFPA is a privately funded organization that educates people on fire protection trends.

1. In 2004, only 96 percent of home had at least one smoke detector.

2. Eight-hundred and ninety lives could be saved each year if all homes had working smoke alarms.

3. Sixty-five percent of reported home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no or non-working smoke alarms.

4. The death rate is 51 percent less with smoke alarm protection.

5. In one of five homes with at least one smoke alarm installed not a single one was working.

Simple rules to follow:

1. Test your smoke alarm once a month.

2. Replace your batteries with new fresh batteries every six months.

3. Never borrow batteries from smoke alarms.

4. Replace your smoke detectors every 10 years wiith new ones.

5. Plan at least two ways out of every room and practice fire drills with your family.

On new contruction, hard wire alarms together so that if one alarm sounds they all sound.

Ealry detection saves lives. Make this holiday safe and enjoyable.

John o'brien

fire inspection

pahrump valley Fire rescue