Fall Festival parade costs

My wife and I are members of the Pahrump Model A's, a nonprofit group who share an interest in Ford Model A's that were built from 1928 through 1931.

We have 23 member couples at this time and we have participated in parades in Beatty, Las Vegas, Laughlin, Shoshone and the Pahrump Fall Festival, as well as local car shows.

We received the application to participate in this year's Fall Festival parade and were really surprised that everyone will be charged to participate. A single entry is $20, floats are $30, a horse is $20. Pedestrian groups will be charged $30 for from two to 25 people.

We are classified as a vehicle group and will be charged $30 for the first four cars, plus $10 for each additional car. We have invited the Las Vegas Model A's to join us. Last year they brought eight cars and we had 10 -- this year, that many will cost us $170.

I have never been charged to participate in a parade before. I was a member of the Elks' clowns for many years and we were invited to all the parades in the area and never were charged for participating.

I can understand charging for commercial entries since they are, in effect, advertising. Are they going to charge the Pahrump High School band members, and the Boy Scouts who carry the banners, at those rates?

Also, the committee is requesting payment in advance. We have no way of knowing how many vehicles will show up on the day of the parade. It's possible that some people may have a health problem or cars may not be running properly at that time.

And I wonder who will be out there counting heads to be sure the pedestrian group entrants paid for enough people. Also, nowhere in the application did I find information as to the disposition of the fees that are collected.

I have to assume that the parade will be much shorter this year. The Pahrump Model A's car club is undecided at this time about participating.

DUTCH SCHULTZ

Right to bear arms

In response to Jane Schmidt's suggestion that weapons be banned from the Bob Ruud Center: the Second Amendment is included in the bill of rights to protect us, among other things, from a tyrannical government. Where better to make use of that protection than during government meetings held at the Bob Ruud Center.

I don't condone irate phone calls to you, though the callers' right to speak to you rather than write is protected by the First Amendment that you suggest he use.

You cannot pick and choose when, where and how you want other's rights to be protected by the Constitution. Your own beliefs cannot be imposed on others.

The Second Amendment not only guarantees the First Amendment but is our best defense to ensure that none of our rights are infringed.

I am very happy that so many Pahrump residents accept the responsibility for their own safety and security by openly carrying a weapon. I find a true comfort in the ability to protect myself and others should the need arise.

I would suggest to those that are not yet comfortable handling their own defense that a weekend at Front Sight would be in order. Front Sight is one of our nation's premier schools for firearm training and is located within Pahrump.

Jane, with the training provided by Front Sight, you, too, can feel secure with your own sidearm securely strapped to your side. You can then feel quite safe amongst the rest of us at the Bob Ruud Center, in local businesses, and throughout the rest of the good old United States of America.

"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government."

- George Washington

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.

"Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." --Ben Franklin

BETH DUENSING