Need help for the kitties

Through a stream of tears I urge all readers of this letter to lend helping hands, physically or monetarily, to Best Friends Animal Society, who have graciously arrived in Pahrump to rescue hundreds of neglected, starving, ill and dying felines.

The kitties are housed at For the Love of Cats and Kittens (FLOCKS) at 2171 E. Bond, located in the south end of the valley.

Directions: Homestead to right on Silver Ave. (Chicken Ranch on left), to right on Vicki Ann, right on Bond (gravel). Best Friends truck can be seen from the road.

Best Friends asked for donations of Friskies cat food, canned for now to re-hydrate the kitties, and dry later.

They also need small and medium hard sided kitty carriers (to ship to new homes), fly strips (Acme Feed has them), live traps (some kitties escaped outside the compound), Gatorade and bottled water for the volunteers.

If you cannot physically help (it's hot out there) please send donations, regardless how minimal it may seem to you, to Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Rd., Knab, Utah 84741-5000.

Or you can buy gift cards from Wal-Mart and take to Sherrie and the crew so they have ready funds for needed purchases.

This will be an expensive operation -- we must help -- this could take months to rectify. According to Sherrie (Best Friends), two of the healthy kitties have been adopted as of July 21 and another is being processed -- only 397 remain.

Volunteers are arriving from Las Vegas. Where are the Pahrumpians? Local veterinarian help is needed. One vet can't do it all. Churches and civic organizations get together and pitch in. This is a huge undertaking.

I have been a Best Friends member for quite a few years and am always amazed by the wonderful "work" they do (they call it love) and what they accomplish worldwide.

Remember the Indonesian tsunami? Katrina? Rita? Best Friends was there.

They will be here in Pahrump for quite some time, but don't delay because food and help is needed now.

To meet kitties and perhaps adopt one or two, Sherrie suggests coming in the morning or evening -- they sleep during the afternoon. Smart kitties.

For more information and continual updates, visit http://network.bestfriends.org/nyecounty/news/17058htm.

Thank you for your compassion.

GERA MILNER

Here are some facts

Response to Mariah's SPCA:

As a volunteer for the Nye County Animal Shelter and at the shelter on a daily basis, I resent the unfounded remarks and innuendos of people who do not have all the facts and don't know or try to find out what is going on have made.

While it is true the animal shelter is small, there have been many improvements in staff, procedures and the building itself over the last two years.

People who are active in volunteering their time and effort in helping the animals in this valley do not sit back and nitpick over every little thing. They look at the bigger picture and then take action by working on trying to do something instead of whining, complaining and not getting the facts right.

Real animal lovers, active rescues and volunteers are too busy trying to make things better to run around pointing fingers and looking for little things to complain about.

The shelter and animal control staff are not the ones responsible for dogs running at large, way too many litters of puppies/kitties being born, animal abuse, cruelty and mistreatment in this county. If you want to blame someone, blame the people who will not take responsibility for their pets and animals.

While it is a fact that the shelter does have to resort to euthanasia of animals, no one that works at the shelter enjoys or wants to do this.

Again, do not point the finger at them for doing their job, point to your neighbors, the people around the corner, the ones who don't care enough to spay/neuter, vaccinate properly or redeem their lost/stray pets from the shelter.

The supervisors and staff of the animal shelter and animal control have to follow the laws and the provisions of the NRS. They cannot go out and act at will.

By the way, there are two animal control officers and a working ACO supervisor who also works in the field, not just one. And it wouldn't matter if there was 20 or 100 officers or if the shelter covered 20 acres. Until laws change and all pet/animal owners in this county and elsewhere take full responsibility for their actions and inaction will the situation improve.

On a last note to the citizens of Nye County, as I have been informed, the only legal authority concerning animals here in Pahrump and surrounding areas is Nye County Animal Control, Department of Agriculture (Livestock), USDA (Exotics), Nye County Planning Department, Nye County Sheriff and the Highway Patrol. If someone is not a legal official with proper ID, they cannot legally take your animals, tell you what to do or trespass on your property. All they can do, like every other person in Nye County, is file a complaint with Animal Control.

Reliable and factual complaints are investigated, but again the laws and Nye County ordinances have to be followed.

Also, the animal shelter is the only legal entity that is supposed to take in strays.

TERRE DESJARDINS

Dave's all right

An open letter to the Pahrump Town Board:

I have been hanging around public officials for over 40 years, and I've come to the place where I am seldom impressed by any elected or appointed public figure I meet.

But I am extremely impressed by Pahrump Town Manager, Dave Richards.

Dave Richards is: 1) experienced, 2) honest, 3) competent, 4) approachable, and 5) a great communicator.

It's time for you guys to stop playing the game of "musical managers." You have a good manager -- we don't need a new one.

Dave has earned my respect. You all need to do the same.

GARY MARCHINKE

Thanks to the PVT

On behalf of the Wild Wing Project Inc., we would like to thank the Pahrump Valley Times for the recent article on the great horned owl rescue, (July 11, "Hurt owl taken under couple's wing"). Nevada's wildlife is in desperate need of thoughtful press to help alert the public of their specific needs and the people who devote their time and talents in this important ongoing endeavor.

It takes many people with the proper knowledge, experience, facilities and licensing to ensure the specific care and handling needed to assist our wild injured or orphaned friends when nature and humans meet.

The keeping of any native wildlife is unlawful on both state and federal levels. And while the laws in place may seem unnecessary, or even unfair at times, they are in place to protect both wildlife and humans.

The article did mention that the nearest state wildlife officer was based in Ely. However, there is actually an officer in Las Vegas. The Nevada Department of Wildlife may be reached at 702-486-5127.

With the help of the folks in Pahrump who had the rare experience of meeting up with this particular injured great horned owl and then taking the time to find the proper channels to have him transported, we are thankful.

We would also like to thank one of our own veterinarians, who resides there in Pahrump, Dr. Suzanne Zervantian, for donating her time and expertise in initial assessment and transport of the owl to Flamingo Vet Clinic in Las Vegas (who have worked with us for over 20 years) for X-rays and follow-up medical care.

Wild Wing was then called for the owl to be transferred for rehabilitative care.

As you can see, it takes quite a few people, giving freely of their time and going the extra mile; from the original callers to the wild-life trained veterinarians to the state and federal agencies to the trained and licensed rehabilitators, all working as a team in giving these wild and magnificent creatures the best chance possible in hopefully returning to their wild world.

Again, thank you to the PVT for alerting their readers and perhaps learning a little bit more about the process of helping wildlife. For more information go to www.wildwingproject.com.

LISA ROSS

The Wild Wing Project Inc.

Stick together, vets

On Thursday, July 19, Pahrump Town Manager Dave Richards held a meeting at his office with Peter and Jenny Liakopoulas and the commanders of the veterans organizations.

My husband, Jose A. Telles, and some of the veterans in the Pahrump Veterans Memorial committee are against the Liakopoulases leasing the building at the memorial for a museum.

My husband feels the Veterans Memorial Building was included by the town board for the memorials and was to be used for veterans to hold their memorial services for their loved ones.

In my opinion the meeting of July 19 was a character assassination by the Liakopoulases on my husband.

My husband is one of the veterans leading the construction of the Pahrump Veterans Memorial.

Dave Richards called for the meeting and was the mediator and should have stopped it. My husband didn't need being verbally abused; did you forget all the phone calls you made to him asking for advice and help?

He is not just some dumb peon, he is one of the founders of the Pahrump Veterans Memorial.

Being slammed like that in front of all the veterans at the meeting is beyond comprehension. He is a Silver Star winner and my hero. He is also very compassionate to all veterans.

Any of you veterans who were in the meeting, where were you at 6 in the morning when my husband was there organizing the volunteers and helping them?

He did not deserve being slammed like that in front of all the veterans at the meeting.

My husband got a rude awakening on the politics side of Pahrump. The Pahrump Veterans Memorial is for all veterans, not just the Marines.

Thank you, Vic Rodriguez from the Marine Corps League Detachment 1199, Pat Peticolas from the D.A.V. Chapter 15 and Alex Delgado from the Service Rock Cement Co. for feeling the compassion my husband feels for all veterans here in Pahrump.

Come on, veterans, stick with the veterans. Remember, Pahrump, because of them we are free.

Proud of my husband and his devotion to the Pahrump Veterans Memorial -- my hero.

JUNE T. TELLES

Proud wife of 1st Sgt.Jose A. Telles, USMC

Hospital did right by me

Regarding the Desert View Regional Hospital:

I was a patient over at the hospital for an operation in April. To begin with, Norma at the front desk was so much help and so sweet.

By the way, Norma, lots of luck on your new marriage.

Pam, who draws blood is also a special person.

Before and after in the recovery room, Deborah and Jan were just wonderful.

Dr. Hoffman was the doctor and he was just super.

So as far as I'm concerned, the hospital is the best thing that ever happened to Pahrump.

Thank you all so much.

JOAN G. FELLOWS

AKA The Chicken Lady

Why live in Pahrump?

Why do people move to Pahrump? Why have we choosen to live in Pahrump?

Some answers may vary from the small-town atmosphere to the ability for one to connect with nature.

A good friend of mine adopted a pheasant, who became known as "Pheasy." He appeared in our yard one day and decided to stay.

If you thought having a watch dog was bad, try having a watch "pheasant."

My friend and Pheasy would take nice walks around the yard, except it was Pheasy that always wanted to lead. If not, he would let you know with a little peck on your foot or leg.

He knew when it was meal time, or better yet, he would let you know when it was meal time. Sometimes he had his meals right out of my friend's hand.

Yep, you heard right -- she had him eating right out of her hand.

He'd greet her at the gate when she got home from work and would listen as she told him about her day.

All these things have become just memories of Pheasy. We just recently learned that someone had shot both Pheasy and his recent girlfriend. Yep, shot, kaboom, gone.

Helpless animals who were put here on this earth, in this case to nurture a human spirit, my friend's.

I truly believe that things happen for a reason and what goes around comes around, and that it is always harder the second time around. Whoever did this and reads this, "I love you."

Sometimes it is harder to forgive than it is to forget, but in this case I forgive whoever did this as they felt it was necessary to fulfill some void in their life.

But I will never forget the sight of my friend's eyes when they were flooded with tears or the feeling of pain in her heart.

So why do we live in Pahrump?

MARY MARTINEZ

Where's all the paperwork?

Town manager and board, how can you think of giving over control to a private citizen, not the group that started the memorial for our local veterans?

Why do you take the words "tax papers filled" out? Where is this listing, where are the copies of the nonprofit and IRS paperwork? All legal 501(c)3 have these copies and give them out when requested. No one has been able to find the listing. You, the town, check online for charities when they request use of the Community Center? I want to see this listing and have the tax ID number today, not in the future.

Anyone can say "paperwork is filled out" -- that is not, not the same as an approved nonprofit, and IRS tax-deductible organization. Anyone with a bit of money and good skills in forms can have a "nonprofit" yet a 501(c)3 takes time.

You need to have this in order first for donations. If this is not in order, all who gave cannot take a legal write-off, and yes, a lot of people do take IRS charity donations off on taxes.

If Peter has so much time, why is he our commissioner? Maybe one of the others who ran for office should step in? That is the same thing he is doing to the veterans group who started this memorial project, the project even shown and gone over at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon, and no Peter in sight?

Peter has worked on projects for the veterans. That does not give him the right to push others aside.

If you pass this lease on to Peter, I have lost all respect for each and every one of you.

BARBARA JOHNSTON

Thanks to outgoing officers

To PAC's outgoing officers and Board of Directors:

Doris Smith, president, Phil Huff, vice president, Forest Cahlan and Francine Winters, board of directors:

We wish to sincerely thank you for your hard work and dedication over the past year. Without your selfless commitment to the arts, our success would be less certain.

We also thank the board of directors who will continue to serve PAC in the coming year. There would be no Arts Council without these valuable volunteers.

Our sincere gratitude,

ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE PAHRUMP ARTS COUNCIL