It can only get worse

Mr. Saxman seemed a bit perturbed to find that radioactive waste was being transported through Pahrump in the dead of night. He should have attended some of the Department of Energy's Citizens Advisory Board meetings on radioactive waste.

They, the DOE appointees, will explain to you that the waste is relatively harmless and will continue being shipped to the test site forever. They have these big holes in the ground from the atomic tests that need to be filled and can never be de-contaminated, so it will continue forever.

Mayor Goodman of Las Vegas said that he would use his police to block the streets before he would allow radioactive shipments to go through his town. We have a town manager and the County Commissioners to look out for our welfare.

Commissioner Hollis hasn't made any attempt to hide the fact that he is in the DOE's pockets. As long as the county is relying on PETT funds to run things, life will go on as usual.

I'm sure that if we have a spill on Highway 160, in the heart of town they will be out there with a pickup truck and some shovels to clean it up, knowing that the stuff is harmless. As bad as this seems to be, if the DOE ever gets Yucca Mountain, up and running, it can only get worse.

RICHARD A. BROWN

My prediction

I just finished reading the open letter to the Valley Electric Association by M.E. and G.G. Milner. I could not agree with them more.

Valley Electric has no problem taking from the not-so-well-off and giving to the not-so-bad-off. It is my understanding that scholarships and summer camps benefit mostly the children of those who are employed by VEA, who's pay and benefits are a little more than generous.

VEA, if I am wrong on that issue feel free to correct me on one of your never-ending parade of costly and I might add, boring infomercials that I seem not able to escape. Not even in the middle of the night when I wake hoping to tune into something positive, I'm reminded again of the thousands of dollars going out to TV and radio as I hear once again why when I plug in my toaster, I am being sent more electricity from the source. I even hear about the wonders of Wild Blue. Wild Blue, another costly event that cannot make it on its own.

It wasn't until a couple of years ago when Valley Electric members woke one morning and realized the emperors wore no clothes. It was then that the emperors began covering themselves with every media outlet available in Nye County.

In closing let me remind VEA members the small amount of credits that some of you got last year, will be taken back several times over when VEA asks for another rate hike. That is my prediction.

ERLINE HEARD

Radioactive waste transport

This is in response to a June 6 letter to the editor regarding nuclear waste transportation activities in Pahrump. Having responsibility for waste disposal activities at the Nevada Test Site, I have personally worked with the public, local governments and elected officials for many years.

For those who are not intimately involved in this line of work, I realize that the word "radiation" can at times evoke fear and anxiety. I would like to take this opportunity to provide information on radioactive waste transportation to the Nevada Test Site that I hope will ease some of that fear.

Based upon the description in the letter, it is likely that the trucks observed were low-level radioactive waste shipments en route to the Nevada Test Site. This type of solid waste is generated by environmental cleanup activities at U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Defense sites located across the United States. Low-level radioactive waste usually contains small amounts of radioactive material and includes items like construction debris, scrap metal and used personal protective equipment.

Low-level radioactive waste has been disposed at the Nevada Test Site in engineered pits and trenches for over 45 years. For the majority of the shipments received, workers have no need to wear any special protective clothing while handling the waste at the site due to relatively low levels of radiation. Many of the shipments have traveled through Pahrump. In fact, 738 shipments traveled along Highway 160 between Pahrump and U.S. 95 in 2006.

All shipments are made in full compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation regulations including waste packaging, labeling, marking, placarding and shipment documentation. While we have no authority over designating which routes these shipments take, we have worked extensively with local leaders, the state of Nevada and the shipping sites to designate preferred routes.

To help alleviate concerns about possible transportation accidents, the U.S. Department of Energy has provided nearly $7.5 million to Nye County and several other rural Nevada Counties since 2000 through an emergency preparedness grant. The grant, which is administered by the State of Nevada Division of Emergency Management, is intended to assist our neighbors, which includes Nye County, to achieve an operational level of emergency response should it ever be needed.

In order to inform the public and address potential concerns regarding low-level waste disposal and other Environmental Management activities at the Nevada Test Site, we have an established public outreach program. Regular communication to the public occurs through a variety of initiatives including a quarterly newsletter, an Internet Web site (www.nv.doe.gov/envmgt), informational displays (which have routinely been set up at the Pahrump and Amargosa libraries) and a Community Advisory Board (CAB). In fact, several of the current CAB members represent Pahrump and Amargosa Valley. For more information on their activities, please visit their Web site at www.ntscab.com.

While it's impossible to inform each member of the public, the U.S. Department of Energy makes every effort to provide information on radioactive waste transportation and disposal activities. I invite all persons interested in learning more about these activities to sign up for our electronic newsletter by emailing envmgt@nv.doe.gov, see first-hand our waste disposal operations during one of the regularly scheduled Nevada Test Site tours, or call us directly at 702-295-3521.

E. FRANK DI SANZA

Waste Management Federal Project Director for the U.S. Department of Energy Nevada Site Office

Need Paiutes' permission

Ms. Helen Tom, I was approached by the officers of the Disabled American Veterans and was told that there were no American flags on the graves of our Native American warrior veterans. I referred them to the Veterans of Foreign Wars as they are responsible for placing American flags on the graves of veterans.

I was approached by the VFW Commander Tom Vick and incoming Commander Ed Morrissey about this subject. The commanders told me that the powers that be from the Paiutes said that the Paiutes would take care of their side of the cemetery and for them to stay out. As you know, the Paiutes own the Native American side of the cemetery and we, the organizations of veterans, respect their rules.

What all veterans in Pahrump would like to see, is for the Paiutes to write a letter stating that we have their permission to place American Flags on the Native American Indian veterans' graves. And when a Native American veteran expires, to let us put their plaque on the Pahrump Veterans Memorial wall.

I believe that the above answers your question as to why there were no American Flags on our Native American Veteran graves. We are all proud of our men and women who served, those who are serving, and those who will serve regardless of who they are.

JOSE A. TELLES

Sr. Vice Commandant, Marine Corps League

Pahrump Party Supply

The Pahrump Senior Center seniors would like to thank Lisa and Bob Holleman of Pahrump Party Supply for their donation of vegetable trays, chips, etc., to the center. It went right to the salad bar here at the senior center and was enjoyed by all.

Lisa, Bob and their crew spent many hours of hard work, planning and decorating to make the high school graduation party a great send off for Pahrump's senior class.

This party is not an automatic thing each year, it's something the Hollemans do for the community and the senior class because they want to. So, if all you graduates have not yet done so, stop by Pahrump Party Supply and give Bob and Lisa a big "thank you."

A final word of advice to the graduates: Look for a job you enjoy doing because then it's not work anymore, it's fun.

JIM GRONEMANN

Pahrump Senior Center

A tear in my eye

As my little one sleeps, I stand watch over her. What a pretty baby, with large, innocent eyes and shiny hair the color of ripe chestnuts. At three days old, she is all legs, but aren't they all? Hungry, she is always hungry. Looking down at her, not as I had dreamed, in a pile of clean straw or in the soft, green grass of a meadow. No, my foal lies in a pile of rotting manure, breathing into her tender new lungs waves of ammonia fumes from our own urine. There is no escape.

The corral we are held in is barely large enough for us to turn around. The flies are bad, biting and getting into our eyes, where they lay eggs and cause infection. There is no shade here and as the summer temperatures rise, I can feel the sun cooking the flesh on my back. I try hard to keep my little one in the shade of my body as much as possible. It becomes so hot by afternoon that I find myself lapsing into a dreamlike-state to escape.

I dream we are running, my little one and I, over the hills and across green meadows. Huge trees dot this landscape, providing cool, shady areas for us to rest and catch our breath. Below us lies a small stream, where we can drink our fill of the clear, cold water. How fresh and clean everything smells and the tender blades of grass tastes so good. We are happy in this paradise. My foal is awake now and on her wobbly legs. Sadly, I leave my dreams behind and slowly come back to reality.

Again, we await sundown, when the air begins to cool and nighttime will bring some relief. Another day dawns and again is spent much as the day before. Shifting my wight from one leg to another. Muscles growing ever-weaker from the lack of exercise. How could this be happening to us? The pioneers used to say," Take care of your horse and he will take care of you."

Now, we are nothing but status symbols. Many a father bragging to his coworkers and friends that his son or daughter has a horse. Never admitting that he doesn't have adequate space for one or has the slightest clue how to care for this "prized possession." Or, that this horse is "boarded out somewhere" and rarely, if ever, sees the child he was meant to entertain.

Because we can't speak, man assumes that we feel no pain. What a sad conclusion. We feel the blistering heat of summer, the blinding sand storms that fill our eyes, ears and nostrils, and the cold of a winter storm. Man, of course, seeks the comfort of his home during these periods. If left in the wild, we would roam to green pastures in the spring and move south in the winter. But man has chosen to "domesticate" us and therefore takes on a responsibility -- one that not all men are willing to accept or appreciate.

We don't ask for much. A small lean-to type shelter would provide shade in the heat of the day and a windbreak from storms and rain. A fresh supply of water in a clean tank, free of bugs and slime. A good supply of hay and maybe some horse feed or grain. Is that too much to ask? After all, we are not free to find these things on our own, so must rely on someone of good conscience to supply them.

Not all owners of "domesticated" animals are insensitive to their needs. In fact some live in comparative splendor. They are truly the lucky ones. As for me and my foal, we do not suffer this plight alone. There are others enduring the same circumstances. All too soon they will take my little one away. I hope she finds a home where people really care. Next time you drive by and see us, please slow down and take a good look. You will see a tear in my eye...

YVONNE SABLICH

Bailing out Mexico

The U.S. Senate is considering passing immigration legislation that will give legal status to perhaps 20 million criminals (illegal immigrants) and dun America's middle class with additional taxes.

We are not talking about an influx of scholars, rather, these illegals are essentially poorly educated, have low skills and therefore will qualify for numerous taxpayer funded programs. For example, The Earned Income Tax Credit which amounts to about $1,700, and the list goes on.

America currently has too many low-skilled workers. This Senate bill would put millions in competition with them. Why should the hard working middle class in this country be forced to buy Mexico out of poverty?

I believe Senator Harry Reid needs to address this issue since he essentially controls legislation under consideration in the Senate.

LEONARD J. COENEN

Thank you to kind strangers

Wal-Mart and Pahrump Senior Center do more than the eye can see.

On June 6 I was walking down the aisle at Wal-Mart. I made a right turn and was on the stationary aisle. At that time I felt a seizure coming on. A lady by the name of Sandy, who works in stationary, saw me and asked if I was all right. At that time I told her no, I wasn't.

Assistant Manager, Karen, who's known me for 25 years saw me. When the seizure passed, I paid for the graduation card I had in my hand. Karen took control of the situation and called the Pahrump Senior Center.

Cami from the Jewelry department gave her assistance and Joe from the Senior Center came to Wal-Mart immediately.

I cannot thank everyone who helped me enough.

LINDA MCILRAITH

So sad

My heart aches for all the dead trees, shrubs and flowing bushes and beauty that was once on Calvada Blvd.

At one time, it was the prettiest street in Pahrump with the waterfall at Highway 160 and Calvada.

The colors of the trees in the fall along the street were beautiful.

It seems criminal to have let most of this die for the lack of a drink of water!

Now, some people use the street to throw our bottles, cans and leftover bags of food. Such a shame.

JOANN MCCALLS

Thanks for grad night

As a 2007 graduate of PVHS (yeah, me), I was able to attend the grad night party following graduation. I would like to thank all of the community that contributed to this undertaking. I was shown a list of all the contributors and there were many -- it seemed just about every business in town helped in some way.

I would especially like to thank Pahrump Party Supply for all their work in coordinating everything, all the junior parents who put in their time, all the senior parents who donated food, all the businesses that donated gifts for the seniors. I would especially like to thank Ace Hardware as I received a gift basket (which will help at college) donated by them, along with free pizza both from Domino's and Papa John's.

I realize it takes a lot of planning, coordinating and time to do something like this for the graduates, and I, for one, really appreciate it. Thanks again.

HANNAH D. SMITH

Thank you Smith's

Thank you to Smith's pharmacy. You have a wonderful staff.

My daughter was sick last week. We made a visit to the doctor only to find out she has asthma. We went to our regular pharmacy here in town. (I will leave them nameless.) The girls in there seemed to be pre-occupied and not very interested in helping me to get a prescription filled for an inhaler and antibiotics. So, I left after about a 25-minute wait and went over to Smith's pharmacy. They were great over there and very friendly.

Thank you to the Smith's pharmacy. They got the meds filled and we were on our way home in less than 20 minutes. Again, thank you Smith's crew. I am very grateful.

MICHELLE ALVARADO