No amnesty

An open letter to President Bush and Sen. Harry Reid: Congratulations. I knew that sooner or later you guys would wind up in bed together. Thank you for trying to ram the highly controversial Immigration Bill down our throats.

Right from the beginning, we the people said "no." We said "no amnesty." What part of "no amnesty" do you guys not understand?

GARY MARCHINKE

Un-American abuse of power

In regard to the "Proposed Comprehensive Rezoning," parcel number 035-363-02.

Private property rights are among the most important rights enjoyed by Americans. They enhance our freedom. They give us financial security. They help to protect our personal investments. Without property rights, we would have little incentive to invest time, money, labor and improvements to "our properties."

Now, the Nye County Board of Commissioners expect my family and I to just give up to a "Proposed Comprehensive Rezoning" initiated Nov. 19, 2003, and lose the value of our property zoned as "open use" for a deplorable un-American decision; it was re-zoned "village residential." No. We are not even incorporated.

I realize that the United States Constitution and court cases give government entities the power to pass laws to protect the health, safety, welfare, and morals of their citizens. This power is called the "police power"? But to demoralize the American property owners of their aspirations. It's un-American and an abuse of power.

Typical zoning ordinances divide the locality into districts. Within each district, certain land uses are allowed, and certain other land uses are prohibited. The aim of typical zoning ordinances is to separate land uses.

All single-family houses would be together and not beside a cement factory, so to speak.

Zoning laws are intended to avoid nuisances by prohibiting land activities that are potentially offensive to others.

It is obvious that the following areas surrounding our property haven't been taken into consideration: the Bob Ruud Community Center, Petrack Park, McCullough Rodeo Arena, the Community Swimming Pool, the Pahrump Valley Museum, Wal-Mart Super Center, the Pahrump Community Library, the Nye County School District, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Pahrump Valley Speedway, the town government offices and not to mention the affluent area of "The Binions Ranch Estates," which is obviously future affluence "mix use" property.

Our property is known as the "trading post edition," and its location is in the central part of all these general commercial properties. What's really going on?

The United States of America regards property rights very highly and jealously guards their sanctity. The question here may well be framed as "how far is too far?"

In other words, how much may a government regulation reduce the value of a particular piece of "tax-payers" private property?

We are opposed to such a "Proposed Comprehensive Rezoning" of parcel number 035-363-02.

We are behind all legal tax-payer property owners who are opposed to the so-called "comprehensive rezoning" initiated back on Nov. 19, 003, and as mentioned before, we are not even incorporated.

John Adams said in 1787, "The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence."

Written by Ralph Chacon for my stepson, property owner,

UBALDO SALAS

Angels on earth

We went on a journey to save our loved one. It was long and painful.

On the way we met so many angels. Some knew us and some did not. But all put out their hand to help us on our way. Some helped us with donations, some with prayers and some were just there to lift us up and keep us going.

Our beloved Traci fought very hard, but lost her battle. Again, so many friends were there to say goodbye to lift up our family and to pray for us.

We want to say to all those who loved her and to all who were there for us through this heartbreaking time - thank you.

Please know that your expression of love, no matter how you gave it, was and will always be special to our family.

Thank you from all of us. You all are truly angels without wings. May God bless you.

JIM, JO AND SHELLY THORNE

KATHY RANKIN

GREG AND PAINTER BAARSMA

Guns at Bob Ruud center

Well here we go again, another big flap in Pahrump. In response to Robert Trenary's letter, regarding the carrying of weapons at meetings conducted at the Bob Rudd center.

I realize that everyone has the right to own and carry arms, it is our constitutional right. However that doesn't mean you have to carry it everywhere.

Recently my husband and I were having dinner at the Red Sky BBQ and a patron there was carrying a weapon. My first reaction was how immature and insecure this person must be. The thought of carrying a weapon into an upscale dining establishment just seemed childish, (Mama, can I take my gun, huh, can I, please?). When my neighbor wears his around his property (an acre), especially when he working on the engine of an automobile, I guess if it back-fires, he can defend himself, by firing back...

As far as allowing a person to carry at meetings conducted in the Bob Rudd center, I am totally against it. I have attended several meeting at the center when the discussions were a little heated. It seems to me that if we have an armed deputy at these meetings, we certainly don't need the presence of a handful of frustrated cowboys there also.

I'm certain that Mr. Trenary has seen many establishments around town that post "No Weapons Allowed" signs. If he doesn't have a problem with their decision to disallow weapons in their businesses, why should it bother him to "leave your guns at home, son" when it come to the Bob Rudd center?

Hey, Robert even the beauty salon at Wal-Mart doesn't allow weapons, how un-American.

If I truly believed that I had to carry a weapon on my person, for the purpose of protecting myself or others, you can absolutely believe that I would have a concealed weapons permit, and you would never be aware that I was armed. That's the difference between class and cowboys.

JANE SCHMIDT

Gas prices

Senator Harry Reid has discovered that the sun shines and the wind blows in Nevada, that gas prices are high and that we need to save the planet.

"My" Senator also wants the Department of Energy, you know, those bureaucrats that don't produce a drop of gas, to develop "strategic energy partnerships." I fear that's Washington speak for more government.

He wants cars to get 35 mpg by 2020, in thirteen years. Now that's progressive thinking.

Harry, prices at the pumps are high today.

Just for your information Senator; Toyota makes a very nice car that gets excellent gas mileage, but I can't afford one. Maybe you and your buddies could come up with a nice tax break for us little guys like you did for gas guzzling SUV owners a few years back.

Want to help the little people out today? Eliminate all federal taxes on gas.

Excuse me, I forgot, you'd have to form a commission but before you could do that, you'd need to come up with a focus group and all sorts of rules and then you'd need a staff and a building for the staff to work in, develop a plan, have Congress approve it, that only takes a few days right? Then you'd need to tweak the plan, hire additional staff, upgrade offices and so on...

Hell Senator, by the time you and the rest of the ruling class actually do something to help the middle class we'll all be on horseback.

Do they really believe we are as stupid as they think?

BRUCE FEHER

Las Vegas

Thanks to all

This year's Grad Night party was the most incredible ever. For those who failed to stop by and take a look before the event started, you missed an awesome show.

Who would have thought we could have a high class "Casino Royale" right here in downtown Pahrump? Complete with all of the flash and pizzazz inside as well. And thanks to our volunteer DJs - Wayne from Five Star and Jim from Howling at the Moon - the place rocked inside and out all night.

The Pahrump Grad Night committee would like to extend a most sincere thank you to these two and to all of the 125 plus businesses and individuals who came out in support of our graduated high school seniors with donations and prizes.

Between them we were able to give out over $20,000 in prizes to our newly graduated seniors. We also want to thank those individuals who volunteered their time to chaperone, serve and clean up for the event.

This year we had over 220 students in attendance. This is a showing of over 80 percent participation, which is awesome.

We will never know the real effect of keeping 200 young people safe and sober for at least one of the riskiest nights of their lives, but for one night, we made a difference. For one night we kept them and their friends safe (if not sane) and alcohol and drug free. (Keep in mind that many freshman and sophomores who would also have attended local grad parties and possibly get involved with drugs and alcohol at them didn't have a party to go to either.) This meant the rest of the community was also safe.

This year's event did have one negative and that was the incredibly poor turnout of junior class parents who were asked to help chaperone this year in a "pay it forward" service for their students having it all free next year.

We had only two parents come out, but thanks to the always dedicated and committed head of security volunteer, Capt. Bill Becht, and our steadfast returning security people, Bob and Ed, we came through again with flying colors and no problems.

BOB AND LISA HOLLEMAN

and the Pahrump Grad Night committee

Myers' motives

Dennis Myers strikes again (June 13, PVT). He whines about misinformation that spreads like wildfire on the Net. It does, true enough.

Strangely through, he isn't concerned in the least by the fact that the liberal mainstream media has been doing this through other venues for decades.

Today's newspapers are nearly fiction. I'm curious about Myer's motives. Is he thinking some kind of government oversight of the Net?

LINDA DELAMARE

Thanks for the bill

This letter is to express our thanks to the following Republican state legislators; Pete Goicoechea, Tom Grady, John Carpenter, John Marvel, Ed Goedhart, James Settelmeyer, Dean Rhoads, Mark Amodei, and Mike McGinness.

Their time, hard work and persistence is truly appreciated in passing AB 144. This bill will be a great help to the agriculture sector of Nevada. Thank you again.

THE DENNIS CAWRSE FAMILY

Battle Mountain

Why can't we tip them?

This past weekend I did my grocery shopping at one of the local grocery stores in Pahrump. I once again was helped by a very nice young man who put my groceries in the car.

I once again tried to tip him and he said, "Oh no, I can't take any money - I would get in trouble." Why can't we tip them? Those who bag up our food and offer to take it out for us deserve a tip. They work hard for their minimum pay and any little extra would help them. We tip others for their services, so why can't we tip them?

Those of you who agree with me, please call the store managers and let them know. Let's change this policy. Thank you.

SHARON SHEPPARD

Death Valley, Calif.

Detention center

This facility will be built, that is not the question. The question is where, Clark County, Arizona or Nye County.

As a resident of Nye, I am hoping for Nye County. Who else is "knocking at our door" to use their funds to build and have long time jobs for area residents?

What would 75 to 80 million on the tax rolls be, without an influx to our schools, parks and services? This could be so many roads, police and firemen in our county. This could be a help to keep our taxes down. Who does not want lower taxes and more police and fire and roads?

This is not a prison, it is a holding or detention center; there is a huge difference.

No job is perfect, every job has risk, yet where can someone with a high school diploma and clean (no drugs) get a job in Pahrump at $17 plus an hour and benefits? I know of no place. Yes, it is a job where you need to be in great physical shape, yet so are the service men and women at war. Do they make $17 plus an hour and see their families every night? No, they do not.

What local business would not want more customers and funds staying in Pahrump? There will be 275 jobs to start; that is about $10,312,500 in salary here in Pahrump. Not Clark County. Some people would drive here to work. Yet think of the families served and the great income for so many of our younger adults who could stay here and earn a decent living.

I have talked to several employees in the U.S. Detention system and they all say the same thing; it's a great job. They go home every night to see the family and don't work outside in the heat and dust. There are some risks, yet what are the risks in construction and other jobs? They know they have a long future of employment and benefits, for themselves and their families.

Please look into the benefits to everyone in the county with this great addition to our tax rolls and the future it can give to so many. Do you really want this in Clark County?

BARB JOHNSTON

Ponderosa Dairy

Thank you for allowing me to add some information to last week's article on the Ponderosa Dairy.

The Ponderosa has been a state and national leader in protecting our environment. The Ponderosa was Nevada's first dairy to apply for and receive a host of regulatory permits (NPDES, CAFO, EMP, CNMP, etc.). Also we have switched over our production of crops to organic farming standards over ten years ago. On these organic fields we use no herbicides, pesticides, or chemical fertilizers.

A portion of our dairy also produces organic milk. These cows eat only organic grains and forages and receive no antibiotics or hormones such as BST.

Ponderosa is the leading composter in Nevada and we mix waste hay and straw with cow manure to make a high quality and desired product which is sold throughout Nevada for your gardens, soccer fields, and pots. We also work with various agencies to divert tons of carbon waste (wood chips and other biomass) from going to landfills and use these in the compost mix.

Not only are we saving our landfills but Ponderosa's goal is to be a net energy producer by 2015 though renewable energy production. By 2015 we will produce more electricity via solar and bio gas than we currently use. Nevada's goal for renewable energy is 20 percent; ours is 100 percent.

It is truly sad that in America we have to import 65 percent of our oil. This has led to disastrous deficits and skyrocketing gas prices. Imagine if America goes down the road of "off-shoring" farm production and then has to depend upon other countries to feed our citizens. Then we would not only be at OPEC's mercy but also FPEC's (Food Producing Exporting Countries).

Imagine a future where China not only produces our dog food (how many pets were killed in the last few months from ingredient tampering?) but also produces our beef and dairy products.

America has already lost much of its energy and manufacturing capacity. What is next: our food production?

America's economic prosperity was based upon the wise use of its natural resources. America's farmers are indeed America's first providers. Our homeland production of food and energy contribute greatly to our homeland security.

On the upcoming July 4th holiday while you enjoy the festivities, we will be working (as we do every day of the week, 24 hours a day) to help ensure America's continued food independence.

The Ponderosa family appreciates the opportunity and privilege to continue producing the very highest quality beef and dairy products to you at affordable prices.

God bless,

STEVE WUNDERINK

Manager of government affairs, Ponderosa Dairy