Vacation for Gary

Gary Hollis completed his fact finding trip for the Department of Energy. How thrilling.

The rooms only cost $264 per night. Not to worry, it was "Nuclear Waste Oversight Money." I think another term for that is taxpayer funded. Your tax money at work to give Gary another vacation. If Yucca Mountain Repository ever gets up and running it will be the greatest disaster that this country has ever seen. Nobody in the DOE ever reads the reports of railroad accidents. If it was so safe to ship this poison across our country, I would suggest that they build a landing strip at Yucca and fly it in. The inspection group should have gone to France and observed the four mile long nuclear waste recycling facility instead of looking at another hole in the ground that's predestined to poison the environment. You must remember though, recycling is more expensive that burying and the Department of Energy is extremely cautious how they spend our taxes. Like sending county commissioners around the world. Hollis said that as congressional delegation is working against Yucca Mountain. Isn't it strange that the US Congress is against it and our county commissioner is for its support?

I wonder, if and when the Pahrump Valley gets incorporated, who will get the Focus Group funding behind their mayoral campaign, Peter or Gary?

RICHARD A. BROWN

Thanks for parade help

I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Paula Glidden of the town's parade committee for inviting KPAH Radio to broadcast the 2007 parade. We had a lot of fun doing it and got a chance to exercise our remote broadcast equipment.

I would also like to thank Dan Schinhofen (who invited himself) of KPTU.TV and Evelyn Hoffman (who I had to beg) of KPAH.com for doing an excellent job of announcing the parade entries.

Although they had never worked together before, their smoothness and polished presentation make them the best announcing team I've ever heard in the region.

Also, thanks to Geraldine Ahrens, for taking a day off from work to be our on-location audio engineer; Dean Black, for taking time out of his retirement to do traffic control; and to Billy Hoffman for getting out of bed early to act as production assistant.

These are some of the unpaid, and usually unheralded, volunteers that, after 7 years continue to maintain Talk Radio of Pahrump's role as our town's international voice. Thanks to all,

HARVEY CAPLAN

MANAGER OF KPAH WORLDWIDE RADIO

Small businesses work hard

In regard to the Star Nursery article, Oct. 3, I was offended by the remarks made by Carol McGovern regarding "the good old boys" in reference to existing nurseries here in Pahrump.

Obviously Ms. McGovern has never owned a small business in a rural area. My husband and I own Cactus Depot Nursery in the north end of the valley.

Small business owners work ten times as hard at making a success of their business mainly because they are doing everything themselves.

Prices at Star Nursery may be lower on many items but that's because they buy in such large quantities; like WalMart, Home Depot, etc.

We have wholesale nurseries that won't bother coming over "the hill" unless the order is $1000. Quite often we have customers who want something we don't have and we try to accommodate them by making a trip into Vegas or wherever, to get it.

I've priced Star's cacti and we're still less expensive, however, Star is "one stop shopping;" kind of like shopping at WalMart, where everyone has the mentality that everything is cheaper.

I can tell you those Mondale Pines will not remain at $7.88. I can also tell you that Art, at Pahrump Nursery, has carried Mondale Pines at $7.95 for years.

Now that Home Depot is coming to town, I hear people slamming Ace Hardware. Where would we have been all these years without Ace?

We love our cacti and desert plants, and helping our customers with any questions they may have. We've met a lot of wonderful people over the years.

I only hope we're still in business next year.

JIM AND CAROL WEATHERS

CACTUS DEPOT NURSERY

One day at a time

I have lived in Pahrump for many years and am fortunate to have worked with and met some very wonderful people. One of them is Carlene Sholtka...a friend I hold very dear to my heart.

Our children grew up together and together, we went through the ups and downs with them. We treated each other's children as if they were our own and would have done anything for them.

When I suffered the worst imaginable tragedy of my life...the loss of my son, Derek, Carlene and her husband Jerry were right by my side to carry me through it. I don't know how I would have gotten through it without them.They were a Godsend and I can never repay them for all they've done for me.

I am grateful to you both and I love you dearly.

I also want to thank the wonderful people with whom I've spent many years working in the Pahrump valley school system.

As you know, my son Derek passed away suddenly and I was not prepared for the emotional shock nor the financial responsibility. Your generosity made it possible to give my son a decent burial. I can't thank you all enough.

Recovery from Derek's passing will take a very long time, if I ever recover. I am suffering from every parent's worst nightmare, having to bury a child.

It's only been a month. I still have bad days and the good moments are few and far between, but with all the thoughts, prayers and emotional support, I'm getting through one day at a time.

The pain will always run deep in my heart, but knowing I'm surrounded by wonderful people who care, make my burden a little more bearable.

I'm amazed at the support you all have shown me and my family. Words can not thank you enough. Thank you.

PHYLLIS KOBLAS AND FAMILY