Close to objection deadline

The Environmental impact Statement can be viewed at the library and Scott Stermer of the Office of the Federal Detention Trustee (OFDT) will take objections faxed to him until April 28, just 6 days away.

I am deeply concerned with this federal detention center being placed in Pahrump.

It's true; we do have the luxury of having our water piped in from some deep reservoir nearby. However, the full amount of our water supply is unknown. It could last for years and then again, could run dry tomorrow.

The fact is that if you take 225,000 gallons a day from it, the supply will dwindle fast and then it will truly be gone.

Our Pahrump night skies will also be gone, because of the brightest lights you can imagine.

Another item to consider is the cost of that parcel of land and the cost of that building they place upon it. The cost will be absorbed by Pahrump and Pahrump means you. Remember, you are the Government.

If you think job opportunity is at hand, their EIS states that 50 to 130 people will relocate to operate the project.

Your objections can be faxed to Scott Stermer at 202-353-4611 but only until the 28th, which is next week.

Letter follows:

April 20, 2008

Scott Stermer

Assistant Trustee

Office of the Federal Detention Trustee

A prison by any other name is still a prison. In reference to the Pahrump Valley Times newspaper article, "Pahrump picked for Federal Detention Center," our presentable, charming, picturesque and un-deformed town of Pahrump is exactly the way we like it, and we want it to stay.

People don't rush to live in towns that have prisons, even under the guise of federal detention centers.

The prime concern here is the water usage by your prison: 150,000 to 225,000 gallons of water a day, estimated in your EIS. That figure being an estimate, is probably far short of the true figure.

This is not some typical small town where you buy or rent, settle in, pay a few dollars and have your water turned on.

Pahrump is made up of families who settle here and had expensive wells drilled for the privilege of "water."

We paid thousands for our wells and we feel we own the water beneath us. This is our desert, our town and our water and it is not "up for grabs."

Ultimately what you will use for your prison is what we have paid for. In times like these, stretched tight by our economy, Pahrump can ill afford the loss of hundreds of thousands of gallons of water.

It is no secret that Las Vegas, the original choice of this "prison," does not have the water to spare. It is their prison and should be on their property.

Their water supply from the Colorado River/Lake Mead is drying up faster than anyone anticipated. From the looks of their TV news, Las Vegas is considering additional temperance measures to slow their water output in an already losing battle.

We feel that Pahrump has been ill advised in this folly. As for lightly-attended, so-called public workshops, referenced in the newspaper article by Joni Eastly, Nye County chairman, I cannot seem to find one single acquaintance who knew of any such public workshop.

After all, you don't find it a bit odd that the very exact 160-acre site on 2250 Mesquite Avenue suddenly pops up owned by United Holdings Corporation of Las Vegas.

I find it hard to believe that our Nye County politicians would have an inside track in this prison dilemma, but if they are anything remotely like our Washington government politicians, then they need to be ousted.

Nevada, being one of the sizable states, is mainly federal government property, and as such would be ideal for the purpose of a prison.

There are federal prisons in this state, also ideal for enlargement and at government expense.

Somehow, this feels like a federal project that the people involved will end up paying for, and in this case, ongoing.

Another thought: Isn't it rather absurd to tell us that there are upwards of 1,500 inmates awaiting trial in federal court and then in another paragraph, indicate the construction will take 15 months.

As the old saying goes, something stinks here, or is it the dump they want to build it next to?

I personally object to the far-reaching and blaring lights that will ruin our uniquely laid-out town.

Pahrump is located amid surrounding mountains that permit prime vision of the stars and heavens and an occasional meteor shower, truly breathtaking and two of which I have watched in my own back yard in the past 15 years.

The prison lights will forever ruin this freedom.

We are uncompromising and emphatic in our objection to this prison being placed in Pahrump.

Sincerely,

BEVERLY GLADOWSKI

Thank you

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many Death Valley Raceway officials and staff that provided me with the opportunity to showcase my latest book, "Doin' It In the Dirt - Southwest Style." Promoter Rapid Rick VanBuytene did his best to provide me with an adequate shelter to protect me and the books from the blowing dust. Clyde, the T-shirt vendor, allowed me to share his booth and both Racin' Jason and Tonya Pike made periodic checks to make sure all was well. I would also like to thank the Dwarf car and Modified drivers and those really "die hard" fans that braved the near gale force winds and blowing sand to purchase the book and sit and watch the races. I also enjoyed the many positive comments and feedback.

BUZZ SODEMAN

We must be cat defenders

As a former contributor to F.L.O.C.K. and a longtime member of Best Friends Animal Society, I have followed from the start the coverage of what has occurred at the Nevada organization and the home of Shari Allen, disbelief being quickly replaced by shock, sorrow, great anger, and finally relief as Nye County granted the staff and volunteers of Best Friends to intervene and take command of a clearly out-of-control situation. Because I was not there when any of the events occurred, I will not accuse anyone of the senseless negligence, apathy, cruelty, and betrayal, both of the cats and of those of us who donated to F.L.O.C.K. faithfully for their well being. But the fact is that someone did this, and that party or parties need to be held fully accountable and prosecuted to the full extent of the law for what amounts to criminal negligence, abuse, and multiple loss of life. Thank you for your coverage of this story. Please continue to keep it prominently in the public's eye. These kinds of negligence and abuse need to be exposed wherever they occur, prosecuted whenever they happen and brought before the public in every instance. The cats are unable to defend themselves against such senseless and absolutely preventable abuse; we must be their voice and their defenders, and the public must understand that all of us must take personal responsibility for spaying/neutering, medical care, and good care of cats in our society.

JAMAKA N. PETZAK

Glendale, Calif.