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Respect at the clerk's office

I am writing to address the issue that some candidates and voters have been saying the county clerk, Sam Merlino, refused to allow access to the counting process on the night of the primary election.

I was at the clerk's office in Pahrump. The clerk was there with her full Pahrump staff. Ms. Merlino asked me if I would like to come and sit with them while the votes were being downloaded from the memory cards.

I declined as I did not want to get in the way of her staff doing their jobs. I told her I was all right standing at the counter. I was able to see the information scrolling along the screen during the downloading process.

I couldn't read it, but I wouldn't have been able to read it being closer because it was scrolling quite fast.

As soon as the tabulations were completed, she made several copies of the results and handed them to those of us who were standing there waiting.

I did not hear any complaints coming from the group of us waiting for results about the process that night. I find it interesting that people who were not even there are finding fault with what went on. Some candidates had representatives there as did the major political parties.

I do understand that some people may have issues with the clerk. The fact that I have to start over with my race for school board trustee is an issue for me and causes me a bit of a problem because I spent all of my money for the primary and I now have to start over.

Sam Merlino called me twice about this issue to keep me informed about what was going on. She didn't delegate that to a staff member.

When I was at the clerk's office for the vote counting, I was treated very respectfully by the clerk and her staff.

KATHLEEN L. BIENENSTEIN

Heading East

Venita Frederick, 81 years young, and me, Dan Bighaus, 68 years young, are traveling to Oregon in our RV motorhome, and in the near future, moving to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

We both want to thank Pahrump so much for all the kindness and support.

Every one of you will be missed.

Venita has been in show business all her life, from ice skater to dancer and fire dancer, plus many other talents.

As for myself, I've been an Elvis impersonator over 13 years, actor, singer, producer and director for Senior Idol here in Pahrump.

We are leaving Oct. 8.

DAN BIGHAUS AND VENITA FREDERICK

Relay for Life

This year's 2008 Relay for Life was a success.

We raised more than $60,000 for the American Cancer Society. We couldn't have done this without the support of our corporate sponsors, our participants and the community.

I would like to thank my committee members Lana Magers, Kathie Robbins, Nishelle Robbins, Dan Rodriguez, German Reyes, Rick Scanlon, Donna Torelli, Wilma Palmer, Aurora Greco, Tonya Brum, Joyce Schnelzer, Cassandra Selbach, Jim Clancy, Albert Bass and my co-chairman, Terrie Morden.

Without you this event wouldn't have been the success that it was.

I would also like to thank the Mirror, the Pahrump Valley Times, Channels 41 and 30 and especially Karen from KNYE for all the publicity that you gave to this event. Thanks again to all for a job well done.

CARLA KONONCHIK

Co-chairman