Will someone care?

Did you know that an elderly man, a veteran, who fought for our country to keep us safe and give us freedom, lives in our town, Pahrump, without electricity, no water, no heating -- and it's winter?

This veteran has much pride, yet is very humble and hopes that his prayers will be answered.

He is working whenever work is available, trying to save enough money to pay Valley Electric. This veteran has been in his cold and dark house for the last two weeks, sleeps on the floor surrounded by his dogs to keep him warm in this cold weather. Many mornings, his fingers are frozen.

As good neighbors, we have been trying to help him through these difficulties, driving him to work and picking him up, as he has no other means. He asked to take a shower and wash his clothes at our place, as he has no water.

Most important, we try to serve him a hot meal whenever possible and bought him a sleeping bag to keep warmer at night.

I feel ashamed that things like this can happen in our community. A powerful company such as Valley Electric should be reasonable enough to work with those struggling but paying all they can, especially the elderly (veterans) or a single parent.

GUILLERMINA WATSON

P.S. This veteran has filed for an increase on his disability pension. Also, he is in need of hospitalization but due to bureaucracy taking so long, he has to keep on taking odd jobs to meet his daily necessities.

And again...

First, let's talk about getting facts straight -- we did not vote for precinct captains, we voted for caucus captain and secretary as someone had to be in control of Precinct 32 for the Democratic caucus.

Second, we heard a speech telling us before we even started inside the hall, and again outside, that if you did not have a viable candidate, then you would have a second vote and could choose from one of the viable candidates. That is a fact.

Third, we could not change to Edwards after we voted for a viable candidate, hence the reason the ballots were taken before you had a second chance to vote for another candidate if you wished to.

Fourth, the "man" who was arguing with the caucus captain was also arguing with everyone on his views as those were the only ones that counted. It was very apparent that immaturity was present when he only talked to be heard, even when incorrect.

Did you forget that he shouted out that the loan companies were not at fault for the present situation and that someone with 28 years of experience as a national mortgage underwriter (i.e., actual knowledge and not just spouting out anger) tried to explain that indeed they were at fault, it was called greed -- any program that put more money in their pocket was a good one. For me, it was the worst I have seen since the late '80s. I predicted this outcome three years ago and yes, I think everyone should go for the American Dream (which I was accused of not wanting that to happen by this "man" due to my comments) but for something they can afford and not a program that is partly the cause of the economy's downward trend and offered buyers the ability to get in over their heads from the start.

You haven't seen anything yet. The interest-only and no-income programs are next to fail. As far as interest only, the rates may not go up in within the next few years but will now include principal (which, by the way, nothing was paid on while paying interest only, so they have gained nothing off their original mortgage) and then the no income (most were self employed and we know what is happening to employment and small companies currently, so figure it out).

Too many people who couldn't afford expensive homes got into bigger and better homes due to these programs, and many like them soon will be adding to the foreclosure rate. As far as sub-prime programs, how can anyone expect a person who is in arrears on their credit to get a loan that offers a higher interest rate, considering they have already proven that they can not afford the lower rate and the bills they have now.

This is not what the American Dream is about. It is about everyone owning a home that they can afford and not keep up with the Jones.

Did you forget his biased comments on how we all should be voting for our own race and faith? Of course, his comments regarding the two viable candidates will not be repeated here.

Did you forget how he called us all simple-minded?

He was by far the worst example of someone that represents democracy in this town. He knew nothing of what he spoke about, or rather yelled about, and he made a complete ass out of himself. Perhaps you should have given all the facts before you write such a derogatory letter.

Yes, the Caucus was not what it should have been and, yes, you got a piece of paper to vote on. This is the fault of both parties not recognizing that for once the town came together after listening to the candidates and wanted to be heard and send a message to Washington.

I know that things could have gone smoother and that some people were disgusted; even I wanted to leave, but then I would not be one of the numbers heard.

But stop and think...

Have we ever done this before? No.

Have we ever had so many candidates interested in our voice in Nevada? No.

Did anyone ever expect the turnout? No.

So now they know that they have to get it together if we are ever to have a caucus again, or maybe we should just have an earlier primary and no one gets to yell out their views or be called simple-minded.

JUDIE JOHNSON

The biggest thieves

I read the article in the Las Vegas Review Journal dated Jan. 25 related to Sen. Coffin calling the governor a thief.

It puzzles me how Coffin, a member of the Democratic party, who I view are the biggest thieves.

They continue to take the hard-earned money from working class Americans in the private sector and give it to people who work in the public sector. This occurs even though private sector income growth is flat and the economy is slowing.

The governor is doing his job in trying to contain the growth of government and its costs.

It further perplexes me when in the same edition there is an article related to spending taxpayers' money on a project that isn't needed.

The legislative committee continues to spend money that basically isn't theirs. They take money from the private sector to support the public sector. The person appointed to a position of responsibility for the department of corrections advised the project is no longer needed yet they still want to spend $4.8 million dollars of taxpayer money.

It boggles my mind that Coffin can call a man a thief when he is trying to save the private sector taxpayers some money, yet the Legislature continues to spend it.

Who truly are the thieves? I say its people like Coffin and other tax-and-spend Democrats who are the thieves.

Yes, the public sector employees also pay taxes, but like Ronald Reagan once said, all they are doing is giving some of the taxpayers' money back.

Lord Harry and Lady Nancy are pushing these tax rebates and corporate tax breaks to head off a recession and yet they don't want to make President Bush's tax cuts permanent. Another example of who are the thieves.

They need to wake up and smell the stuff they're shoveling. Its also another example of wealth redistribution. The Democratic party are the thieves and socialists. I truly hope America wakes up and sees this before they elect Queen Billary president.

WARREN PAWLIUK

In response...

In response to several letters this week with regard to the alleged connection between the arrest of Peter Liakopoulos, his no vote for sales tax increase and the fire and sheriff departments, I believe the authors of those letters should reflect more on past commissioners overspending on issues far less important than our fire and rescue and sheriff's department.

The commissioners have spent countless thousands of dollars on every "study" possible and I have yet to read anything negative on this, plus the resulting findings were usually those a 12-year-old could have reached without the study.

Our very lives depend on our fire department, search and rescue and sheriff's department. Our rights are not in jeopardy by this administration, never have been.

Sheriff Tony DeMeo has done an exemplary job in every facet of his office, bringing into his position a high degree of education and professionalism, a far cry from what we had prior to his election.

I've heard stupid statements, but Art Jones recently tops the list when he stated "now we have a self-serving town board chairman and abusive sheriff trying to intimidate an elected county board into doing their wishes for their own personal gain."

Good grief, Mr. Jones, what part of "911" and all it entails don't you get?

It takes money to update, maintain and provide fire and police adequately to serve "our needs." "Ours" as in general public.

Danielle Ditinto seems upset that Peter Liakopoulos' arrest was made public. Would it make her happy to have it "covered up?"

Frankly Ms. Ditinto, it's important the public be aware of such things instead of playing ostrich and keeping your head buried in the sand.

Far too many negative things are kept from the public eye. The truth shall come out. Mr. Liakopoulos is considered innocent until proven otherwise in court.

So, Ms. Ditinto, let's not draw any conclusions against the sheriff department or Laurayne Murray until all the facts are in, and practice your right to "remain silent."

You obviously have not mastered "connect the dots" since childhood.

ALICE CAFFEJIAN

Catching up

I have been out of town for the past few weeks and I'm just now catching up on old news.

I see that our town manager has announced that he is seeking new employment, because he feels that the town board has insulted him with a 2 percent raise.

I feel that what he should have said instead of I want a new job, is, how can I do a better job at the job you hired me for?

This 2 percent raise was a wake-up call, not an insult. It's obvious that Mr. Richards feels he is above criticism.

Now that he has made his choice, and publicly announced it, it is the town board's job to start right now in searching for a replacement. It should start as soon as possible.

Next, the board should remove Mr. Richards from any position of responsibility. His intention to leave and his unhappiness with the town board makes him a very undesirable manager. His negative attitude can be infectious and his management decisions can be detrimental to the town.

The town board should just consider paying off the final year of his contract and send him down the road.

I have three thoughts for Mr. Richards:

1. You should not have bit the hand that feeds you.

2. Nobody is indispensable.

3. Don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out.

I am fed up with public employees that do not suffer the realities of economic changes, that continue to enjoy salaries and over-the-top benefits while the average taxpayer struggles to keep status quo.

I am tired of public officials that are cry babies, wanting more and ore and doing less and less.

One last comment: Instead of the city hiring more firemen, how about putting the ambulance service out to public bid and let private enterprise take over?

That would free up firemen that are now paramedics and also cut back on vehicle costs. It would also put the problem of non-payment of ambulance service into the private sector where it belongs.

I always thought that the arrangement between the city and regional medical center was illegal where it prevented competition for this service.

I think that having our Pahrump City

Ambulances going into Las Vegas is nuts. Let the private sector do it. That's what private business is for.

Government should not compete with private businesses that can provide the same level of service, and that is certainly the case in this instance.

GENE LOVAS

Let's stop complaining

The purpose of this letter is not to offend anyone who was not happy with the caucus procedures Jan. 19, but rather to ask those who are complaining what they have done or plan to do in the future to help, not just criticize.

It's very easy to Monday morning quarterback, but that doesn't help to solve the problems.

Was the caucus chaotic and perhaps even stressful to those attending? Yes. Is there room for improvement in this process? Absolutely - especially for the Democratic Party.

I am a wife, mother of an 8-year-old child, a cancer patient about to go on a liver transplant list and a Hillary Clinton volunteer who spent many hours the past two months calling voters all over the state in an effort to encourage them to caucus. But it wasn't just me.

There were many other volunteers in our office as well as those in the Obama office who put in countless hours. We all made time in our personal lives to be a part of something we believed in. When caucus day arrived, we were excited to know that we would be a part of a historic event for Nevada.

For the most part, all we hear now is how badly things went. Very few have bothered to recognize that in spite of all the problems, we had a record turn-out for the caucus.

The fact that nearly all caucus sites statewide ran out of paper ballots speaks volumes about the success of the effort of all the volunteers, regardless of what candidate they supported.

Many have complained about not knowing what precinct they live in. Registered voters receive a card in the mail that shows their precinct number on it. Did you bring yours to the caucus?

If you couldn't find it, did you call the clerk's office prior to the 19th and ask what precinct you live in?

A little effort before the day of the caucus would have saved so much time and frustration.

As Americans, we have become spoiled. Anything that we are asked to do that requires a little time, effort and patience on our part is viewed as an inconvenience.

You want to experience real inconvenience, sign up for the military and leave your loved ones behind for a year, not knowing if you will return alive. Don't we at least owe it to those brave men and women to put up with a little inconvenience in order to participate in what makes our country so great?

And as for the John Edwards supporters who say they felt so disenfranchised on caucus day that they wrongly lashed out at the Clinton and Obama supporters, think again. We were not responsible for your situation.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama paid a great deal of attention to the state of Nevada and in particular, to rural Nevada. They each established offices in Pahrump that were staffed with dedicated people who worked practically 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (Rob and Victoria, you were awesome.)

Each office had enthusiastic volunteers who knocked on doors, made phone calls to voters and worked the caucus. Most important of all, each of these two candidates, as well as other candidates from both sides, made visits to Pahrump to speak to voters and answer questions.

If John Edwards did not put the same effort into Nevada and/or Pahrump as the other candidates, then it is John Edwards who is to blame for your feelings of being disenfranchised, not the Clinton or Obama camps.

On Sunday, John Edwards was quoted as saying that he "got his butt kicked in Nevada." I personally believe his numbers reflected his efforts and yes, he did indeed get his butt kicked.

To those of you who want to continue to complain about how badly the caucus went, enough. I for one am tired of hearing it. If you don't like what you experienced, get involved and fight for improvement. Input and constructive criticism is always welcome but the time for whining is over.

MARY BERG

Don't wait -- incorporate

Is anyone seeing a trend here by our county commissioners?

It appears that the commissioners don't give a damn about Pahrump, it's all about filling the county coffers with as much money as they can. What are they doing?

They create a Regional Planning Commission, pay them good money and overturn every recommendation that doesn't suit their needs.

Why do we have such an entity? They should do away with it and let these developers run amok until they have Pahrump so screwed that the only option we will have is to leave.

In the paper today, it shows where the county commissioners relented on a developer's request to put in the highest-density zoning on 120 acres in the rural part of south Pahrump. This was after the RPC proposed rejecting the project, not once but twice.

Nineteen thousand homes are still to be built from the already approved projects. Now they are approving higher-density home building in an area that will have to co-exist with Concordia, Mountain Falls, Artesia, Hafen's new development on Turner and the Focus Group's mega family developments.

Is this a joke?

Why do we need all this high-density zoning in this rural community? It's really not good for us, just the developers, who will be gone as soon as the project is over. I can see all the homes south of all these developments drying up and blowing away from the lack of water in a few years. Good job, Nye County commissioners.

Not ever being "for" incorporation, I now believe if we don't get ahold of our future, there won't be one for this "rural" community. Don't let the Nye County commissioners ruin Pahrump. Because I'm sure that when things start falling apart and our natural resources are gone, that those commissioners will also be long gone, along with their money.

Don't wait, incorporate.

DON WHITE