Thanks from Liakopoulos

With the recent recall that was run against me having gone down in failure, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the voters in District V.

In last November's election, you elected me your county commissioner; for that, I have always been and will always be truly grateful, for you gave me the chance to work for growth and to bring new businesses into our town and county.

This has been a challenging task.

We have, however, brought in some new businesses and others are coming. These businesses will bring much needed jobs and make our county an even greater place to live.

My first year in office has been one for the record book: I have been constantly harassed with meritless ethics charges filed against me and all types of untruths and accusations placed against my wife and myself.

This harassment has been brought by people who wanted to take away your vote and put into office those people who I defeated in a fair election where you cast your vote.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time that these people have tried to take away your voting rights. This has been, in fact, the fifth recall started by these folks in the last three years.

Fortunately, our system of government does work and these people have always failed. It is, however, time that these people stop ruining other people's lives and businesses simply to serve their own agenda.

We in Nye County are growing. Not only do we need good elected officials, we deserve them.

This summer, I spoke with a man who was going to run for office but decided against it. I asked him why. He would have made such a great addition to our county.

He simply stated, why should he place himself, his wife and his business in jeopardy and have what has happened to me, happen to him?

It is time these people were stopped. I have great faith in our system and you the voter, and believe that things will work out for the best. Our system does work.

When these meritless ethic complaints and recalls are started, they cost our state and county a great deal of money and place a great amount of stress on our staff.

To that end, I would like to thank our Nye County clerk/voter registrar and her entire staff in Tonopah along with all of the great people that she has working here in Pahrump.

All of you have demonstrated a high degree of professionalism and dignity during this entire time.

My wife and I will never forget your kindness and thoughtfulness.

I would also like to thank the professional and competent staff of the Nevada Secretary of State, who vigorously investigated this recall, saw it for what it was and disqualified it.

In addition, to the voters of District V, I want also like to thank the people of Nevada State Bank, Smith's, ACE Hardware, the Patio Cafe and Mountain Falls along with all of you that were there to lend support, a thoughtful word, a hug or just a smile and a nod.

You have all been so wonderful. I cannot imagine living in a better community.

So once again, thank you all. I hope that I will always live up to your expectations and as I have stated many times before, our best years are yet to come. Together we will make this community exceed all of our expectations.

Thank you again,

PETER LIAKOPOULOS

Your county commissioner in District V

GOP candidates

One only has to watch Mitt Romney to know what an egomaniac he is.

Is there anything he cannot do? After all, he has made millions, never mind what he inherited from his father.

He criticizes Hillary Clinton's every word and it is time he is taken to task.

First of all, his father didn't serve in the military, nor did Mitt himself, and neither have any of their sons, but he still feels he should be president and "commander in chief."

Well, it's time some of the rich kids are sent to die in Iraq like all the sons and daughters of the poor and middle class -- then he can say he should be "commander in chief."

Mitt criticizes Hillary's medical plan as costing trillions of dollars for which he has been called down for stretching the figures by "trillions,' but he favors the war in Iraq that has already cost trillions, not to mention lives lost on both sides, and he wants to spend trillions more in Iraq, but let us not support our own children with medical.

Mitt is so impressed with himself, he doesn't realize how his double standard resonates with the poor and middle class. He is just too phony.

Plain and simple -- you haven't got what it takes, you are all talk and furthermore, the people of Massachusetts didn't like you either.

JOYCE SMITH-CALL

Try it again, I won't be there

I would like to point out, the whole (caucus) was very unfair for anyone that has trouble getting around or standing for long periods.

I was able to get a place to park in the parking lot by making by own spot at the end of the line. I would have gone back home otherwise. I did see a lot of people discouraged by how far they had to park, they just went back home.

If a kind lady hadn't given me her chair, I would not have been able to stay. My neighbor stayed home, knowing he would not be able to wait in the long line, and I'm sure there were a lot of others in the same situation. If we have this method again I, for one, won't even attempt to go.

Thank you for letting me air my frustrations.

JEAN A. HALL

Plug the 'doughnut hole'

I write this in hopes of helping those who are caught in the Medicare part D gap, also known as the "doughnut hole."

There is a plan, run by the state of Nevada called Senior Rx. It is free and it is simple to enroll. The plan covers seniors (62 and older) and the disabled (18 through 61).

The income maximum for the senior plan is: for a single person, $24,561 annually, and for a couple, $32,742 annually. I have received the form and I find no questions regarding assets, just income.

Senior Rx will take over to help pay the cost of your prescriptions when the "doughnut hole" looms.

I understand they will even help with the monthly premiums to the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, should you have a separate premium for prescription coverage.

In the same way, if you are disabled (18 through 61), Senior Rx will help with monthly premiums to Medicare Prescription Drug Plan and help with prescription costs if you are subject to the part D coverage gap or "doughnut hole."

For either age group, (18 through 61 must be disabled), if you are not eligible for Medicare, the Senior Rx is available and will have no monthly premium, no deductibles and the co-payments for drugs will be $10 or $25. There is a coverage limit of $5,100 annually.

Just call 866-303-6323 to contact them for information and for a form so that you can apply. The folks there are very helpful and the form is simple.

MARGARET WEBB

Insulted again

It seems that the people of the United States are being insulted again by the traitors of our corrupt politicians in Washington as they have included "illegal aliens" to get an income tax refund without a legal Social Security card.

This is repulsive to citizens of our republic that these "traitors" who are elected to represent the best interest of the citizens of our country are coming up with some benefits for those that are here illegally and entitled to nothing.

I am personally offended that many members of the Senate and House of Representatives are apparently attempting to defend the illegal aliens against the legal citizens and we can only hope that enough citizens will wake up and see what is happening before Mexico and La Raza tell us to get out of their territory, U.S.A.

McCain, one of our candidates for the presidency declared that he was for amnesty for illegal aliens and last evening in the farce called a Republican presidential debate, McCain changed his position to being a closed border.

The fact is, that on national TV three days ago Juan Hernandez, a dual citizen of Mexico and the U.S., reportedly a spokesman for McCain, said that the illegal aliens were not criminals (our laws say that they are felons) but that we just do not understand, they just want to help us.

If you believe that statement just send me your name and I will send you a sympathy card of some kind.

Today, La Raza (the race), the SPLC (Southern Poverty Law Center), the ADL (Anti-Defamation League), Center for American Progress, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, Media Matters for America (George Soros group) and MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense Fund) have unleashed a coordinated, muti-million dollar public relations attack on most of the leaders and groups in the conservative movement as well as Lou Dobbs, Michelle Malkin and Pat Buchannan.

This, my fellow Americans, is a declaration of war in any language.

My only question is, are you going to tolerate such an insult? McCain seems to think that we will.

If this doesn't wake us up, then just have a good eternal sleep.

BILL DAWSON

No news

No news is not good news.

What is going on at TV Channel 30/62? I was a regular viewer of the local news on Channel 30, but am no longer because they "don't do local news anymore."

Anchor Bill Cusik and reporter Julie Weldon are a great news team. Turning on the news at 5:30 was like having the neighbors drop over for a cup of coffee and giving you the latest happenings in Pahrump.

Bill has a laid back friendly style of delivery that was just perfect for the dinner hour. Julie Weldon seemed to be everywhere in Pahrump, day or night she had a story.

When she reported on bad news, you could hear the compassion in her voice for the victims of a tragedy.

The "Swap Shop" is on at different times and oddball days, and then you have to figure out if it's on 30 or 62.

What a train wreck this station has become. These changes can only lead to advertisers leaving and viewers going to other channels.

With no advertisers paying the freight and no viewers to see any ads, why bother having a TV channel?

Then of course, that might be the plan.

PAUL HITCHCOCK

Thanks to the community

Mankins Allstate Insurance and Dream Homes would like to thank the Pahrump community for their involvement in the coat drive held here this winter.

The coats were donated to No to Abuse and were distributed locally. Thanks to the community, 450 people are now warmer.

Thank you to the following:

Channel 41 (Vern Van Winkle) and KNYE 95 Radio (Art Bell) for providing a wide range of audio the Pahrump, Valley Electric, Ruralite Magazine, Pahrump Valley Times and Pahrump Mirror for their community information in their publications.

ROY MANKINS

Keep them open

I need to make sure at this time you all know that I have no affiliation with the company trying to purchase Willow Creek and subsequently the Lakeview course. Please note that I do have a one-share investment at Lakeview Golf Course.

Some years ago a company called Preferred Equities (PEC) purchased land in various parts of the Pahrump Regional Planning District. They built two golf courses and maintained those courses as showpieces in order to sell their land.

The end result was bringing thousands of people to Pahrump -- now your friends and neighbors.

Next, when PEC left, they sold off the courses and moved on to their next development.

Many people set up their retirement based on unenforceable issues and they have been hurt by each consecutive owner since PEC left. That's simply because the new owners, regardless of their knowledge, cannot make either or both courses pay the bills.

Neither course can generate the revenue needed to be self-supporting. Just as PEC needed the courses for show, their profit was in the selling of land.

I personally have spent over a half-century in the golf business, from building courses to operating them -- I do know from where I speak.

Feb. 20 the county commissioners will vote on a new plan that includes extending the protection of the present property plus they will vote on construction of a small, I believe 50-room, hotel and adjacent casino on the Willow Creek property.

This is being done in the form of a zoning change. These are the first owners since PEC that have been willing to spend money on the future of Pahrump.

Of course, this will create multiple jobs, enhance the golf courses, which will encourage wild life, wetlands, a park setting and growth as well as allow many local people to enjoy their golden years according to what they had planned.

Yes, the courses will again be used to draw people to Pahrump. But, without the golf courses there is no ability to compete with Las Vegas courses, (Note: the two courses are maintained through recycled water at no taxpayer cost.)

The company that is trying to purchase Willow Creek has also negotiated a purchase price of the Lakeview course, with the intention of rebuilding the course and clubhouse as they will do at Willow Creek.

Now we get to the real issue, providing of course the purchasers comply with all the requirements of the county/town, make the proper utility provisions in writing with VEA and Utilities Inc.

If the road needs to be widened, it will be widened, and agree to all the requirements the county stipulates.

Feb. 20, the Willow Creek Golf Course will not open in the hope that the people being affected will be out to the commission meeting to show support for going forward.

If the issue is turned down, Willow Creek will not reopen because the investors require the county's approval to support their intentions. The Lakeview purchase will go away.

Lakeview may be able to stay open temporarily, but based on continued losses, the course will be forced to close shortly after the snow birds leave.

We in Pahrump have a reputation of supporting each other in tough times, so I ask that, even if you're not a golfer, please consider your neighbor Pahrumpian and show up and show support at the commissioners' meeting at 8:30 a.m., Feb. 20.

Worst case scenario, this helps our friends and creates many new jobs. Hurts no one.

MURRAY LOOMIS