Response to letter

In response to the letter to the editor titled "Our rights in jeopardy," in the PVT:

Mr. Jones, you do not have informed knowledge of the case or our investigation, you are not in a position to make an informed comment. You also apparently do not have an informed knowledge of law enforcement and our ability to arrest when probable cause presents itself to arrest. In addition, no one's rights were violated.

Apparently, you also are not aware that this office does not report to the D.A.'s office to request permission to arrest, or the Attorney General's office, the F.B.I. or any other office that you may mention.

When we have the evidence that a crime was committed, and probable cause exists, we make the arrest.

Also, let me point out the fact that the D.A.'s office is the legal counsel for all elected officials including this office and it would have been a conflict of interest for the D.A.'s to be involved in our investigation since they represent the suspect and the arresting agency.

Plain and simple, our witness passed a CVSA and had corroborating statements with other witnesses; the suspect refused to come in and give an interview.

Since I have been sheriff, we have done our best to keep the community safe, and investigated violation of laws and made arrests when appropriate.

At times it resulted in members of this office being arrested, members of my family found in violation of law and either cited and/or arrested.

Apparently you believe that certain individuals who are found in violation of the law should get a free pass; you are welcome to publicly name those you want to be given immunity.

I will name mine here: "none."

ANTHONY L. DEMEO

Sheriff

Just one more time

I agree with Americans, we are having a very difficult time dealing with a broken America. We all agree that we need a change. How can we possibly make a difference?

Attend the Jan. 19 caucus. It is a start. It might not seem important, but it is.

Attending the caucus has given us a chance to be part of a historical event. I, like most, am disgusted with the multitude of problems plaguing our country. Sitting back and doing nothing is not the answer. I decided if I wanted a change, I had to get involved in this historical event. Sitting and complaining does not make a change. Getting out and doing something does.

I attended the Hillary Clinton rally here in Pahrump. It made me realize the significance of the upcoming caucus. I read what the caucus entailed and decided to get involved.

It is very simple. Every one of us can make a change and difference. We can be counted. Unlike the general election, (just a number) we can stand with our neighbors and friends and be counted. How exciting and thrilling.

Remember, we physically must attend. Our attendance counts. I am very proud to know that my attendance in an election finally counts. Yes, this is on a small scale but it can impact the political process for the candidacy of the president of the United States.

After watching the national coverage of the upcoming caucuses, Nevada's importance is downgraded and is barely mentioned, if at all. Again, we are treated as the backwards child. Let's make it our mission to show the country that we are a state that does care and will be reckoned with. Let's make history in our attendance to the caucus. This is our chance -- the national media will be watching. All of us here in Pahrump proved that we can and will be heard.

Remember Hillary's rally, when they only expected 500 and 2500 showed up? We can do it again. Just give Pahrumpians a challenge and see the results.

I am a Hillary Clinton supporter. None of the other candidates have visited our state as she has. She has taken the time to reach out to Nevada.

How many others have visited Pahrump? She didn't charge us to see her. At the Pahrump rally, she stopped and listened and took the time to talk to individuals, even if it was a hardship on her schedule.

She has been criticized by the media as being too harsh or too easy. Her criticism has been relentless. She is running against all men. It is a challenge that I would not undertake. She is not doing this for notoriety. She genuinely cares about her country. She is a winner.

Hillary Clinton's family has been in this country for generations and has lived through all the challenges that come with living in America. She is a true American, made in the USA. Has anyone thought about that?

So, please, no matter how discouraged you are with the political system, fight back, stand tall and proud and please attend the caucus and be counted, and try, just one more time.

LYNN D. SMITH

It's that time again

Well, it's that time again -- another presidential election is right around the corner.

I'm hoping the American voters will reject the "Royal Family" concept this time around.

For the past 20 years now, we have been ruled by either a Bush or a Clinton. Enough is enough.

Now I know there are some of you out there who can't wait to see what Hillary will inflict upon us. And who knows? Maybe in another decade or so (if there are still elections) we can choose between Jeb, Chelsea or Jenna.

Not me - I prefer my republics constitutional, not banana.

Change seems to be the underlying theme in all of the recent election stumping, and I say why not? No more Bushes, Clintons, and most of all, no more incumbents. Throw them all out.

Make the change for a smaller government, lower taxes and secure borders. Make them realize that they work for us, and that it is our money they are spending like drunken sailors.

Your time to speak up is on Jan. 19, and I certainly encourage you to do so.

I remain;

GREGORY N. DOYLE

Thanks for the caring service

We would like to express our sincere appreciation for the excellent care given to my husband from Wednesday, Jan. 2, through Friday, Jan. 4, at our local Desert View Regional Medical Center.

It is very apparent that all personnel including the 911 operator, EMT's, emergency room doctors and nurses along with the inpatient nursing staff really care about helping their patients.

Normally ER and inpatient hospital visits are a nightmare but they made it their mission to make it as comfortable as it can be when you are extremely sick. All need to be commended for their professional and personal care.

Without you, we are not sure what would have happened. Thanks again.

PATTY AND DAVID GRUBBS

Waiting for incorporation?

With the county commissioners voting down the one half of one percent increase in sales tax, I would assume that they are waiting for the town of Pahrump to be incorporated, rather than giving the county sheriff an increase of deputies because incorporation will mean a Pahrump police force and a Pahrump Fire Department.

Or maybe they are just trying to conserve money to install a county health department in the third largest county in the United States.

I believe that once it's been established that we have 40,000 residents in the county that its mandatory that we have a health department according to federal regulations.

That should be pretty soon because the commissioners haven't yet met a builder or developer that they didn't love.

RICHARD A. BROWN

11 points about Peter

First, the recall was going pretty well, it was never lifeless. The reason I know is that I volunteered to get signatures on two occasions and I did pretty good.

So, before anything is written about the recall, get the facts.

Second, there was an investigation going on about Liakopoulos four months prior to his arrest. If Liakopoulos was on the side of the people of Pahrump, think what that half-cent tax would do:

a. It would nip these so called gangs on the butt.

b. More deputy sheriffs mean a safer place to live.

c. Remember that the commissioners voted for Focus to build four homes on an acre and that is going to bring people who will need police protection. So I applaud the sheriff for looking into the future. Good job, Sheriff.

Third, the Liakopoulos never paid for anything on the memorial. The only donation they gave was $310 to purchase a military seal.

Nobody has the right to talk about the veterans' memorial or anything pertaining to it unless the person was there to construct it.

Fourth, no matter when the crime was committed the answer to the question is a crime was committed, and Peter Liakopoulos broke the law, and here in America no one is above the law.

Fifth, I don't remember Ms. Murray voting four times for Liakopoulos' wife to be the curator; I only remember one time. I must have attended a different meeting.

Sixth, what does it matter if Ms. Murray's husband is the head of the local fire department union? What, does that make him a bad person?

Well, he has quite a job not only keeping his members ready for firefighting, but also to make sure they have the equipment and the training they need.

Seventh, I just can't believe the mentality that the sheriff arrested Peter Liakopoulos to keep him away from his wife on Christmas day. Bah, humbug. He was arrested because he committed a felony by trying to bribe a Pahrump board member, period.

Eighth, Liakopoulos knew who was accusing him. He also knew what he was doing. They tried to bully me but it did not work.

Ninth, I just don't understand that remark that the sheriff is out of control. I think he is doing a fine job and I truly believe he never abuses his powers. As a matter of fact, he has helped people instead of arresting them.

Tenth, speaking of personal gains, I know a professional that is very good at that. He is Peter Liakopoulos.

Eleventh, Liakopoulos, life is like a jar of jalapenos, what you do today will burn your butt tomorrow and that is exactly what happened to you.

1ST SGT. JOSE A. TELLES

USMC (Ret.)