Sex offender registration fees

This is a response to Kathleen Bienenstein's opinion of my rebuttal letter for the sheriff's request for registration fees.

Ma'am, first of all, my complaint was about registration fees, not the act of registering itself. As I have stated before, I am in full compliance with my registration obligations and have been since my release from prison.

2. You may claim that I am just a jailhouse lawyer but the fact is, you know nothing about the extent of my legal knowledge.

Maybe you should read the Review-Journal from June 27, section B, pages 1 and 7. You will discover that the courts have put a temporary injunction on the Walsh Law to see if it will pass constitutional edit.

3. You know nothing about the circumstances of my case. If you feel the need to pass judgement, maybe you should get a copy of my transcripts from the 8th Judicial District Court clerk.

The first thing you will discover is that my case is nearly 18 years old. The second thing you will discover is that I not only pled guilty to the charge that I was convicted of, I also turned myself into the police of my own free will. So I do have a conscience.

4. I do agree that sex offenders should be registered. However, charging for registration will not make the public any safer.

If Sheriff DeMeo gets what he wants (a fee for registration) he will be double-dipping into the cookie jar.

The Walsh Law, if it passes constitutional edit, provides literally millions of dollars to each state that enacts the law within a three-year period.

It will fund the Smart Program, the Soma Program, GPS Program and other similar programs.

If you are not aware of these programs, may I suggest reading the legislative notes that are attached to this law.

5. I am all for keeping schools, neighborhoods and public gatherings safe and free of predators. As I stated before, charging a fee for registration will not accomplish that.

Law enforcement needs to actively seek out non-compliant offenders. Compliant offenders need to remain compliant and take an active roll in the sex offender specific therapy that is mandated by the Department of Parole and Probation.

Yes, for the record, I have completed that too.

6. In regards to my victim, I would love the opportunity to apologize for the harm that I caused. Unfortunately, doing that would be in violation of my parole. Simply saying I'm sorry just isn't going to cut it.

To make excuses or attempt to justify my actions would just be wrong, because there is no excuse or justification for committing a sex offense.

ANTHONY PIETRORAZIO

Sex offenders being registered

This is in response to Ms. Bienenstein's letter back to Mr. Pietrorazio.

First off, you must not have read Mr. Pietrorazio's letter too well.

As for him being a jailhouse lawyer, sounds like a good one to me. At least he reads all the facts before saying anything. Props to you, Mr. Pietrorazio.

He is not against sex offenders registering or keeping the schools and public safe. Get it right.

He is just saying to quit putting more fees and more restrictions on those who have done quite well in our and other communities since they have served their time for what they have done.

Some sex offenders are not sexual predators, just victims of happenstance.

Stop and think. Teenagers do not care about age.

If you are dating someone and turn 18 you are a sex offender. If you are babysitting and one of the little ones has diarrhea and you have to clean them off and their little brother or sister tells mommy and daddy you touched their sister, boom, you're a sex offender.

Being a rape victim myself, I feel you should be punished for your crime, but see the happenstance I am talking about. If you are a repeat offender (rapist etc.) or even a first-time offender of a child, you should serve your time and be registered as a sex offender.

As for victims -- Quit being victims. Make something good out of a messed-up situation.

You can sit around the rest of your life blaming everyone, even yourself, or get up and be productive. Live on -- I have.

You cannot say that it is hard, I know. It is up to you how you want to live.

Do not dwell on it, that is the worst thing you can do.

I understand that it kills a part of you. It's like losing a spouse; you lose a part of yourself, but keep on living.

I know that too, having lost my husband seven and a half years ago, and I am still living after that, too.

Life is hard, you just have to learn to live with it.

Mr. Pietroprazio has made good points. He has served his time. He has done everything right since he has gotten out.

He is a good person. What he did once in happenstance in his youth past is just that -- past.

He had no youth due to it.

Ms. Bienenstein, worry about the two and three-time offenders. The ones that keep doing the same crime over and over again. The ones that don't register (maybe because of people like you who pass judgement on others without even knowing the happenstance).

Charging the offenders more money might just stop the good from registering. Yes, I understand it is going to cost more for everything, but the government is paying for it.

Why does Nye County have to charge more?

Wow. Sounds like they want to be paid twice for the same thing.

Ms. Bienenstein, you might think that I don't have any kids. Wrong. I have three and I worry about them every day in this screwed-up world of ours. Doesn't any normal parent?

You worry about them being out with friends, driving to and in Vegas.

All I am saying is to think about all the aspects of things before you pass judgement on anything or anyone.

If you say that you can cast the first stone, I would call you a liar. Everyone has some kind of sin in his or her life.

No one on earth can throw the first stone. Only God can pass any kind of judgement on a person.

TINA MILLER

Flood control project

Even though flood control is desirable, please consider that the overall economy is teetering, the state budget has a large deficit and homeowners are having problems paying their mortgages. Not the best time to add to their tax burden.

Most of the land required for catch basins etc., is BLM property and it will take 4-5 years to acquire.

The proponents of this project urge for the full bond of $350 million now. What will happen to these funds and how much will be frittered away while we wait on BLM? What will it cost in five years?

Will we need another $500 million? Remember the Big Dig in Boston? Or the county building on Basin?

Las Vegas Flood Control reports at least 30 more years of construction.

Quoting from the study, "It is more likely that the indebtedness limit will be the practical limit set by the Nye County taxpayers and homeowners." Does that mean we will spend until there is a taxpayer revolt?

The $350 million expense will amount to $10,000 for each resident of Pahrump. In addition, there is annual maintenance in excess of $1 million.

The proposal to finance this project is as ingenious as it is unfair.

By proposing to finance this project with a levy based solely on property size it is almost assured that people will vote for this. The proponents of this project realized that by appealing to voters in high density areas, with small lots and therefore cheaper levies, they will get a lot of votes.

Voters that live on larger lots are by the nature of the lot size fewer but will be levied at a much higher cost. This means the few will pay for the many.

For a home on a half-acre lot, the proposed annual fee is $92.50. The exact same home on a 10-acre lot would be charged an annual fee of $1,850, or 20 times the amount of the other home. Even though both homes have the exact same value and pay the same amount for flood insurance.

The value of the home and property is of no concern.

Large homes in subdivisions, especially the Winery, will gain the most in protection and pay only $50, while a trailer located on 1.5 acres gains marginal benefits but will pay $280 yearly.

Wal-Mart or Home Depot would pay no more than the owner of any 10-acre lot, occupied or bare. The levies are not subject to the state-imposed 3 percent tax increase limit. The full amount would be added to the normal tax.

Bare land requires a "detention fee" of $650 to $920 per acre.

This unjust proposal will probably create lawsuits once property owners find out what hit them. The only equal levy would be the one based on a percentage of each property's assessed value, exactly as the property tax. Alternatively, establish a uniform levy per parcel regardless of size, similar to the landfill charge.

The study has determined the location of the various construction areas, but it is not necessary to immediately establish the bond size, payment and go into debt. Begin acquiring the necessary properties from BLM and private owners.

Only after properties have been obtained should the construction cost be revisited. The most urgent project should be picked and financed. But only one project. Then finish this project and establish the real cost before continuing with more projects.

This would not be in the interest of the parties that would profit from this if we were to start the whole thing right now but would be in the interest of the residents of Pahrump. If things do not work out as planned, these parties will just be back for more money. And if there is no more money available, they will be on their way, we would have unfinished projects but would still have to pay the full amount of the bonds.

While obtaining the required properties, other ways of financing should be pursued. Since the majority of floodwaters are discharged off BLM land, negotiate with BLM to help fund this. BLM has made billions from land sales in Clark County and should participate.

HELMUT BAYER

Candidate withdraws

Nye County Clerk's Office

Re: Withdrawal from candidates list for town board members

I place my official request to withdraw from the list of candidates running for the two open positions for town board members on this day, July 9, 2008.

I have the deepest respect for all candidates running for office and wish all the best in their efforts and I am hopeful that all have a positive vision for our community and realization of the needs of all our citizens.

My background is as a career counselor, teacher, coach, prevention specialist, board member and treasurer for the Nye Communities Coalition along with volunteering with the NCC youth groups and with Nathan Adelson Hospice camps for youth that have had loved ones pass away.

I realize more than ever the need to continue my efforts as a career counselor with the WIA programs to provide counseling, case management, supportive services and training opportunities for clients seeking employment to help obtain, retain and grow in their employment related goals and have opportunity to build that program in Pahrump to be successful for all clients re-entering the workforce.

I also want to be there for my wife and share more time with her.

I enjoy my free time working around the yard of projects and want to get back to participating more in basketball events in Las Vegas with the Senior Olympics.

While I have been involved in community functions and will continue to be involved in community events, I do not feel that I have time to fully comprehend all the issues that would come upon the board.

It has been my upbringing to do the best that I can in what I set out to do during my career. If I cannot do my best, I would be a disappointment to myself and those that may have supported me.

In my own way, I will continue to be involved doing the small things behind the scenes to work for the goals and needs of the citizens of Pahrump.

BRIAN NELSON