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Time to develop our town

With gas as high as it is, living in Pahrump and having to drive to Las Vegas in order to work is no longer the bargain it once was. In light of this, we are told to raise the sales tax 1/2 percent. This, we are told, will raise $2 million a year, but don't worry about it, you're not going to feel it.

We need to do the math. With 40,000 people in Pahrump, divided by $2 million, equals $50 per person. A family of five would be burdened by an additional tax of $250 a year.

That doesn't sound like much but if you add that to our ever-increasing cost of living, you can see why I voted against the sales tax increase. For this, I have been criticized and accused of wrongdoing.

Now, I know that we need to increase our revenues. We need to provide services to our growing community. Taxing people is not the way to accomplish that.

The way that we increase revenues is by expanding businesses. More business equals a larger tax base and more revenue to provide our citizens with essential government services.

More business equals more jobs, so that the people of our community can work here in Pahrump.

Now, there are people who will tell you that with the economy such as it is, no new companies want to come to Pahrump. These people are simply misinformed.

Each month the Nye County Planning Department and the Pahrump Regional Planning Commission drive many businesses out of our town. It would appear that these folks for the first time in their lives have some power -- power they are using to destroy the economy of Pahrump and to destroy the lives of our citizens.

Why is it some folks on the RPC think they are entitled to place themselves on a higher level than the people who are willing to invest in Pahrump and to put up their own money to see this town grow and prosper?

Why are these self-important people killing any dream of Pahrump becoming anything good?

Case in point, we have a RPC member who, during my recent failed recall, went to businesses that advertise on my TV shows, wearing his test site badge and carrying a clip board while he conducted his personal "investigation."

He acted like he was an official and asked my clients if I had intimidated them into advertising with me.

Those actions went beyond attempting to recall me from the office that you, the people, elected me to. These actions affected my income.

Who gave this man this authority? Think about it. Would you want someone digging into your private business to further his own agenda?

By the way, this man, at the time, was the second vice president of the Nye County Republican Central Committee (NCRCC). This man's conduct finally became so improper that the NCRCC was forced to suspend his membership in the organization.

This man goes by the name of "Nevada," but his real name is Chris Alan Tolladay.

Now Fely Quitevis, the chairman of the Nye County Republican Central Committee (NCRCC), and the owner of Precious Properties, had purchased a business that has been closed for a couple of years.

The building was going to decay and was an eyesore when she purchased it. A business that, if opened, would provide jobs and create a larger tax base for our community. This would increase the tax base, increase revenue and help to provide services that this community needs.

The Nye County Planning Department approved the plans for the business that Ms. Quitevis wants to open. However, the RPC saw an opportunity to destroy something that would provide more jobs and create a larger tax base, which would help to provide revenue that is needed to provide services for our community.

They decided to vote against a project that would provide jobs and create a tax base that would help to provide services that our town so desperately needs.

It is time to put a stop to the harassment of businesses and it is time to stop driving businesses out of town. It is time to start developing our town so that we can all live, work and play right here in Pahrump.

Sincerely,

PETER LIAKOPOULOS

Dogs running loose

On April 9, at 3:30 a.m., my three pet geese were viciously attacked in our front fenced yard by neighborhood dogs.

Hearing the commotion, I flung the door open and tried to run the dogs off our property.

As they went under the fence, they spun around and "faced off" with me, growling, barking and snarling while still on our driveway.

I ran into the house and grabbed my gun. Being still there, I aimed at the sound and fired one shot.

My husband had already called Animal Control.

Supervisor Tim McCarty responded and with much determination, he traced down the owner and was able to acquire important information.

Since the attack I have grieved the loss of one of my "goose girls." One too many, I shouldn't be counting.

Dog owners, please keep your dogs in your own yard. To the neighbor whose dogs are still running the streets -- with gun in hand, I will not miss next time.

Thanks again, Tim McCarty, and All Creatures Animal Hospital.

BARBARA MUSHKIN

Clean up the act

One of the biggest problems in making Pahrump a neat and clean-looking town, is the town board or county commissioners spend so much money on surveys and out-of-area planners, etc., that this money could well be spent to clean up the commercial areas.

If small signs are too be allowed on Highways 160 and 372, there should be a size restriction and require a county paid permit.

I realize that these things were ignored in the past; also, 160 being a state highway, the town board or county commissioners should get the state to weed and rock their easements.

The large sign at the entrance to Calvada Boulevard has been painted over and left blank. Why? And the waterfall turned off. Why?

What is wrong with the county removing signs and things like the abandoned mobile homes and VW, etc., on Highway 160 or advise the property owners to clean up their land or the county will do it for them and bill them for the cost?

Property owners are sitting on their properties along Highway 160 waiting for the "big bucks," therefore commercial businesses are getting scattered around the valley.

Pahrump is not large enough, even with the projected growth, to have shopping centers at both ends of town, not for the big box stores.

R. E. WILLIAMSON

A day for letters

May 9, 2008: What a day for letters to the editor in the PVT.

First, Belinda Hendrickson called our illustrious commissioners "ignorant."

You know, she might be right. Not only about their intelligence but other statements she wrote about.

Next, Samantha Sarandos tells us about how the PTA at HES is teaching our younger generation how to get things done without whining to the commissioners for money for away-from-school programs/field trips, mini-vacations, etc. .

Samantha, will you enroll our commissioners in HES? Just maybe in the future we will have voters who elect better commissioners.

GLENN HEESACKER

Thank you

The staff at Hafen Elementary School would like to acknowledge the hard work and generosity of our local Pahrump Valley High School Interact Club.

The club, led by senior Mike Evans, recently held a fundraiser to raise money for our school. The profits they earned were matched by the Pahrump Rotary Club, and the proceeds from the donation will be distributed in areas of need for our students.

In a time where young people are constantly faced with adversity and opposition, it is comforting to know that many of our youth are selflessly giving their time and talents for the welfare of others in our community.

We would like to thank the students and their leaders in the Interact Club and the Pahrump Rotary Club for their generous donation.

TERRY OWENS

Thanks for support

The Pahrump Valley Garden Club thanks all of the volunteers and benefactors who helped to make the 2nd annual Landscape Tour a success:

Bedrock Landscape, Star Nursery, Marcelino's Healing Arts, Pahrump Nursery, The Patio Cafe, Gisela's Cafe and Deli, Secret Sisters Boutique, David and Hardy, Sunrise Acres, Chandini Yoga, Betsy Bauer-Lilly LMT, Hy-Desert Produce, Patty -- Oil Lady, Sally Pollock, Walter Roesch, Ultimate Discount Health, Impressions Window Coverings.

Also, Lois Layne's Deli, Donut Depot, Pahrump Bakery, Papa Willie's Italian Eatery, Gigi's Ladies Fashions, Connie Van Malkenhorst, Brent and Dianne Wilson, Dick and Ann Bush, William and Minona Mueller, Holly and Gerald Hensler, Curt, Dawn and Craig Winkle, Kathy Bienenstein and Bonnie Swadling.

Thank you,

SOPHIE FRANKE