MARIE WUJEK MORE COLUMNS Advertisement

A sign posted on the north end of Highway 160 coming into Pahrump from Highway 95 reads, "Welcome to Pahrump, the heart of the new old west."

I can't say if this welcome sign is also posted on the south end of Pahrump, with so many billboards and other signs lining the highway you can't drive and read them all.

I think a good welcome sign for Pahrump should read, "Welcome to Pahrump, turn your clock back 25 years." With what I've seen happening here in the past few years, the heart of the new old west will flatline in years to come. We need to pursue progressive economic job growth, improve education at all levels, make the safety of our citizens a high priority, and improve our infrastructure and roads, along with countless other projects.

The word progress means to move forward. The word regress means to fall back. Seems for every two steps forward, Pahrump takes five steps back.

Retail outlets and casinos, which make up the majority of the job offerings in Pahrump, pay taxes and employ thousands of folks. Problem is, these are typically lower paying jobs with limited employee benefits. Face facts, there are only so many county and higher paying job opportunities available locally.

Friday's edition of the Pahrump Valley Times contained an extremely well researched and written letter to the editor about the proposed detention center. The letter was written by Bernard Hoffman, who incidentally has a big stake in the detention center. When constructed, this facility will be his next door neighbor.

I want to thank Mr. Hoffman for being a great Pahrumpian and a great American. He researched the facts, presented them in a true, unbiased and easy to understand format and had the courage to tell the county commissioners to get on with it -- no more delays in approving the agreement with Corrections Corporation of America.

The commissioners meeting on Oct. 21 is, in part, to finalize the agreement with CCA. I encourage them to do so; the time for community discussion is long past. The commissioners should accept written pro and con testimony only. They need to concentrate on finalizing this agreement. Again, the time for discussion and complaint is over.

I urge you, Chairwoman Eastley, with utmost respect, to stand your ground and eliminate public testimony for or against this facility, which is a waste of time. Allow only comments, statements, and testimony needed to finalize the details of this agreement.

It scares the hell out of me that so many Pahrump shepherds are feeding their flocks with misinformation and lies. No wonder it took over a decade to build a hospital in Pahrump.

Another frightening thought is that in less than 30 days we will cast our vote for the next president of the U.S. This is probably the most critical presidential election in our lifetime.

Please do your own research on the people running for office, be it national, state or local candidates. Make up your own mind on who best represents you and your family's values, interests, needs and beliefs.

Don't base your vote on an over the fence discussion with a neighbor, or a co-worker, friend or family member's opinion. Our future depends on you fulfilling your job and rights as an American and voting your conscience. Research all the candidates and cast your ballot on Nov. 4 based on what is important to you. Don't buy into the lies, deceit and misinformation coming at you from every direction. Some candidates are so busy blasting their opponent with lies and false accusations that they end up not having to detail their own experience and qualifications.

Do your duty, do the research, and be sure to vote. Our future and the health, safety and prosperity of our nation and generations to follow depend on it.

While waiting to watch the debate Tuesday night I heard the following news announcement, "American anxiety and stress levels are at an all time high." Hum, what would cause anxiety and stress levels to increase to an all time high?

Where do I start? We have a failing economy, we are fighting two wars with our current military staff and resources completely maxed out, job losses at record highs, the stock market falling, higher cost of living, decreased net pay, retirement accounts diminishing daily, health insurance and medical costs going through the roof, natural disasters, global warming, higher cost of energy, and the list goes on and on.

Kind of hard to feel "just peachy" when as a nation, we can't recover from one disaster before the next one unfolds, and it's worse than the one before. Everything we used to believe in is now tainted in one way or another. Truth, integrity and honor no longer hold the same value to the majority of us. What we believed in before is all different now.

We elect people to look out for our best interests instead of pushing their own agenda. We trust their judgment and pay them very well to protect and serve the American people. For what? Peace of mind? Pursuit of the American dream?

Think I'll go for my spa treatment now to help me relax and cope with the negatives of the day. My bathtub filled with hot water and a dose of "Calgon take me away" will do the trick.