MARIE WUJEK MORE COLUMNS Advertisement

What is the problem?

Why the big fuss over building a correctional facility in Pahrump?

As long as I have lived in Pahrump, folks have waited patiently for economic job growth in this valley bringing better paying jobs than the typical $7 or $8 an hour offered by retail stores, restaurants, hotels and casinos.

Look at the facts. The chance of an Intel or automotive plant coming to Pahrump that would employ thousands of people, offering a livable wage and good benefits, is probably nil.

The government has put the squeeze on all types of manufacturing in the U.S., encouraging and at times forcing these types of plants to cross a border or an ocean for economic survival. Meeting EPA standards, OSHA regulations and implementing government-required protection for communities, workers and the environment is extremely costly for any business that manufactures goods or is considered industrial based.

A detention center in Pahrump that will employ over 200 people, operated by a company that successfully manages different levels of correctional or detention facilities in 19 states and the District of Columbia, is a good start for Pahrump.

More than once in my life -- twice to be exact -- I have lived within five miles of a state medium or maximum security prison. After a short period they just become part of the landscape, you don't even realize they are there.

The renderings I have seen of this facility portray better structure and appealing aesthetics than many of the commercial eyesores already standing, occupied or vacant, in Pahrump.

I am all for bringing decent-paying jobs with career development potential to Pahrump, especially if they employ some of the folks making that dangerous daily drive into Vegas, or qualified residents of Pahrump who have had to accept positions locally at a lower rate of pay because for one reason or another, they can't or don't want to commute.

Not in my backyard?

Facilities and centers like this have to be built somewhere. I do feel for people that purchased vacant land intending to build their future dream or retirement home. Unfortunately, you take a risk when you purchase vacant or developed property in an area that is virtually undeveloped or partially developed. You never know what is going to move in at a later date, like a dairy, meat-processing plant, sewer treatment facility or worse.

Some of you are worried about the people that will blow into Pahrump to visit the inmates. You question what kind of creeps or scumbags will hang around town waiting to visit a friend or family member housed there.

My guess is moms, dads, brothers, sisters, wives and children will constitute the majority of people coming to town to visit an incarcerated individual. I seriously doubt anyone on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted List, or for that matter anyone wanted for anything, will attempt to enter a corrections facility.

Think about it. If they are bad seeds with outstanding warrants, will they risk going to jail themselves? Probably not. You don't just walk in and ask to visit someone as if they are staying at the Hilton -- you have to be cleared to see inmates.

When Pahrump started experiencing major population growth, gas wasn't $4 a gallon, property was reasonably priced, crime rates were low and this area was more conducive to raising a family than a large city.

Las Vegas was experiencing a long-standing growth period, the Test Site and Yucca Mountain Project were steady employers, and some of the mining projects were still in full operation, all of which required a commute from Pahrump.

Now, the growth and construction in Vegas made the previous hour-long trip to the city double -- gas prices followed suit and then came the recession, job losses, construction at nearly a standstill. You get the picture.

Pahrump needs to work toward becoming self-sustained. We need our current and future officials, the chamber of commerce and all community organizations to continue to focus and solicit businesses looking to relocate or open a new facility.

We need county and town officials to get in the spirit of building Pahrump instead of stalling or limiting commercial growth in Pahrump by placing requirements on new or expanding businesses to cover what previous businesses weren't required to cover at the time they started.

Make them an offer they can't refuse -- communicate, negotiate -- to bring better jobs to our community.

Poor planning and requirements not placed on businesses already in operation should not become a financial burden on new businesses wanting to come to Pahrump.

The pyramid effect will take hold. If you build a strong economic job base and add higher education opportunities, property values and homes sales will increase. This will bring in more tax dollars to make the needed improvements in our town a shared burden, instead of one totally absorbed by new business and home construction.

Pahrump is a great community, it will continue to improve as new businesses and other opportunities present themselves, allowing our residents to work locally.