VEA's solar program

On July 1, an article written by Mark Waite of the Pahrump Valley Times outlined a plan that Pahrump's electrical power broker, a nonprofit cooperative, was planning to enter and compete in the world of private enterprise.

Although the idea proposed by VEA is not new and has been discussed by other in the alternative energy industry for some time, we at Solar Power Systems Inc, although in favor of almost any plan that would help the residents of Pahrump cut electrical energy costs, do not want to be forced out of business to have that happen.

? What was the solar hot water pilot program all about? What happened to the rebate program that was the object of that pilot program?

? Why is a nonprofit utility company getting involved in private enterprises and competing against legitimate, licensed, profit-oriented companies?

? What system is VEA selling and why is it priced so far below competition?

? Who are the professional solar hot water systems installers they mentioned and what are their qualifications and experience? We may want to hire them also.

? What knowledge and experience does Great Basin College have regarding the installation of solar hot water heating systems that licensed operating solar contractors in the area do not have?

? Why were none of the Nevada state licensed solar hot water installation contractors in Southern Nevada not included in any of the discussions of VEA's intentions of an operation that could have such a profound effect on them?

As a member of the VEA co-op (I receive a bill each month to prove it), why were you and I not advised of their intentions?

? Why were none of the licensed solar contractors in our local area (including Las Vegas) not asked for their input or to participate in VEA's solar program?

There also appears to be several misleading statements regarding an operating solar hot water heating system I would like to comment on.

An operating solar hot water system produces hot water at the same price each day regardless of the number of persons in the household. That cost is very close to $0. As in zero.

The cost is the same for one as it is for a three, or a twenty-person household.

Pricing a solar system, as is done in the industry, as any consumer product, is always based on the cost value of the system itself (material + labor + profit), and should not be arrived at by the number of persons using it.

When you purchase a car they don't ask you how may people are going to ride in it, do they?

Of course, VEA has the right to price their products in whatever manner it chooses. But why is a family of three and four persons being penalized with a higher monthly payment than a one to two person family?

Also, it is doubtful any given piece of machinery can survive 40 years without replacing a component here and there from time to time. We all know our hot water tanks only last about 12 years due to the chemicals in our water here in the valley. Rheem solar storage tanks are no different.

You may have you own questions you may want to submit to VEA regarding some of the points discussed here before enlisting in their program.

ARDEE MURRAY

President, Solar Power Systems, Inc.

Opposition to H.R. 3200

I strongly urge you to contact your legislators to oppose H.R. 3200, "America's Health Choices Act of 2009," in its current form.

The small business surtax would devastate small businesses already struggling with a severe recession. This surtax would hit those who create jobs especially hard because more than six of every 10 affected are small business owners, who have led America out of the last seven recessions and create two out of every three jobs during a recovery.

Other problematic provisions include the public plan, which would be an unfair competitor, ultimately shifting costs to the private sector, as it becomes big enough to drive down reimbursements to doctors and hospitals.

Consumers would then flock to the public plan because its premiums would be cheaper, and ultimately no viable private plans would remain.

Also, any mandate to employers that requires them to offer a one-size-fits-all, "minimum benefits package" to all their employees is the wrong idea.

The solution is not to force people to buy into an unaffordable system; the solution is to improve the quality and affordability of health care through market-based changes.

Employer mandates, by their nature, limit flexibility and innovation -- the foundation of voluntary employer-provided health care.

This legislation will not address the nation's health cost explosion; will steeply hike taxes in an already precarious economic situation; will fail to lead to more affordable, accessible, quality health coverage and will lead us toward government-run health care.

In short, it will make a bad situation worse, at great costs to the nation in jobs, taxes and freedom.

In fact, a recent study by the Lewin Group, estimates 130 million people would move from private to public insurance if such legislation were enacted.

This would be a disaster -- and devastate the employer-sponsored system.

Instead, encourage Congress to reform the insurance market and find ways to control costs. Without serious steps to decrease health care spending, any such plan will accelerate the day of a health care financial meltdown.

Please consider the impact a public plan and new sweeping employer mandates would have on the private sector. This is not the way to overhaul the health care system.

I strongly urge you to contact your legislators and tell them to oppose legislation favoring a government-run, public health care plan.

FRANK J. MAURIZIO

PAHRUMP TOWN BOARD

Working toward a

better community

I am writing this out of pure frustration that one opinion or belief has caused so much negativity from others. As I have always stated, the positive feedback and opinions I receive from many Pahrump residents on a daily basis always washes away the negativity. From the beginning, I have always remained professional and respectful during and after all the town board meetings that I have attended. I truly wish that others would show the same respect.

How is it that one small group feels that it can speak for a community of thousands? Why is it that a recall call-list can be made "just because?" Why is it that so many people are based on living their lives with the pure intentions of causing another person misery?

This town is based on rumors -- rumors stating that I am being paid by several town representatives and/or the press, which again is false. Which brings me to ask this: Who is paying them to start those rumors?

I have so many questions on this ongoing subject which I know I will never receive the answers to, but it is time that we stop hiding behind the comment, "It's our constitutional right," and make the changes we want to see without badgering others.

Please support this town by attending the meetings, which are held at the Bob Ruud Community Center each month on the second and fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m. I once again urge each and every one of you to be there, to voice your opinions or just show your support.

With all the negativity I have received, it pushes me harder to get new faces to attend, more signatures for what the people want, and most of all to never miss another meeting.

So I say thank you to those people who feel the need to try to intimidate and argue with me. You are the ones who have given me the inspiration to continue my journey. I am thankful for each and every negative comment as this compels me to work harder for you, for me and for the community.

Again, with each other we can have a better community.

See you at the next meeting.

STEPHANIE LOPEZ