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Best Christmas present ever

This Christmas, instead of a gift, I was provided with a receipt, which indicated my wife purchased dog and cat food for the Pahrump animal shelters.

Due to the state of the economy and the amount of animals that have discarded by the community, I considered this one of the best presents I could have hoped for.

Upon relating our using presents for the sheltered animals to our daughter in Texas, she indicated our grandson's birthday party did not hand out gifts but suggested animal food be brought to the party for donation to their local shelter.

They ended up with a van full of food, and each child was left with a feeling they had at least contributed a little to help the animals.

JACK HARP

'Yes we can'

I am a citizen and registered Democrat of Pahrump and I worked very hard to get Barack Obama elected.

I started in September of 2007. The last day I worked was the day of the presidential campaign when my dreams came true. I still can't believe it and am so proud of the campaign here in Pahrump.

The citizens here rallied and the spirit of 2008 lives on in our Monday MeetUps and weekend planning sessions. Obama fired us up beyond the election. As a Democrat I felt the best use of my spare time away from work and family would be best spent working to elect Mr. Obama.

Therefore, because if this, I was unable to attend the Nye County Democrat Central Committee meetings. Monday Jan. 26, I attended my first meeting, even though it had been published in a local paper that the meeting had been moved to Thursday, Jan. 29.

I was excited about the prospect of joining many other Democratic Pahrumpians fresh from our historic victory. Unfortunately, I was sickened and appalled by what had transpired.

For many months prior to the meeting, many Democratic members had attempted to obtain the bylaws of the Nye County Democrats to no avail. The reason given to us by the chairman was that they were lost.

They had deliberately lost the bylaws so we couldn't look at them. That is a violation. The bylaws of any group are to be readily available.

Then they said the bylaws were just like the state bylaws, which I found out later, they were not. At the meeting I made a motion that was seconded but the chairman did not let debate occur, much less a vote, and then others started shouting, completely out of order, and the chairman recognized others.

Being familiar with Robert's Rules of order, I knew that our chairman had breached them. The bylaws of the Nye County Democrats follow Robert's Rules of order. However, they were tragically twisted and even ignored Monday night, Jan. 26.

After having finally obtained a copy of the bylaws, I ascertained that the overall effect was to limit the voting participation of registered Democratic Nye County members to essentially a small handful of "qualified voters" in order to control who can and who cannot be on the central committee. Sort of a method to retain control in the hands of a select few -- in other words, perpetuate a clique.

In order to be a voting member or run for office for the Nye County Democrat Central Committee, a registered Democrat must have attended four meetings in the previous calendar year. News to me.

But then, I couldn't look at the bylaws because the chairman had lost them. This is coming from a grown man. Which essentially means I cannot run for office or vote for the next four months. Which means I will not be able to vote in the upcoming elections for new officers.

Furthermore, The central committee decided on its own to hold elections in Tonopah. There was much anger vented at the central committee for arbitrarily making this decision. There is nothing in the Nye bylaws that dictate the requirement of having the election in Tonopah, or Gabbs, or Beatty rather than in Pahrump.

It was stated that the purported decision to hold the election in Tonopah was a decision of the entire central committee members, only five members. The argument at last Monday's meeting was that the election was to be held in Tonopah to accommodate Democrats in that area. That kind of decision cuts both ways.

The effect is to eliminate all other Democrats living in Pahrump, Amargosa, Beatty, etc. from voting.

Applying the four-meeting rule contained in the bylaws, it is almost a certainty that no one from Amargosa, Beatty, Gabbs or Tonopah has ever attended a monthly meeting in Pahrump, thus precluding them from voting at all. The decision to hold the election in Tonopah is, to me an arbitrary one, designed to reduce participation by Nye Democratic Party members.

The state Democratic Party should take note of that. It impacts the state party as well as the Nye County Democratic Party. I urge concerned Democratic Party members to complain loudly about this until it is fixed. I do not personally know the officers of the central committee and wish things weren't like this, but they are and they need to be put right.

But there is hope for the Democratic Party in Nye County.

Many of us, and in particular those of us who worked hard for President Barack Obama, have decided to start fresh with a new Nye County Committee. It will be called the Nye County Democratic Grassroots Committee. We will adhere strictly to Robert's Rules of order. All that we require of voting members is that they have registered with the Democratic Party and have resided in Nye County for six months. No waiting period. No four-meeting requirement.

We seek to encourage all people registered with the Democratic Party to get involved. President Obama has given us the challenge to participate in his administration fully and we intend to do just that. Please join us in this New Nye County Democratic Party community organization. Together, "Yes We Can."

KELLY ALMOND

Solution to capping wells

In response to the article in Jan. 31 edition of the Pahrump Valley Times, ("Utilities Inc. asks that wells be capped"), I believe there is a better plan, which I hope will get the support of the Nye County commissioners, Pahrump Town Board, citizens of Pahrump as well at Utilities Inc. of Central Nevada (UICN).

There are approximately 16,000 lots within the Calvada subdivisions that are all within the service territory of Utilities Inc that have no service available and won't for years and years to come.

These are lots that do not have infrastructure installed, and this number does not include the ones that have infrastructure to the lots.

These are lots that must serve since they are designated as being served with central water and/or central sewer service. Utilities Inc. is under no obligation to extend water and sewer lines at its expense (cost). The entire $238,500,000 could go toward the construction of water and sewer lines to these lots since there would be no capping of wells or abandonment of septic tanks.

Customers would still be obligated to pay the proper connection fees but just think how far the $238,500,000 would go toward the extension of lines.

Since Calvada lots are much smaller than the rural acreage, the density will provide a greater return of revenue for the utility and provide many more buildable lots within the Utilities Inc. service area. This will open up not only residential but many more commercial lots.

I feel this is a win-win for everyone.

RONALD DIEMOZ

Take over Utilities Inc.

I believe that it is time for the citizens of Pahrump to declare domain against Utilities, Inc. and take over the system proposed expansion using government incentive funds to repair, expand and control the system.

If our taxpayer funds are to be used, we should have control of the operation of the sewer and water systems.

This way we would have control of the cost of maintaining and operating the system.

We would also control the fees being charged.

By being a nonprofit program we could keep the funds collected in the local area.

MYRON BISHOP

UICN proposal

Thank you very much for copying Utilities Inc of Central Nevada (UICN) on your letter to the editor. It may surprise you to know that UICN absolutely agrees with he need for infrastructure to the lots left "unbuildable" by Preferred Equities and have included this in our economic stimulus proposal to Washington.

The proposal includes several projects to correct deficiencies in the system that have been there since the inception of CNUC, the previous water utility, to bring the system up to current standards and codes. In brief, the stimulus package proposes the following improvements to the system:

1. Replace undersized water mains to improve fire flows the community, which could better our fire rating and lower homeowner's insurance.

2. Reduce the number of water mains, which dead end, improving water quality and lowering the cost of maintenance.

3. Replace sewer mains, which are undersized and bellied, which cause offensive gasses to build up and odor problems in certain areas.

4. Start a water re-use program to use effluent to irrigate facilities such as the fairgrounds, parks, schools, Calvada Eye and fountain.

Two hundred and fifty million dollars in improvements will bring a lot of jobs to Pahrump (engineers, surveyors, heavy equipment operators, contractors, etc.), who will in turn eat at our restaurants, shop at our stores and use our banks. In addition, the improvements will provide revenue for our government entities through permits and inspection fees. All of these projects are paid for with the stimulus money and will provide great benefit to the valley.

There has been a lot of focus and confusion regarding the capping of wells.

First of all, the projects would only be done in the UICN certified service territory, not throughout the entire Pahrump Valley. Per state law, no one with an existing well will be forced to connect to the system.

However, the stimulus package proposes that for those who choose to connect as a part of this project, there will not be any connection or line extension fees paid to UICN and the package even pays to cap their well (or septic system).

In addition, the water rights for domestic wells are owned by the state of Nevada. The state has put together a domestic well program, which provides the necessary water rights for someone connecting to the system (with certain qualifications).

This stimulus package is about bringing old deficient infrastructure up to today's standards, improving quality of service, eliminating odor issues, water conservation through reuse, protecting the future water supply for the valley and making unbuildable lots available. All of these good things just bring more good things to Pahrump: jobs, sales, revenue and development.

We completely agree that this is a win-win for everybody.

WENDY BARNETT

Regional Director, West Utilities Inc.

Way to go, Pahrump

A big "way to go" to the Pahrumpians (I love that word; it has such a noble ring to it like "centurion") residents who shouted down the proposed gun ban at the recent town meeting.

As a card carrying gun nut, I fully concur the Second Amendment grants us the right to own and bear arms, and any statute that infringes this right is unconstitutional and should not be allowed.

I further propose any public servant who thinks otherwise does not understand the mentality of the Pahrumpian people and should not be allowed to serve us.

Just one point. I've seen a lot of people who have no firearms training, little or no practice, are horrible shots and might also be mentally unstable.

Every time I see someone carrying a firearm openly, I wonder if the person is one of them, and quite honestly, it makes me nervous. Is the person going to go postal, or open up on some bad guy in a convenience store and hit me or my wife instead?

The point is, yes, all law-abiding citizens should have the option of carrying a firearm openly if they so desire. However, it would reduce the stress level of especially a gun nut like myself if a person who for whatever reason feels a need to carry a firearm in public get a CCW and carry concealed.

It's very easy to do. Just take a simple course, pass a written exam and a ridiculously easy shooting test (fire 30 rounds into a large paper target at point blank range), and pay a small fee to the sheriff's office.

And whatever a gun owner decides to do, they should practice regularly. Marksmanship is a highly perishable skill, and a gun is a liability if a shooter can't hit an intended target.

Let's all have a happy, stress-free and safe day in Pahrump.

DAVID G. ALEXANDER

Thanks to hospital and Fire-Rescue

About three weeks before Christmas my mom had a stroke. We called 911. Fire and rescue promptly showed up, did a quick check and got mom on her way to the Pahrump hospital.

The hospital personnel stabilized mom and did a C-scan and quickly confirmed it was a stroke. Arrangements were made to have fire and rescue take mom to a stroke center in Las Vegas.

I believe quick and prompt action by the Pahrump emergency agencies were a majorreason for mom's quick and almost 100 percent recovery.

Thanks again, Pahrump hospital and Pahrump Fire and Rescue.

DONALD WESTERN

Disservice to our youth

I am writing this letter because I feel a huge disservice has been done to the youth of Pahrump.

Anyone who supports the arts of any kind (liberal, theater, visual, etc.) knows that in today's world, funding for those projects is hard to come by. After attending the Pahrump Tourism Advisory Board meeting Feb. 5, that funding was denied.

Let me explain: The Pahrump Arts Council (PAC) bring to the kids of Pahrump a weeklong residency with the Missoula Children's Theatre (MCT) program in which kids can get exposure to the theatrical arts. The group comes to town on a Monday and in only a short week, it casts, rehearses and performs an hour-long musical show where the local kids play all the characters.

It is incredible to watch how these two talented directors can teach 50-60 kids an entire show with music, dancing and everything else. More importantly, it is incredible to watch these kids gain confidence and self-esteem as they memorize lines, songs and dances. I have personally seen what an impact it can have on their lives.

PAC has been bringing this organization to Pahrump for many years, sometimes even two shows a year, and has always received a grant from the town of Pahrump to fund the nearly $3,000 fee for the residency.

This year, however, because of changes in the town's procedures, we were required to go before the tourism advisory board to get approval for this grant. This program has nothing to do with tourism and everything to do with supporting the children of our community; but we followed the guidelines we were given and submitted our request.

After pleading our case with the board, we were denied the grant because it felt this project did not bring enough tourists to our community, it was too much money to bring someone in from out of state and we could find local talent to provide the same experience.

This experience would not happen if Missoula Children's Theatre did not come and provide it. We have already explored other options and there is no option.

I feel the town has made a huge mistake in denying this funding and eliminating the opportunity for the youth of this community to develop their talents and experiences. I am saddened to know that I live in a community where this type of educational experience in the arts is obviously not supported by those who have the power to influence these opportunities.

We are now faced with the real possibility of canceling the residency we have already booked for the week of March 9 and disappointing a large number of kids and families who have come to rely on MCT and PAC to give them an outlet for performance. If anyone else is as disappointed as I am, please step up to the plate and let your town board members know where you stand.

If you have any further questions or desire to help on a private level, please contact the Pahrump Arts Council at 775-751-6776.

ALLISON SALMON

MCT Committee Chairman

Don't play with fire

This letter is to everyone who has an interest in fire.

Fire is not fun.

Fire is uncontrollable and seeks to do nothing but destroy. So playing with fire is not fun.

Firefighters such as Chris or Alan put their lives on the line every day in order to keep you safe.

Try telling their families how sorry you are if one of them dies in a fire you started. To those brave firefighters, we dedicate this poem to you:

"I have no ambition in this world but one, and that is to be a firefighter, the position may, in the eyes of some, appear to be a lowly one.

But those who know the work, which a firefighter has to do, mine is a noble calling, my proudest moment is to save lives.

Under the impulse of such thoughts the nobility of the occupation thrills and stimulates me to do deeds of daring, even of supreme sacrifice."

To everyone who has taken the time to read this letter, we hope you will take a second thought before you choose to play with fire.

BRITTANI STUMNE, 15

KRISTA STUMNE, 11

DONOVAN STUMNE, 9