Do we really want to step backward?

In my opinion, the (June 6 town board) meeting was well run and much better than the earlier confusions back in '93 to '95.

Immediately after item 1, item 2, D&D on moving the order of, or deleting an agenda item was quickly discussed, and item 10, discussion and possible decision to terminate the employment of the Pahrump Town Manager, Mr. William Kohbarger, without cause. (Action), was pulled.

I was unmoved by this action as I support Mr. Kohbarger and believe he deserved a better grade than C plus.

However, the action displeased a number of the CCSC attendees and after a bit of grumbling the meeting proceeded in a more or less orderly fashion.

Without going into great detail, the meeting proceeded to item 20, public comment. Here some of the people supported Mr. Kohbarger, while the CCSC really earned the sobriquet of Churlish Chelonians for a Sore Community.

The CCSC would like the town of Pahrump to shoot itself in the foot again and waste the time and money to get another manager. Remember the years before Dave Richards? Some lasted less than a year.

ARTHUR J. SOLIE

Billy Mays was a hero to capitalism

I'm so saddened by the untimely and tragic death of the man in the trademark blue shirt, Billy Mays.

Love him or not, Billy Mays epitomized what it means to be an American. Or at least what it once meant.

Rising from nothing to a wealthy, self-made man, he used pure grit, hard work and entrepreneurial fortitude.

At a time when "wealth" is a bad word, Billy Mays was never ashamed of making money the old-fashioned way.

Most people would see his commercials and wouldn't give them a second thought. Many would probably even flip the channel to avoid his pitch altogether. His voice was a bit abrasive and sometimes annoying, but if you stopped for a moment to see what was actually going on, you might see why Billy Mays was one of my heroes of capitalism, and why I quietly admired him, his message, and what he stood for.

Watching Billy in action was inspiring to me as a conservative and advocate of the free market. He was a dedicated family man with a purpose in life and a drive to succeed.

Never forgetting his modest roots, he was also very generous with his self-made fortune, helping many friends and charitable causes along the way.

Billy would travel the country, seeking out ingenious new ideas and then, using purely capitalistic tools, he would do all the necessary market research on whatever product he chose to promote.

When he was completely confident he had a winning product, he would focus all of his energy and money-making instincts into making that the most important product on the planet. He would then bring his staff together for the production of commercials and infomercials and sell the living hell out of it. What a great capitalist.

He had a tried and proven method, and he would do it over and over and over again. Making millions of beautiful, wonderful American dollars in the process. He loved doing it and I loved watching him. It was truly inspiring to me.

Billy Mays was responsible for making millionaires out of many ingenious American inventors using his raw talent, hard work, long hours away from his family and capitalistic instincts. He was the essence of what it means to work hard and make it in this beautiful republic of the United States of America.

Yes, American capitalism lost one of it's most visible heroes this week, and I will truly miss him. A rising star taken from us at a time when his capitalistic spirit was most needed by all of us. Billy Mays was truly an inspiration to me.

He was one of a dying breed and my prayers go out to Billy and his family. Rest in Peace, Billy Mays.

We loved you.

BRIAN K. SHOEMAKE

DeMeo deserves thanks for forums

I would like to take a moment and thank Sheriff Tony DeMeo for holding forums at Wulfy's.

They are very informative, and the community should take the time to go to these forums and spend a little time getting to know exactly what our sheriff and deputies do and what projects are in process, especially how our current 9-1-1 calls are being handled and what is planned for the future.

Everything I learned there was an eye opener. He spoke about ID theft and how to protect yourself, what we can do to support them, drug problems and even the sale of prescription drugs. He talked about his deputies, their dogs and his pride in the people he has working for us.

Tony DeMeo had been looking to the future before its time, which now is a very important role based on the growing needs of this town. I was impressed with his outlook and intelligence about the work that is being done and still needs to be done to keep our town safe and up to date with other law enforcement agencies. He showed me he is a very important asset for our town.

My last letter to the editor asked about being released on own recognizance and I was surprised to learn that while no exact figures are known, there are a great many warrants issued for non-appearances. We need to watch those judges who do this too often.

One other question I asked at the forum would be better directed to our district attorney -- what percentage of cases are not filed in relationship to arrests made? And what is the percentage of convictions to arrests made?

It was a question our sheriff could not answer as his job is to make good arrests. It is the job of our attorney to file and try the cases. I would certainly like to hear from that office as to the percentages.

I want our Nye County judicial system personnel we vote into office to note I will be watching all of you to see how your reports fare so when election time comes around, I will be looking at your records and make my decisions accordingly.

JUDIE JOHNSON

This isn't 1955 anymore

Congratulations to Stephanie Lopez for exercising her right to publicly express her opinion in support of Town Manager Bill Kohbarger at the June 23 town board meeting.

With courage, dignity and grace she held her own against the senseless ramblings of the whacko group CCSC representative Donna Cox and the hateful, vulgar attack by Sandy Darby (a town board member's wife, no less; Ms. Darby should take a lesson in decorum from Ms. Lopez).

There are some 38,000 residents here who desperately need services, jobs and some modicum of progress. This isn't 1955 anymore -- Pahrump isn't the same and never will be again.

It has grown and with growth comes progress. Consequently, the likes of Bill Kohbarger provides the vision and expertise to fulfill the needs of all Pahrumpians in just the right dosage.

And while I'm at it, let's get real, folks, Pahrump will never be another Las Vegas. Other cities have tried and failed. There is, and always will be, only one Las Vegas. So quit using the excuse that progress must be impeded or Pahrump will become the next Las Vegas.

Let me repeat -- it's never going to happen.

That all being said, Ms. Lopez's commendable efforts should stand as a call to action to the majority of Pahrump residents who have grown weary of the ongoing intimidation tactics of these self-serving, small-minded blowhards.

If this brave young woman can do it, so can the rest of us.

SANDY MARTINEZ

'Recalls R Us' a concern

Let's get rid of someone in governmental position.

Just to be up front, I now live out of state; my wife and I own land and a house in Pahrump and plan to retire there soon.

Over the years I've read the PVT and the Mirror, which is where I get 60 percent of my info, the rest is from neighbors and friends that live in Pahrump now.

With that said, I have to ask -- why does it seem like each time a person in a leadership role upsets a small percentage of the population it goes to a recall?

Aren't any of these people allowed to make a mistake? This question goes to the town council and county commissioners. On the local front, I'm sure the town manager is an "at will" employee. He received a "C" during his evaluation.

I'm trying to figure out, if the town council didn't have issues, why are the select members of the town so upset? Do the "recall/let's lynch everyone" groups see and know the interworkings of his job and responsibilities? If they do, there are other issues that need to be addressed.

I don't know many of the details as to why certain people want him gone, but I smell something fishy concerning this whole matter.

Did he steal money? Did he lose money for the town? Did he abuse his position? I don't know if any of these items happened, but if this is centering around the "trash ordinance," then I'm really confused. An article I read said this was a carryover item. Depending if he did any wordsmithing, people might have a gripe, but the town council has the ultimate say -- it seems to me that he was just the messenger.

Not knowing how some of the people are intertwined, it's hard for me to tell the different players. I do know from other situations in the past (be it the town or county), when articles come out, normally after the fact, I recognize names that should have rung some bells early on. This is from someone who gets most of my info from the papers.

It seems to me the local population could figure this out with a few question, such as who started the recall and why, and do they have a person in mind/agenda?

This could calm down some of those time-consuming and potentially costly recalls before they start.

One last comment: "Recalls R Us" -- the name alone should concern people.

DOUG BLACKSTOCK

Del Mar, Calif.

We'll spend our money elsewhere

My husband and I have been travelling to Pahrump for your 4th of July fireworks show for the last 15 years, bringing our big fat California tourist dollars with us.

We have always chosen your town for this celebration because you consistently present the most enjoyable event we have ever attended.

Over the years we have encouraged friends from both Southern California and Las Vegas to join us, and it has grown into a tradition for a group of us. While visiting we always manage to spend money at your local shops, restaurants and, of course, casinos.

We are so disappointed this year to find that we will be unable to attend. Friday is a work day for us, and there is simply no way we can be in Pahrump on Friday night for the show.

It seems so ironic that in the past you have come under fire for moving the celebration from the actual 4th to the nearest Saturday so that more people could attend (a laudible decision, in my opinion) but this year you are moving from the 4th to a date when less people will be able to attend.

I see the Pahrump Nugget will have a fireworks show on Saturday night. I don't think you have to be a genius to put that 2+2 together. You have allowed their money and power to undermine your wonderful public event in favor of their selfish commercial interest. You have sold our most treasured American holiday, Independence Day.

It's a terrible shame.

For the record, we attended both shows last year (as a matter of fact, we also went out to Terrible's Lakeside for their show too.) But for this year, 15 minutes in the Nugget parking lot for a very disappointing display is simply not worth the drive for us. This year we will just have to spend our money elsewhere.

LORRIE SANDERS

Whittier, Calif.

A call to action

One can see the financial crisis is continuing and will be worse. Government has filled the banks' pockets and has just increased the powers of the Federal Reserve -- which was responsible for much of the causes of our mess.

We have sat back and let the banks lobby, wine and dine Congress to get legislation passed so the money institutions could create this mess.

From 1913 on, Congress gave its responsibility of creating and managing money to a non-government institution called the Federal Reserve -- but it is not part of our federal government.

It is owned and managed by a cabal of banking elites who have managed the ups and downs of our economy, and now are managing the demise of the United States.

Our national debt is ballooning. (We are told it is OK to have debt.) It is sky-rocketing from about $11,000,000,000,000 (trillion) today with an interest payment of $26 billion per month owed.

Think how much of our needs could be covered and paid for with $26 billion a month.

Our trade deficit keeps going up and up -- with all our wealth creation in value -- added manufacturing going abroad -- for lower wages, less regulations and higher profits for the corporations who have no more allegiance to America or to American workers.

The companies reap the benefits and are protected against losses by taxpayer monies.

How is it government gets away with spending money it doesn't have, creating Ponzi schemes in Social Security and Medicare, and borrowing money from the Federal Reserve, which prints Fiat money and creates money out of debt.

The Federal Reserve is our biggest cause of ruinous economy and should not be given more powers as just done. It should be abolished.

As a starter, we cannot sit back and watch any more. Concerned Citizens for a Safe Community (CCSC) is helping us to be vocal citizens.

It is time to be vocal and call our congressmen and push for support for HR 1207, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009.

This act call for opening their books and mandates the first ever audit of the Federal Reserve. We need to see how the "money men on the temple steps" charge taxpayers for their profits.

KATREEN ROMANOFF

In support of commissioners

I support the county commissioners' motion to deny a disbursement to the Nye County School District from the Education Endowment Fund principal.

I understand there is considerable pressure from the school district and individuals to release EEF principal funds for textbooks, software and possibly teacher salaries. I believe it would be inappropriate and short-sighted to do so, even (or especially) as a loan. It goes without saying that to exploit the endowment principal would diminish and potentially exhaust funding for future generations. Just because it's there doesn't mean it should be used.

The school district needs to do the hard work of balancing the budget, scrutinizing expenses, looking for assets that are idle or underutilized and liquidating them, and thinking creatively instead of grabbing for "low hanging fruit" which is not only an inadequate short-term solution but would in fact compromise the future productivity of the EEF.

As a citizen who has lost one job to the stumbling economy and has another job hanging by a thread, I empathize with teachers or anyone who has been laid off. Tightening belts and adapting has become a national pastime.

However, as an educator traveling the country, I see combined grade levels and overcrowding everywhere I go and I can't actually say it's all bad. In combined grades, the older students mentor younger students. In such schools, there is a palpable sense of community and harmony. Overcrowding is not a situation unique to Nye or even Nevada, and it will not be resolved with part of a $1.8 million cash infusion from a finite asset designed to support, not wholly subsidize, education.

I understand why education must remain a priority, but it is tough all over. As a point of interest, Nye County School District is spending on average approximately what the other Nevada counties (with the exception of Eureka County) are spending per student. Concerned citizens should familiarize themselves with the information at www.nvasb.org/Publications/Legislative_links/Legislative_Links_%205_13_09 and encourage the school administration to act immediately on the relief available via the Assembly bills.

Nye County taxpayers may also be interested to know that while the school district spends over $9,000 annually for each of its 6,069 students, a mere $791 is spent on each of Nye County's approximately 48,000 residents for services and infrastructure items ranging literally from A-Z. In looking at those numbers, I have a hard time with the concept of compromising the EEF principal which was designed to last for generations via the distribution of significant ($300,000) interest-only payments to the school district.

I support education. Of course I do. In fact, I hold a K-12 teaching degree. However, I believe in vision, planning and accountability, which includes providing for future students as well as today's students.

REBECCA ELKINS