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Hoe Down thanks

The Pahrump Community Action Team together with the NV Country Music Association, Nye County Chapter, would like to extend a Hoe Down Thank You to John and Damon Shea of Joe's Sanitation for supplying us with the Porta-Potties at our second annual Hoe Down.

Thanks for watching our butts!

CHARLIE BENFANTE

Vice-president, PVCAT

Response to Berg letter

I wholeheartedly agree with Ms. Berg's point of view.

The children who attend Nye County schools are "the future" of the county, the state, and the nation. The Educational Endowment Fund was set aside for "the future." How then can a loan from that fund, intended to help support the education of these children, be denied? What better support can our children have than useful and current textbooks and access to appropriate technology in their classrooms?

I agree that history doesn't change -- neither does math. However, research consistently shows teachers new and innovative ways of delivering the information to the students. One of the most successful delivery methods is the student's access to computer-based programs, which reach the child at the level where they are and move them farther ahead.

The Renaissance programs mentioned by Dr. Roberts are only one of the tools I use in my classroom. At the beginning of the school year, I have each child in my class take the Renaissance STAR Reading and Math tests. I can usually get all of my students tested in the first two weeks of school.

I use other tools as well, including paper and pencil math tests, a sight word spelling test and an individual reading evaluation. By the time my class is scheduled for the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) computer-based testing, I already know what each child knows and have begun to address their individual educational needs.

It has been truly said that a child who reads succeeds.

To motivate my students to read, I again use the Renaissance programs. My students read a book three times, than take a computer-based accelerated reading test on that book. If they achieve 100 percent on the test, they may claim a rod pretzel or a pickle spear from me at recess time.

I use the Renaissance program, Accelerated Math, to reinforce math concepts I teach the whole class. The program requires that students "bubble" their answers on an answer sheet which can be scanned by a computer accessory. This gives them practice in filling out answer sheets for the standardized tests they will take in subsequent grades. More importantly, I have immediate feedback on which children understand the concept I taught and which children need to be re-taught.

The Renaissance programs also include English in a Flash, which my English language learners use to help them improve their vocabulary and pronunciation in English. There is Math Facts in a Flash as well, which gives students practice in basic math facts.

Renaissance, and NWEA, along with Head Sprout, the Academy of Learning, and Classworks are all highly effective Internet/computer-based programs which help students reach the lofty goals of No Child Left Behind (NCLB).

Seriously, how can a loan from a fund set aside for education, which would enable the school district to fund these computer programs, be denied because the money was set aside for the "future"? The future is now.

The county commission needs to reconsider its decision.

JUDITH LISTER

Second-grade teacher

Manse Elementary School

More on the way

Help.

We need some help. We have 13 feral cats, at least seven kittens, and we are sure more will come.

A few months ago we called Animal Control. We were told we would be put on at least a two-month waiting list for on trap. (Thanks.)

The problem with trapping them and taking them to the animal shelter is they will put them down, and we do not want that.

We are spending a good bit of money to feed all 13. We cannot afford any more, but we have more coming.

Any help, comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

BILL AND MILLIE BURGESS

Make playground summer friendly

Everyday, on my way to work, I pass Honeysuckle Park and think how nice it would be for the children of Pahrump to be able to use the children's playground in the summer months.

I would hope the county commissioners would consider building a roof over the slides and swings, perhaps using some of the so-called "study" money to make the playground more accessible during the hot summer months.

A caring senior,

ROSE MCKIE

Permits for multiple pets

Most people in Pahrump are not aware that Animal Control and the Animal Advisory Committee are seeking to implement new permit requirements for multiple dog and cat owners.

Anybody owning more than five cats or dogs would be required to apply for a permit at the annual cost of $60 and would be subject to annual inspections of the home/property to get the permit. This permit will only be good for that specific location. If the pet owners move to another place, they would have to apply for a new permit at the new home.

If you currently own just three pets and a friend or family member who lost a job or their home wants to move in with you and they also have three pets, you will need to get a permit.

The pet limit is per property, not per person.

Nevada Revised Statutes defines a kennel as more than 10 unaltered dogs or cats older than 6 months, requiring a kennel license. Now that's more reasonable than to charge everybody who has more than five cats or dogs.

There are no exceptions for somebody who has taken in a few strays, does rescue, has indoor cats or simply enjoys having multiple pets.

I moved to Pahrump to have some acreage and more animals. Why is it that I should need a permit to have six dogs or cats, when somebody else who has 10 goats or six donkeys can do that without getting a permit on the same size property?

Why should I be subject for Animal Control to come on my property to check if my dogs are being fed and that my water bowls are clean and filled with fresh water based on an arbitrarily chosen pet limit? Those of us who have their dogs properly licensed will be easy targets, and we are the least likely ones to neglect our animals.

Do we really want our Animal Control Officers to waste their time inspecting pet owners' homes who are already compliant with licensing their pets and who apply for a license? How would you feel if a stray dog is attacking you, your child or your chickens and Animal Control is tied up inspecting a pet owner with six pets to make sure they have clean water bowls?

By law, animals are personal property just like a car. How would you feel if somebody would tell you that if your family wants to own six cars, you need to get a permit and the police will come to your property and determine if it is OK for your family to own all those cars at this address.

The draft is worded rather vaguely and says it will be at the discretion of the animal control officer to issue such a permit.

Now, I believe our current staff at Animal Control are all good guys, and I would not worry that they would be very reasonable about issuing such a permit. However, things can change. What if the good guys are being replaced with people who like to abuse their power and who enjoy making people miserable?

Do we as pet owners in Pahrump and surrounding areas really want such an ordinance so if we have more than five cats or dogs, we now would have to worry about every year if somebody will grant us a permit or not?

I think Animal Control can do more good by addressing actual problems in our community such as dogs at large or animals being neglected instead of inspecting pet owner's homes who haven't done anything wrong.

Please go to www. nyecounty.net and look for the Animal Advisory Committee, please phone or e-mail the committee members if you do not want pet limits and permits to keep multiple pets. Attend the meetings for the Animal Advisory Board and make your opinions known.

There is an opportunity for public comment at the beginning of each meeting and you can also request for an item to be put on a future agenda.

MARLENE JOHNSON