Relay for Life says thank you

On behalf of the entire Relay for Life of Pahrump Committee, "thank you" to everyone who made the kick-off a successful event!

Thank you to all of the performers, everyone who participated in the various ceremonies, the press for their support of our mission, all of the teams, survivors, caregivers, and businesses who donated their time and other items.

We would also like to extend a special thanks to Lori Dollar and the Pahrump Nugget for their gracious hospitality and for doing a wonderful job decorating the event center!

Thank you.

CASSANDRA SELBACH

Publicity Chair

I'll not interfere for Hendrickson

I note that Ms. Hendrickson is up to her anti-gun shenanigans again and so another rebuttal is in order.

When I read that Ms. Hendrickson considers herself to be "educated," I thought the letter must have been a parody written by someone else. How can she claim to be educated when her first letter had every single "fact" wrong? Hendrickson may think she's educated, but when it comes to personal defense or the right to keep and bear arms she is as ignorant as the day is long.

Concerning her contention that dogs are better protection than a gun, dogs (no matter how well trained) cannot think or reason and therefore provide no serious deterrent to a determined assailant. I can easily think of four or five proven methods of removing her dogs from the picture. A little training, a bit of intelligence and a dash of creativity can easily remove any "protection" dogs.

I led a specialized team of officers during the L.A. riots. I repeatedly saw armed storeowners successfully protecting their property from looters. If the armed drugstore owner mentioned by Hendrickson was swarmed by rioters, it is obvious he did not have the will to use his gun. Had he actually shot one of the approaching rioters, the rest would have fled in terror.

I can personally attest to the fact that one man standing up to rioters with a gun does work.

I loved Hendrickson's characterization of the gun-carrying customer leaving the grocery store. She sets the scene up by casting her fictitious customer as an inattentive moron and then offers that as proof that carrying a gun will save no one. I invite Ms. Hendrickson to come out to Front Sight and learn what "condition yellow" is. I'll even pay for her course myself!

Hendrickson offers "friendly fire" in combat, and the possibility that someone might miss his/her intended target, as "proof" that people shouldn't have guns. By that childish logic no one should be able to own a car because sooner or later someone will have an accident and injure or kill another. Neither can kitchen knives be allowed in the home because a child might fall on one. Of course Hendrickson is OK with cars and kitchen knives -- even though they can hurt people -- because she believes they have a "legitimate purpose," while guns do not.

As I said in my first response to Hendrickson, her position is pre-disposed. In her mind "guns are bad," and she has no problem spewing any falsehood she can think of if it will support her fear-driven agenda.

I must admit to being floored by Hendrickson representation that gun owners are "emotional" about their guns while she is the very picture of logic and rational thought. I can only imagine she must also believe storks bring babies and other such fantasies.

Gun owners believe predominantly in two things: the right of self-defense and the ability to check the actions of an out-of-control government -- by force of arms if necessary. The former has been held by every rational person in history as a "natural right," or what the Declaration of Independence calls an "unalienable right." The latter is one of the several reasons the 2nd Amendment is in the Bill of Rights.

I understand and accept that Ms. Hendrickson hates and fears her fellow man and that is why she is terrified of him owning and carrying firearms. What I do not accept -- from her or anyone else, including government -- is the proposition that her fear and hatred should diminish my unalienable rights one iota.

I would appreciate it if Hendrickson would submit a picture of herself for publication here. She says that she does not want any of us "gun owners" around her. Wonderful -- I accept. Should I ever see Hendrickson being violently attacked, I want to respect her views. My pistol and all my professional abilities will feel compelled to leave immediately because I believe she deserves to reap the consequences of her principles.

And I was not joking about paying for Ms. Hendrickson to attend Front Sight -- if she has the courage to prove herself wrong.

DAVE CHAMPION

Enjoy your time

Approximately 200 residents attended the town board meeting of March 10. A great majority, if not all, spoke against the proposed garbage disposal issue.

In my opinion, the conduct of four of the town board members as well as the Pahrump town manager completely ignored the wishes of the people whom they are supposed to represent.

The chairperson appeared to be completely unable to deal with the meeting as she would look to the town manager for approval as to what to do.

After the many residents gave their disapproval, the town board voted 4-1 to approve the disputed issue. The one board member voting against the approval was Mike Darby, who was voting as a board member who listened to the people whom he represents.

The other four board members completely ignored the wishes of the people of Pahrump, as is the case most of the time.

Some members of the Nye County Sheriff's Office were in attendance and added to the atmosphere of the evening.

In my opinion the Pahrump town manager is the most arrogant individual I have ever encountered to be in such a responsible position and should be given a "Carlin greeting," which is defined as being fired and told to leave Pahrump as he reportedly was given in Carlin.

In order to not be partial, the four town board members who voted to approve the garbage issue should be recalled immediately for disregarding the wishes of the people of Pahrump.

Enjoy it as it is not going to last very much longer.

A concerned 57-year resident of Nevada.

BILL DAWSON

PVT article 'Board vs. residents'

I read this front page article and reacted initially with shock followed by disbelief and finally anger.

If I could sum up the action of the majority of the town board, it would be "politically initiated legalized extortion."

After reading the Pahrump Valley Times description of how the trash disposal ordinance was handled I can understand the frustration and feelings of betrayal that Pahrump citizens are experiencing. Why is it that when some people take on the responsibility of representing and serving the citizens who elected them, they arrogantly discard that obligation and proceed to mandate their decisions with a dictator-like attitude?

So there is no misunderstanding, please do not let this one particular action divert your attention from the overall systematical attack on your rights to so many other things that we have all seen threatened.

Not long ago well owners were told the well you paid for should be capped and replaced by a common utility. Your septic system, which you paid for, should also be replaced by an all-inclusive sewer system, and there is a constant effort to take firearms away from law-abiding citizens or limit their accessibility through legal bureaucracy.

To the politicians now misusing their newfound power, the people of Pahrump are not so gullible as to think this new regulation comes from simple poor judgement or lack of leadership skills. When you consider the control and financial opportunities that come with this mandate, there is little doubt that some mutual benefits have been exchanged between the parties involved.

Since I was unable to see any clear-cut advantages, both currently and in the future, coming out of this ordinance, let me offer a few more than likely problems it will present.

If receipts become necessary, it will add cost to the dump operating expenses; enforcement will take away from much more serious infractions and no doubt produce a good number of citizen disputes; people who conserve and produce less trash will be targeted; people who recycle, and so take less to the landfill, will find that action self-defeating; when there's not enough to go to the dump and the required trips will waste time and fuel. But most of all the very worst thing that comes out of this new ruling is more government control in areas of our lives they do not belong.

We have roads needing repair, crime and drug problems endangering our citizens and a constant need to have adequate health and fire services in Pahrump. That is what local government should concern themselves with, not this silly trash ordinance.

Pay attention, people. What's really going to the dump are your rights and liberty.

JOE GIANGRANDE

Where's the recall petition?

Billing people for garbage pickup service they did not order, want or need -- that's right out of the Mafia playbook.

Why aren't the commissioners being charged with felony extortion?

If they try to enforce the ordinance they will see civil disobedience on an epic scale and face a recall movement from townspeople with torches and ropes.

Although extortion is illegal, taxes aren't. So, announce that everyone is going to get free garbage pickup and then add the cost to their property tax bill as "municipal sanitation service charge." That way commissioners can avoid being recalled.

They will be tarred and feathered and run out of town on a rail instead.

What are these people thinking?

DAVID G. ALEXANDER

Good question

To all senior citizens: Please wake up. You must realize the federal government, state government, county government or the town council care one whit about us.

Many of the seniors here have only a small amount of Social Security to live on. Checks arrive on the third of each month.

Utilities Inc. thinks nothing of making the payment due on the second of the month so they can collect a late charge from those of us who have a very tight budget and cannot carry enough money over to take care of bills due n the date listed.

They will not even give a five-day grace period as do most legitimate businesses.

It would be nice if they would make their due date the fourth or fifth of each month. This would help many seniors in this valley.

If one has a credit card with the funds to pay the bill, there is a $10 fee for use of the card. So either way, you lose.

Of course when I brought this subject up to Utilities Inc. several months ago, I was told they could not change due dates. They really like getting the late fees as that is more money in their coffers to spend as they see fit and not have to account for.

Then there is the trash pickup item everyone had a lot to say about at the town meeting. Did the powers that be listen? No, they did not, and they passed the ordinance anyway.

Well, folks, there is an election coming up and it is time to make your voices heard. There is only one man to keep on the board as he is the only one who thought of the people here in Pahrump.

The way ordinance 43 was passed, it makes one wonder who was getting a payoff. Good question.

D. LEE BROWN

The art of compromise

Why is it some people are never happy unless they can make someone else's life miserable?

Donald Quinn seems to have gone out of his way to make a neighbor miserable by suing to have horses removed from their yard.

Now I have no great love of horses, but even I recognize the fact that to many people horses are much a family pet as any dog or cat.

Mr. Quinn maintains the CCRs of Calvada Valley do not allow for horses. However, it's my understanding the CCRs were never recorded. Even Judge Lane once ruled that CCRs not recorded at the time of transfer of property can't be held against the new property owners.

The family in question, the Maples, apparently bought the property in good faith as a horse property, and if the real estate agents involved with the sale sold it as such, can the blame really be placed upon the Maples?

All you've done, Mr. Quinn, judging by the photo in the paper, is make an 11-year-old child, who obviously loves her horse, very upset.

You seem to have forgotten that living with neighbors, like politics, is the art of compromise. Instead of approaching your neighbors in a reasonable manner, perhaps with a copy of the CCRs in your hand and discussing calmly the issues, you marched up to the Maples' home with all the swagger of the typical neighborhood bully and threatened legal action on the spot.

How immature.

And you don't want to stop your suits at just your neighbors -- you want to sue the whole town, which is either pure silliness or shear arrogance on your part.

JAMES MONTEITH

Empty promises

This is in response to the March 6 letter by Nevada U.S. Sen. John Ensign titled "Ensign recognizes PFC Jon Witney":

Sen. Ensign praises U.S soldier's heroic efforts in Germany and thanks his mom for bringing up such a fine man. He writes, "This nation continues to be the beacon of freedom and hope" and "Please do not hesitate to contact my office if we can ever be of assistance."

I sure hope Ensign means it this time, as in my experience his words are just empty promises.

In 2003, this senator co-sponsored and heavily supported a federal bill "Captive Wildlife safety Act" that prevents people like me, private, non-commercial owner of exotic cats, to ever cross state lines and take my animals with me to another state, not even in the case of medical or natural disaster emergency.

I would have to leave my beloved pets behind; if I don't, I am committing a felony.

Is this the freedom he is talking about? Our freedom to choose what kind of pet to keep, love and protect? Be a felon if I want to save my animals in an emergency situation?

If I ever want to move, I have to get rid of my pets or commit a felony, thanks to Ensign.

I met a soldier; he's a pet reptile owner, and he was very angry coming home from Iraq, fighting for other people's freedoms and risking his life, to come home to the USA and be told what animals he can or can't own.

In fact, my fiancé Scott Shoemaker is a former soldier, and it is hard for him to comprehend that while U.S. soldiers are losing lives and limbs in the wars protecting other people's freedoms, our own government at home is busy taking away the freedoms of its own citizens away every day.

Actually, there is another bill in the U.S. House and Senate, "Captive Primate Safety Act," which would add monkeys to the list of animals that cannot be transported across state lines. Sen. Ensign already signed as a co-sponsor for this one, too. The only difference between the big cat and monkey versions is that monkey owners would be allowed to take their pets across the state lines for medical treatment. The interesting thing is, humans are primates, too. Monkeys and apes are called non-human primates.

Both times, in 2003 and now, I tried to schedule a local meeting with Sen. Ensign, hoping to educate him and change his mind to represent the freedom-loving people of Nevada. Both times I failed to get a response or meeting.

Why should I take his promises to others seriously? Why is our senator wasting time and taxpayers' money supporting monkey bills in these times of economic crisis? Are 10-pound pet monkeys really a national threat in his eyes?

Besides, why is the federal government banning non-commercial activity, such as transporting personal pets, which are property under the U.S. Constitution?

ZUZANA KUKOL

President , Responsible Exotic Animal Ownership

A forgotten war

The past six years we've seen and heard so much on the war in Iraq. It is a war and lives are lost no matter your race, gender or political party -- about 4,300 hundred lives have been lost.

Not dismissing one life, what about the 15,000-plus children in the U.S.A. who died of cancer? Did you know of them, did you see the same media space to the war on children's cancer in the U.S.A.?

No, it's not there.

Few want to know of the deaths daily in the U.S.A. of children -- children who never even grew to be in school, attend proms and other events we take for granted as teens.

No one life is more important to another until it's your child. Yet, please let us not forget the children today fighting for life in the U.S.A. to cancer, a war they did not enlist in. Let's keep all these little "Earth Angels" in our thoughts and prayers as we keep all our troops in our hearts as well.

BARB JOHNSTON

Too much time on his hands

Donald Quinn is a perfect example of the neighbor no one wants as a neighbor. He is the neighborhood tyrant with too much time on his hands.

Mr. Quinn has decided to enforce rules he likes without regard for the reality. The judge who backed him up is an idiot. If the CCRs were never recorded, they cannot be enforced, especially as there is no elected HOA board of directors, no meetings, no representation.

Mr. Quinn's statement that he only wants to control what happens on his street makes the issue even crazier -- as the courts and HOA ombudsman would point out, you cannot selectively enforce rules. So either no horses are allowed in any section of Calvada or they must be allowed in all of Calvada where there is adequate acreage and care as required by zoning and recorded laws.

If the Maples' can afford to hire a lawyer, they should aim for an appeal based on the fact that there no active HOA, no board, no meetings, no dues, no representation, no recorded CCRs -- in other words, an appeal based on Mr. Quinn's violation of their constitutional rights.

I would be willing to bet Mr. Quinn is one of those men who runs around demanding that our government is trampling his rights and not representing him -- but isn't that what Mr. Quinn is doing to his neighbors?

What a selfish, self-centered man.

BELINDA HENDRICKSON

Should have been put to rest

I am truly sorry this issue is still alive today because it should have been put to rest years ago.

The fact is no CCRs exist in Calvada Units 1, 2, 3, 4a, 4b, 5, 6, 7, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10 or 11. They never did. The only thing recorded against these lots was the deed of restrictions, and these did not designate land use.

It is almost laughable that a colored map without a document number (never recorded) that clearly reflects an equestrian trail to the east of Red Rock Drive and spidering throughout Calvada Valley 8b, 5, 4a and so on, with all the 1.1-acre properties clearly designated as ranchettes on the map could some how prohibit ownership of horses.

Judge Lane needs to show the findings of fact necessary to find in favor of Mr. Quinn. Has anyone actually seen and read the "CCRs" he is quoted to possess? He can't, because they don't exist. Covenants, the agreement between owners, and conditions, the part that specifies land use, were never even developed, much less recorded.

I wish I had time to go into my archives and find the copies of the lawsuit filed against PEC in 1992 that was dismissed because PEC stated no CCRs were recorded.

There is also a Judge Lane decision in January 2005 that should be referenced as a precedent.

Good luck.

ROBERT A. LITTLE

Lifetime of accomplishments

Bob Swadell did not make it to his 78th birthday. His health complications brought his life to an end March 15, 2009. His legacy serves him well. He left a lifetime of accomplishments that have etched his legacy into the hearts and minds of many.

Pahrump community leaders and those who knew him best agree that Bob had leadership skills that set him apart from others.

To them, he was not just a leader among leaders but a leader of leaders. Others saw him as a caring individual always giving his time and resources to those in need. His caring and giving attitude came from family roots, a mother and father whom he spoke highly of, encouraging him to always appreciate what he had and always be willing to give back to those less fortunate.

Yes, he was a story teller and upon occasion he would repeat a story or two. To the listener, Bob's stories, many quite factually taken from his outstanding military career, were lessons for life. His lesson-laden stories dealt with challenging situations.

Sometimes he told them with a bit of humor with a wry smile, but upon occasion with a more serious tone and stoic face. Each story ended in success and each story gave the listener a hint on how to deal effectively and fairly with people and organizations.

As in his stories, and during his final days and hours on earth, he showed his concern and interest in others by assisting them anyway he could. And, quietly, he recognized their good deeds and hard work. His mentorship will be missed by all the lives he touched and shaped.

While gravely ill, he apologized for not having the physical strength to finish a work in progress; a project near and dear to his heart that would benefit Pahrump and all of Nye County.

He referred to his quest to bring a full-service college campus to Pahrump as his unfinished agenda. His political will resulted in Great Basin College opening a branch campus in Pahrump. For Great Basin College, he put together an advisory board with the primary mission to see this campus project from start to finish.

Bob was instrumental in seeking out 280 acres of BLM land south of Highway 160 for a future campus.

And, he was equally successful in his effort to bring the 280 acres into a Southern Nevada Land Bill, sponsored by Sen. Harry Reid. Once this land bill is approved, the land will revert from BLM to Great Basin College. This will happen.

The unfinished agenda is the infrastructure of roads, sewer and water, followed with the first campus facility. Bob's vision and the college's advisory board vision are very much in sync with Sen. Reid's: Establish a research and technical education center for renewable energy at the GBC Pahrump Campus.

It is our pledge to you, Bob, that we will continue this project and see it to a successful end. Like the moral of your stories, we will work hard and make you proud. And, yes, we will do our best to take care of Mary. Rest in peace, dear friend.

MIKE COSGROVE

Chairman, Great Basin College Advisory Board, Pahrump Campus

Our Library

For a small town, "our" library is awesome.

What if we didn't have one? I think a small fee for a library card for all users would be a great idea.

The librarians and employees are so helpful and go beyond their duties to help. The library is a great resource for our community. Kudos to you, our Pahrump library. We are glad you are here.

JIM & LUCY SCHALLER

Prediction of things to come

Here is a prediction of what is going to happen from Washington D.C.

California has raised taxes to meet its budget. Unemployment (10 percent) has gone up so more taxes from those who are working will be fair to cover the added expense of government. Now there will come more unemployment and more taxes. It is a vicious Zen-like (stupid) circle.

What does that mean?

With fewer people working, the politicians who don't give a damn about you raise the taxes on the fewer citizens who are working.

The only thing lower than a politician is a pig in mud, but politicians are getting there fast.

Note while our living-style is lowering, the politicians hold true to that great historical line (misquoted out of context), "Let them eat cake." Great. I prefer the pig context. Let us eat slop while they eat lobster and filet mignon surf and turf with all the fixin's. When did you afford yours last?

One lawyer-senator I know about went into his office over 15 years ago worth about $1.7 million. Today his net worth is in the double digit millions. And all earned on the job?

The job doesn't pay that much for him to have saved it. Was he busy working for our benefit or his? You answer:

Did your net worth go up seven or eight times in the past 20 years? No. Then how could his? Honesty? Deals? Paybacks? Insider trading? Making laws after investing? Take your pick.

A paper trail would probably show all of them, but that would violate his civil rights. Really? What is he doing to us, raising debt and taxes, without proper representation? Not giving us a vote to say no to more taxes or a chance to read the bill before they shove it down our throats. Once they get in, do we lose our rights? I would say yes.

Blame Clinton. Blame Bush. Blame Nixon. Blame Reagan. Really?

Congress has to okay everything a president does or make it possible for him to do. Did they get so busy in their personal finances they forgot about ours? They make the laws a president and we have to live by.

What happened? Crooks? Mental incompetents in office? Yes.

When an idiot is in the White House who is the same ilk as they in Congress are, then we have what we are having today. Nobody doing what they are supposed to do as the prologue to the Constitution states. Look out for our benefits, not theirs.

Every Washington politician has benefited indirectly from his job. Look at their personal wealth after taking office. Oh, you are not allowed to do that? They're taking my money and somehow benefiting from it. Something is not kosher here. The constitutional job description is not for personal benefit purposes.

Naturally the politicians will not cut their spending, but they will do what they can to make you cut yours. Therefore they have to raise the taxes on the rest of us in order to keep to their inflationary actions, and the mortgaging of our children's future. For re-election.

They may lose their personal wealth-producing elected jobs if they performed them constitutionally and honestly.

That's not fair. To whom? They're greedy but human. Tongue in cheek, I think. Toes, eyes and fingers crossed, too. Did I leave something out? Oh, yeah. Legs.

Most of our forefathers died broke and many lost their fortunes trying to give us the freedom they wished to continue. Not so today with our politicians.

Remember Dr. Adrian Rogers 1931 statement?

Well, the result is in California now. Washington, D.C., you and I are next.

Zen Buddhism all over the place. Now you are going to pay your "income" taxes and get some of it back in a separate "rebate" check.

Stupidity and you buy that B.S. Just cut the tax to begin with that you are required to pay.

Oh, no. That would put government tax-supported employees out of work. But there would be more trained citizens working to pay taxes. Oh, and also all the accountants and tax lawyers the companies pay for would have to work on non-tax-supported or created jobs.

I pay for the rebate I'm getting, and I buy that as a good thing? Oh, come now. Why should I pay it to begin with? Zen all over. I pay a "tax" and it comes back named as a "rebate." Wow. How stupid can I be?

JOHN ANDERSON