Raise impact fees

I know I am wasting my time writing this letter because people with money and people in politics couldn't care less what the people of this town think.

I do know most people who live here moved here because it's rural, and to get away from the noise, hassle and stress of living in big cities.

I remember how nice it was living in Las Vegas in the '50s and '60s. Now the town is a total mess. Thanks to people with money and people in politics.

Development never benefits local taxpayers.

Growth increases our taxes, changes our quality of life and what about our water supply?

The real estate business is mostly responsible for the economic situation we are in right now.

Mr. Hollis, there are many taxpayers in Pahrump who will agree with me. If anything, our town should increase the impact fee.

HERTHA RONICH

Community thanks

There are many people to thank for two outstanding community events. Both were sponsored in partnership with the Holiday Task Force, NyE Communities Coalition and New Hope Fellowship through the fundraising efforts of event chairman Linda DeMeo.

The first is the Christmas Day dinner. Dan and Debbie Mallwitz (Mr. and Mrs. Santa) entertained the children and handed out gifts from Toys for Tots. The Desert Knights volunteered their talents and provided excellent music.

The second was the Easter Eve dinner. The wonderful entertainment was provided by the Pahrump Valley High School Jazz Band. They were great. NyE Communities Coalition volunteers provided face painting. The children loved it. There were also toys distributed.

Funding was provided by the following generous people: Elnora and Lee White, Tony and Linda DeMeo, Gibson and Kuehn LLP, Wulfenstein Construction, Hafen Ranch Estates, Dr. Pejman Bady of Medical Systems Management, Hollis Harris LTD, Kathleen Funk, Drs. Frank Toppo and Pilar Fernandez, Loida Schultz and Furniture Warehouse Inc.

Many thanks to the hard-working volunteers, search and rescue and sheriff's office personnel.

Irene's Casino supplied the food, charging less than $1 per meal. Over 500 meals were served and enjoyed thanks to the kindness and generosity of a wonderful community.

STACY SMITH

Director, NyE Communities Coalition

Wide open but

totally closed

In reference to your article on the lack of taxes collected from legal prostitution in Nevada:

Years ago, I lived in a small community in Oregon, which had a progressive city council who determined it was nigh unto impossible to stop the prostitution that was going on. They decided, therefore, to levy a 5 percent tax, which was gladly paid in exchange for a "wink and a nod" from the local police.

All was well until someone at the state government level became aware of what was happening, investigated and had the entire city council step down or face prosecution.

They only got away with it for a few years, but the upside was, they had accumuated enough extra tax money to build a first-class municipal swimming pool.

Welcome to Nevada's Legislature in the desert: wide open spaces, totally closed minds.

JERRY HARVEY

Beatty