Letters to the Editor
Pahrumo Valley Gazette. Thursdav,'Auust 28. 1997 2!
Don't criticize volunteers
I am writing in defense of the town board members, the
Planning Commission Board members, as well as all of the
other dedicated people who serve on any of the many other
boards and committees throughout our town and county. These
men and women serve on these boards as volunteers, not as paid
employees. They do it because they have a true belief that they
have something to offer the town or association they serve.
While there may be a small amount of ego building involved for
some, there is no amount of ego or prestige gained that is equal
to the amount of aggravation, frustration, and loss of personal
time that these people incur. I have been continually outraged
at the comments of many in our town who seem to have all the
free time to blast away at the intentions and characters of these
board and committee members.
At the last Town Board meeting Steve Rainbolt brought up
the possibility of the town leasing the PEC facilities on the north
end of town. The reaction and treatment of Mr. Rainbolt was as
's idea was the absolute worst possible thing a human being
'uld ever consider and what kind of person could even think
ch a thing. It was even suggested that he might be receiving
a kick back from PEC for this. Where I may not agree that the
idea of leasing this facility is a good one, I certainly am very glad
to see that someone had at least tried to do something. People
have been asking the town to do something about a youth center
for many years. It was quite obvious that Mr. Rainbolt had spent
many hours researching his idea. OK, so it isn't a good one, but
at least it was a valid plan that called for the town to do
something. Something more than talk about it.
This letter is not only about Mr. Rainbolt and his idea for a
youth center. It is about each and every one of the many people
who serve as volunteers on the different boards and committees
that service our town and other groups. These people give up
many many hours of their time from their jobs, their families,
and themselves. They spend their own money searching for and
finding answers to help others. You could never begin to
calculate the investment they make. And they put themselves up
for public harassment and ridicule on a daily basis. I believe that
we all should exercise our first amendment right to freedom of
speech, and give our feedback when it is needed; but I get very
upset when I hear someone go beyond the giving an opinion of
an idea, or plan, and degrade the bearer personally. Didn't the
idea of killing the bearer of bad news go out in the Roman era?
I want to say how dare we attack the personal integrity of
someone who is willing to do what I am not? He/she is up there.
Not ME. I could be, but no, that would mean too much time and
work. I can't do that. No, it is easier for me to sit back and
criticize than to actually get up and do something.
I hear talk a lot about "getting involved." The town needs
people to get involved. Without people like Charlotte LeVar,
Bob Little, Gary Hollis, Charlie Gronda, and Steve Rainbolt,
and all of the others, our town would be sorely missing. Isn't any
plan or idea better than none at all? Didn't we each learn to walk
by taking small steps and falling down a lot? Isn't that what
growth and progress are all about?
I think that we each need to say a prayer of thanks to anyone
we know who sits on a board or committee anywhere. And
instead of going beyond the offering of an opinion to criticism
of the person themselves, perhaps we need to appreciate the
efforts behind the idea or plan and get involved in finding a
better solution or idea. Maybe one way to improve Pahrump
would be for each of the citizens to work on improving
themselves.
Hoping for a better Pahrump
Leslie Garrett
Pahrump
Register and Vote
I try to read all the letters in all three papers, and if you do
the same, sometimes one can become quite confused as to just
exactly what the majority of the population of Pahrump is
actually seeking. Some folks seem to have come here because
it was a small town with virtually no regulations on construc-
tion, usage or other bothersome necessities of a populated area.
Some have been upset because the incorporation charter didn't
pass, but I think most would agree that down deep, we all want
what is best for the valley.
Since I am far from the most intelligent soul in the world, I
will not try to make your decisions for you, but I do have a few
thoughts to put forth.
If those of you came for the small town feeling, did you tell
your friends and neighbors "back home" what you had found?
Utopia only lasts until others find it, then it is katy-bar-the-
door! For those who wanted incorporation, please visit some
small incorporated towns and speak with the common townsfolk.
It has been my experience that the utopia promised by those
who desperately (for whatever reason) wanted their way, in
many cases, only tell one side of the story. Now,I am not calling
names, for this is a political ploy used in political campaigns far
and wide and therefore, it is up to the "buyer (voter)," to keep
himself/herself informed by reading everything available on
the subject. In essence, "Caveat Emptor". With these thoughts
in mind, it is easy to understand how, suddenly, utopia has
become a sprawling metropolis.
Many folks write about the money the county has poured
into NRMC, and I feel they have every right to do so, but no-
one has come up with a viable alternative, (except to close the
facility and leave a lot of people without first class medical
care). I, for one, do not profess to play God, nor do I desire to
do so. Somewhere out there is someone with the answer or
answers to the problem who has, so far, failed to come forth.
Please, if you read this, at least write a letter to the papers with
a workable plan.
In a few short years, you are going to be asked to participate
in the census of the year 2000. I plead with everyone in the
valley to give the information freely, because we need a true
census to participate in funds returned by the U.S. Government,
and the State Government. The Rand McNally Road Atlas
gives the population of Pahrump as 1,300. This is taken from
the census of 1990. I doubt that anyone living here believes
there were that few people in the valley just seven and a-half
years ago. It is of the utmost importance you stand up and be
counted. Maybe we can obtain enough money to pave the
roads.
Recently, the state demographer was in the valley, and the
papers reported this person set the population of the valley at
just over 14,000. At the same time, we had almost 11,000
registered voters and approximately 5,000 school children.
Add these figures to the fact that many eligible voters are not
registered, and you come up with a heck of a lot more people,
unless we have the highest percentage of eligible voters regis-
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but a rough guess for most of the country would be 60 percent.
Since I seem to be in a ramblin' mood this morning, HI get
it all off my chest in one sitting. A few weeks ago the papers
reported the Town Board had decided to use the $100,000 that
Bob Tomaro has worked for many years to obtain from the
County Commissioners to get a youth center s "tarted, to build an
office complex for the new Regional Planning Commission
instead. They went so far as to petition the Commissioners to
allow the change, which they did. In my opinion, it would be
prudent to hire a certified planner to advise the board before
building.
If these things bother you and you are not registered to vote,
shame on you. I urge everyone 18 years old and above, to go to
the County Complex and register. Then, in November 1998,
get to the polls and make your voice heard loud and clear. We
should be able to muster 14,000 voters next year, and just the
registration will have an effect on those incumbents who
choose to run.
Bob Coad
Pahrump
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