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Residents send unified message to PSC
"AIR" WOWS 'EMmMembers of Totally High Energy Dancers look cute and perform for the PVPAC
"On The Air America" show Saturday night at the PV Winery. See related item on page 7.
Photo by Mary Ann McNeill
We're not amateurs over here
by Joe Richards
Having taken my shot at the other newspaper (see Target,
page 6) there is something else to be said.
The Las Vegas Sun just ran a story by Scott Dickensheets
about the''newspaper war" here in Pahrump. It was a well-done
and accurate story, except I never knew we were in a war. I
seldom lose battles.
For the record, the Pahrump Vail©, Gazette is NOT going
away. There is a lot of money invested in this newspaper and F ve
yet to see a return from it. However, the recent spectacular
awards won by this paper show me that the staff is putting out one
of the best newspapers in the state. Now is the time to move
forward. That's what "general excellence" is all about.
We've proved ourselves to all our critics.
The reason forbuying the building was not only for the
investment, but the newspaper deserved a new home for it to
grow into the 21st century.
In fact, I would like to sell my business out here and
concentrate all my time on the newspaper.
Guess what? The Pahrump Valley Times isn't going away
either. We neverexpecteditwould. Theyputout agoodproduct
We cherish the competition.
It should be clarified that the folks at the PVG are profession-
als. They've been in the business for years. To equate us with
amateurs would be very wrong.
Mary Ann McNeill holds a degree in journalism and comes
to us from a Los Angeles newspaper with tons of experience.
Dave Downing, up in Tonopah, has been with the news media for
25 years, including the Associated Press and the Gannet
ration. Patti Babcock has edited and managed newspaper
by Andy Holtmann
The quest to offer better telecommunication service to
rural areas was what the State Public Service Commission
(PSC) was faced with Monday September 29.
In a public meeting in Las Vegas, the PSC asked consum-
ers for opinions on needs and current service to rural areas.
The meeting was linked via telephone conference with the
towns of Pahrump and Caliente.
Sharon Thomas, one of the PSC's regulatory operations
officers, explained the Telecommunications Act passed by
Congress in 1996. The act imposed certain requirements of
telephone, internet, and other telecommunication providers
to offer universal and competitive costs to both rural and
urban areas. The state PSC also has be,.a involved with
implementing discounts for various entities and for low
income households.
In May of this year, the PSC opened an investigation into
how to comply with the federal act and what impacts it would
have on both the telecommunication providers and custom-
ers. Thomas said that telephone companies like Sprint and
Nevada Bell have been very interested in this process and that
they want to be involved. What the PSC needs is opinions
from the public.
"We feel this to be the fn'st step in an ongoing process,"
Thomas said. "This rule is intended to satisfy needs and even
with it, down the road, we may need to consider further
changes."
Bob Cooper of the State Attorney General's office said
that schools and libraries have just over $2 billion available
and rural health care providers may see aid in the form of $400
million in funding. Low income assistance programs could
possibly see a raise in the aid offered from $3.60 per bill to
$5.25 per bill plus another $1.75 and matching federal funds
of $3.50.
Cooper said that participation in the "Lifeline" program,
aimed at servicing lower income households, has been low,
despite the telephone companies efforts to inform them
through leaflets and fliers attached with bills. He said advice
Continued on page 2
sections and newsletters for years. Carlton MeCaslin has over 10
years advertising management experience, including theDonrey
Media Group in California. Or photography staff, Ethel
Messer and Bruce Stevenson, are so good that they have taught
photography classes for years. Brtw had the grisly job of
shooting crime scenes with the Sheriff's department.
The rest of our staff has had enough journalism awards
heaped upon them to dispel any question about their ability to
compete. Our staff is the best± our paper is the best. We'reall
proud of that.
Nope, we're not going away. So sit back and relax. We're
here to stay. Put the rumor of lifts newspaper leaving Nye
awayNOT TRUE!
The gossip, as you know, in Nye runs rampant. If you want
the truth, read it in the PVG. No brag, just fact.