By Selwyn Harris
The local woman spearheading the recall effort against Nye County Tax Assessor Shirley Matson believes she is being intentionally harassed by the assessor.
Stephanie Lopez said she received a July 27 letter from Matson’s office requesting Lopez to inventory and declare any and all personal property related to her cleaning business.
Lopez, who said she does not own any such business, says she believes Matson is trying to retaliate against her for starting the recall.
“It just reinforces why I’m doing this recall. This is just my opinion, but because I have a last name of Lopez, and my Mexican descent, she just basically assumes that I own a cleaning business. I felt like she was harassing me and she’s using her position to try to inquire information about me because I’m holding the recall against her,” she said.
In part, the assessor’s letter states, “State law requires reporting all business equipment/assets also known as personal property related to the business to the assessor.”
The letter went on to say that taxes are based on 35 percent of the depreciated value of the declared items and are billed annually.
On Wednesday, Lopez responded to the assessor’s letter with a correspondence of her own explaining that she did not own or operate a business in Nye County, nor does she maintain any business equipment or assets.
In her letter, Lopez also quoted Nevada Revised Statute, which states that she is not obligated to provide any information due to the fact that she is not a business owner.
Lopez’s letter to the assessor was also sent to several county officials, including District 3 Commissioner Gary Hollis and Sheriff Tony DeMeo.
Lopez had not received a response from the assessor’s office by Thursday afternoon.
She said that to her knowledge there is no cleaning business owner in town with the last name of Lopez.
Another passage in Lopez’s letter addressed the issue of Lopez allegedly being singled out based upon a personal vendetta.
“She’s grasping for straws. I don’t have a record and I’m not a bad person. This is my right to do this recall and she’s obviously not happy, so she’s going to harass and discriminate against me because of my last name,” she said.
In an inflammatory email Matson authored last October, she wrote: “I would never have a sic uneducated illegal hater of Americans watch my children or clean my house. They can’t read and have no idea what directions are listed on cleaning supplies. That’s just one example.”
Lopez said she is now in the process of preparing to file a complaint with the Nevada Ethics Commission and the Attorney General’s Office. Lopez also said she is consulting with an attorney for possible legal action against the assessor.
“She ordered her employee to send the letter to me the day we were at the assessor’s office. The same day she posted pictures on her car and the county car. She was obviously not thinking in the right frame of mind. She’s doing this to retaliate and harass me,” she said.
One of the messages posted on Matson’s personal vehicle accused Lopez of being a racist.
Meanwhile, DeMeo said Lopez has a valid claim that Matson may be violating NRS 197.2, which speaks to oppression under the color of office.
“We contacted Ms. Lopez and asked her if she wanted the Nye County Sheriff’s Office to take a statement from her and to do an investigation. At that time she stated that she was taking this to other agencies. So at this time we are not involved in any investigation,” he said.
DeMeo also noted that the timing of Matson’s letter is suspect.
“These people have a right to be there at the assessor’s office and I empathize. It must be tough for Shirley Matson to see this in front of her office, but the fact of the matter is these people are complying with the law and Shirley Matson has to allow them to do what the law allows them to do,” he said
The Pahrump Valley Times sought comment from Matson on the matter but she had not responded as of press time.
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- Horace Langford Jr. / Pahrump Valley Times – Former Nye County Sheriff’s Deputy Mary Huggins is seen here signing a petition to recall the county’s tax assessor, Shirley Matson. Stephanie Lopez, left, helped organize the recall. She says a recent letter from the assessor’s office may spell more trouble for Matson.
You know Mr. John M. after reading this nonsence, do you really have a business? And Please. please dont tell me that a 1988 Chevy truck with 2 lawn mowers justify as a business. But after reading the BVT comments and watching them delete the name calling when you look at their own name calling reterick, you come and spew something like this. I dont know who you are or if you have kids, but apparently they are not white. With your comment you would not even hire your own kids, but if they are, would you like somebody LIKE YOU to say I would hire an illegal mexican over your own kids. NOW remembrer this whole thing started over concerns of illegal aliens, and highlighted by BVT, for weeks now. I really hate to bring this back up, but I did mention about balls, if you are really strong on your beliefs why isnt your company backing you up, GUESS NOT. So your company is gutless to stand up for what you believe in, and I am sorry I could be wrong, you could just be a transplant from Ca. dem. standing up for the illegals. At least Romero”s Bar at 290 Hacienda St. across from the Dodge Dealer had enough balls to stand up for Lopez. As the same as acouple of others in Pahrump. I believe if you have a comemnt and belief you should stand up for that. Yes we are on a fixed income, so all the tax money that is spent on illegals, anchors babies, welfare, emergency for not insured illegals, is OK??? When my taxes go up my income comes down, and what the hell is going to happen to my kids??? OH SORRY they are white and pay their taxes, and they have kids in school, that work during the summer. SO with your comment MR. John should we be teaching our children about La Raza??? and what it is doing to our children, and school system??? I dont want to be calling names but just asking the question, do you live in the same unshirted trailer as Lopez??? Because Pahrump is noted for their 1.10 acre with a trailer and parking for 6 to 8 vehicles, no not being raciest or a bigot, I live in a 1 acre home, and yes its not much, but its just the 2 of us. Yea, I know that you are ranting and raving and throwing a hissy fit around your dem friends, and yes I said that I was from the Tea Party, so BVT call me a POP TART, because this is your dem back up. All I cam say stand up and lets see, remember the balls??
Sincerley yours
Benjamin, BORN and raised in Nevada 56 yrs.
“the Tea Party Rallies trying to clean up government with American beliefs.” What exactly are “American beliefs” Ben? Are they only the beliefs that other Tea Party members have? Are American beliefs dictated by the Tea Party? Do all members of the Tea Party have the same beliefs? Are you an official spokesman? If you do not agree with the Tea Party are you un-American? Political disagreement while reaching compromise seems to be the American way. Apparently Tea Party members are under the impression that their beliefs are the only right ones. I have some mildly shocking news for you. Nobody is 100% right. Sorry to let you know.
“so all the tax money that is spent on illegals, anchors babies, welfare, emergency for not insured illegals, is OK???” How much is this Ben? Where did you get your data? How much money do illegals put back into the American economy Ben? How many illegals are in Pahrump? How many Hispanic day laborers have you seen at our Home Depot or Star Nursey Benny? Ever been to Walmart on the 1st of the month when welfare/foodstamps get issued Ben? I see a lot more caucasians then hispanics but hey don’t let me get in the way of your obviosly racial biased way of thinking.
Slowly remove the tea bags from your eyes and maybe, just maybe you will get some reason back into your mind (if you had any to begin with) and you might also find your balls.
By the way Benny, Ms. Lopez does not live in a trailer. She has a lovely home.
Why the constant insults to the tea party? What have they done to you?
Why the hate?
Does the tea party scare you? Its obvious it does by your reaction to them.
The more hate you toss their way, the stronger they grow.
Every time a non tea party person sees a post like this, they think “Wow, those anti tea party people sure are angry, I wonder why?” they investigate both sides and always end up siding with the tea party. All you are doing is making their ranks larger.
Hey Bill have you read the S&P report on the USA downgrade if not read PG 4 and you will see why I am upset with the tea baggers, and before you say anythin Im a independent, veteran, and born and rasied in the good old USA.
Benny boy,
You’re doing it again.
“nonsence” and “reterick”? Are you kidding me?
And by the way, your tea bags are showing. “Dem freinds” and “anchor babies” are a dead giveaway. call them anchor babies if you like, but the constitution says that if you are born here, you’re a citizen whether Benny boy likes it or not. I have a buck that says those “anchor babies” will go to school and learn not to be afraid of people who look or talk differently then they do.
I hate to tell you this but your comments are so badly written and so venomous, that you aren’t convincing anyone of anything.
Oh yeah Benny, fixed income you say. which is it social security or disability. none of that “welfare” for you eh Benny. You are entitled though, you’re one of those “anchor babies”. try not to be so “bigatorial”.
yup bobo…you’re right….the ” anchor ” babies are citizens….their parents are not! so we throw the parents in prison and put those babies in orphanages….
I was born and raised in Henderson/Pittman off of boulderhwy near sunset and went to basic high. My momma worked for bonanza airlines. I have history in this area, I have family throughout the valleys. I don’t have to tell you “nothing ” about who i am or what my business is. Why isn’t my business backing me up???, i might have a set of balls but i’n not stupid. You don’t need to know my business, lets just say i’ve been around along time.
wll john…that makes you a coward….i guess that you know that if you told what your business you know you would be out of business in a month….
DO TELL BEN: I dont think that Benny Boy is a raciest, but concerned after watching this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr9imilqanQ
Dear concerned:
What “concerns” me is that what you see on youtube you consider as coming from the burning bush.
Ahahaha! the ultimate “burn”
Good one Bobo
As the real truth comes out slowly about lopez alot of you that rushed to sign her petiotion are going to regreat it! miss lopez has a very questionable past and present and has been hiding alot from all of you you will see! shes no diferant then a white supremisist as a matter of fact if there was such a thing as a brown supremisist she would be the leader! shes a fraud and you all will see the light in the end
Yes they do have brown supremist groups and the main one is called La Raza which means the race and i have no doubt that they are some how involved in this recall.
Matson certainly comes across as quite crazy, and she sounds very foolish and indiscreet to boot, so it’s probably best that she gets run out of office on a rail.
As for your post about Lopez, it reminds me of “impromptu signs on manila folders … Fraught with misspellings” as mentioned in the 29 July article.
I do love watching a right winger meltdown. I think I will send Lopez a few bucks.
Hey Bobo The 14th amendment was to ensure citizenship to newly emancipated slaves,not to criminals who snuck over our borders,check out the phrase’subject to the jurisdiction thereof’was intended to exclude from automatic citizenship American born persons whose allegiance to the United States was incomplete.
Pat,
You are correct. It was written during reconstruction when you could have substituted the word “negro” for mexican in the venom everyone is writing today. As a refresher for all, here is section one of the amendment itself.
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
In addition the amendment provides, and I paraphrase here, that Congress does not have the right to revoke anyone’s American citizenship. it all seems pretty clear to me. Actually I can’t wait for Arizona to pass their legislation trying to revoke or simply not recognize the citizenship of those so called “anchor babies”. the supreme court ruling will be fun to read when something so clearly unconstitutional is challenged. that “No state shall make any law stuff is going to be pretty tough to get around, don’t you think. (Notice the word “anyone” not just emancipated slaves.)
Also the profiling that some propose regarding this is going to sink like a stone.
Edited: This isn’t English class. PVT
The phrsae”subject to the Jurisdiction thereof” was intended to exclude from automatic citizenship American-born persons whose allegiance to the United States was INCOMPLETE,In the case of illegal aliens,their native country has allegiance on that child,Therefore completeness of the allegiance to the United States is impaired and precludes automatic citizenship,so please quit distorting the Constitution for your left wing agenda.
Its funny how miss lopez’s husband joe is keeping such a low profile and standing in the shawdows and letting his wife handle all this . makes you wonder whats jose’s status in this country anybody check his papers? If jose ws so offened by miss matsons coments why then did he make his wife take the wheel
? and maybe someday the PVT will truly investigate miss lopez’s background like a real newspaper should
The Lopez Family has another agenda, they have a Public Assembly Hall better known as a ‘Church” on their modest estate that does not meet State & Local Building Codes. The Public bathroom[s] are a “wooden out-house”. In addition, the bootlegged project does not meet the America Disabilities ACT, i.e. ADA specifications. It has been mentioned that the assessor might have the place torn down. Interesting point. Ms. Lopez I think you have a tiger by the tail….! My bet is that it will never end.
The Lopez Family has another agenda, they have a Public Assembly Hall better known as a ‘Church” on their modest estate that does not meet State & Local Building Codes. The Public bathroom[s] are a “wooden out-house”. In addition, the bootlegged project does not meet the American Disabilities ACT, i.e. ADA specifications. It has been mentioned that the assessor might have the place torn down. Interesting point. Ms. Lopez I think you have a tiger by the tail….! My bet is that it will never end.