Letter to the Editor

Borasky flip-flopping on tax increase

Sales tax item will be back Oct. 1. A proposed half-cent tax increase, voted down by county commissioners Aug. 20, isn’t dead yet. An article in the paper after the 3 to 2 vote said this increase is dead and it would take a miracle to bring it back. But here we are, two weeks later, with Butch Borasky asking to schedule a public hearing and vote on the matter. Borasky said he was always against taxes, particularly in the current recession.

Just because the voters in 2006 approved the sales tax increase it does not mean the voters in 2007 through 2013 want this sales tax increase. It should be put up for a vote again to see what the people want now. I lived in Virginia and Maryland for 61 years and in Pahrump for 3 years, and I have never seen such childish behavior by county commissioners in my life.

Do you think if Borasky voted in the Presidential election and then 2 hours later someone convinced him that he should have voted for the other party, they would let him go back and vote again? Of course not! Well this is what happened now with Tony DeMeo giving him an earful and the fire department, he has suddenly changed his mind.

The county has had tax increases since 2006 with the price of food and clothing going up. Did they not give any of this tax increase to the Police and Fire Department? When Borasky changes his vote this time will mean that Tony DeMeo will not go over his budget as he has done for the last two years?

Shame on you, Mr. Borasky, for letting others change your mind on a tax increase that you said you were always against.

James Gossard

Thanks to the community

I wish to express my gratitude to all who made my Father’s Military Memorial a success, (Lt. Bert F. Walker, U.S. Navy pilot). It could not have occurred without the expertise of our local veterans! Three specific men were directly involved in its planning, 1st Sgt. Jose Tellas, Sgt. Jerry Dumont and my brother Lt. Col. Thomas Waters. Yet so many other veterans were present to acknowledge my Father’s service and sacrifice for our country. Your presence was such a solace!

This letter of appreciation could not be complete without the acknowledgement of both Senator Heller’s and Congressman Horsford’s involvement to make the memorial a reality! It is such a joy to know that each of these men willingly work together regarding the respect of our military servicemen and women.

Our Nevada military reservists from the Navy and the Marines were the epitome of perfection. Their respect for my Father and his ultimate gift of life to our United States was flawless.

The presence of our local media was certainly recognized and appreciated! I offer a special thanks to Ms. Deanna O’Donnell with Channel 46 and to Mr. Selwyn Harris, reporter, Pahrump Valley Times, for their professional coverage of the occasion.

The town of Pahrump’s professional leaders, Commissioners, County, District Attorney, Town Board Members, Town Manager, and Fire Chief, as well as our local church shepherds were indeed a blessing to me. Obviously, friends and acquaintances were my security blanket ... even at my age of 70!

A special thanks to my neighbor: When returning home the day following the memorial, my neighbor, affectionately called “Marine Mike,” instantly dropped his rake and gave me a ‘slow and sincere’ salute. God knows how much I appreciated that. I would hope each person who reads this shall understand the commitment of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines and their respect for you and me and their recognition of a brother, sister, father, mother, wife or husband, son or daughter who did not return home to their family.

The support of our local community has been outstanding! Both Ms. O’Donnell’s and Sgt. Dumont’s videos can be viewed on the internet and truly reflect the dedication of our men and women who serve, and have served, our country with pride and commitment. I would only ask: Please let them know how much you appreciate them for keeping our country free! Offer your sincerest support to them for they are STILL acknowledging our fallen military members, no matter the date of their service.

Jill Walker Guittard

Daughter of a fallen serviceman on Jan. 16, 1945