Letters to the Editor

County employees commended for professionalism

This letter is to share with you my experience I've had with many people in Nye County in regard to the tragic death of Keith A. McKinney in a house fire at 1711 Windsong Lane in Pahrump, Nevada on the night of January 1st, New Year's Day.

Keith was a close friend since 1980.

The specific departments I want to publicly thank and commend for both their professionalism and their kindness are the sheriff's department, Robin Dorand-Rudolf in the public administrator's office and Stephanie and the other staff in Nye County Animal Control.

The fire and death of Keith and the disposition of his beloved pets who survived the fire, even as he died trying to save them, has weighed heavily on my heart.

So when all of the above-mentioned went out of their way to address my concerns, my heart was deeply touched. Nye County is blessed to have such wonderful employees.

Ann Marie McDonald

Pahrump animal shelter grateful for donations

A word regarding Good Neighbors. Over the last several weeks and months the Pahrump shelter has had an outpouring of concern and good will from numerous neighbors in Pahrump who have brought food, blankets, newspapers etc. for the many protective custody animals still being housed at the shelter.

The care and custody of these many dogs has come unexpectedly in regards to how long the Pahrump shelter has had to care for them now.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have put action together with your concerns and donated so much for the care of these animals. Good Neighbors making a difference.

Thank You,

Nye County Animal Services

New state taxes will burden sick and dying

The need for taxes to support our state is undeniable. But the Nevada Department of Taxation's latest move placing an even larger burden on the injured, sick and dying is both unnecessary and inhumane.

The NVDOT found a "legal" way to ignore a previous Nevada Supreme Court decision exempting life-saving equipment like ventilators, oxygen concentrators and all oxygen administration equipment from taxation. The rapacious act now makes Nevada the most oppressive state, one of the few to charge sales and use tax on their sickest population.

In a cruel parting gift from the NVDOT, terminally ill hospice patients will now be taxed during their average remaining life span of 11 days. Even sick newborns are not protected. Life-saving monitors may go unordered if parents cannot afford the expense.

Most of us will need home medical equipment in our lifetimes. To charge sales and use tax on life- sustaining equipment is nothing short of immoral. NVDOT should be ashamed.

Leslie Sargent