Letters to the Editor

Maybe an outsider is needed in sheriff’s office

I have lived in Pahrump just over a year and enjoy living here. I have been well received in the community as I have interacted with the citizens of Pahrump. I have been impressed with the level of patriotic support of our country and its veterans. I am 70 years old, grew up in a small village in Wisconsin, worked in Chicago and lived in Las Vegas for 13 years. I consider myself an ”outsider” in Pahrump. By outsider I mean I had no knowledge of the politics in Pahrump or the sheriff’s office when I moved here.

After living here a year I am appalled at the dysfunctional town board and the Nye County Sheriff’s Office. Both exhibit what I can only characterize as “childish behavior” with little regard for the citizens they are “supposed” to represent as well as serve and protect.

The lack of knowledge of those voting against the proposal of the racetrack ownership to use effluent to help develop a dry piece of desert into a recreational area is just one example of the “infighting.” The use of effluence water for these purposes dates back to the 1950’s, which has provided enough time to validate there is not a health risk.

The PVT is now being accused of promoting “immoral leaders.” The undersheriff removing political signs which were not favorable to him and the officers on “stress paid administrative leave” out campaigning while they are too “stressed” to work would raise questions about ethics. This too is just one example. Neither of the above have come out with any statement denying that they were actually doing what the PVT reported.

The sheriff’s office is not likely to change unless someone is elected that is not involved in the “infighting” and already on one side or the other of the “red” line. If the culture of the office is going to improve, an outsider who holds those employees on both sides of the “red” line equally accountable and has the intestinal fortitude to do so is needed.

Corbitte Henry

One small step in the right direction

In 1920, women finally got the right to vote, but not before they were jailed, beaten, and even declared insane, for picketing the White House and carrying signs asking for the vote. In 1965 the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Connecticut’s ban on contraceptives for married women. In 1972 it struck down Massachusetts’ ban on contraception for unmarried women. In 1970, Congress passed Title X of the Public Health Care Service Act, making grants available to agencies to provide comprehensive family planning and health care services. In 1973, the Court established a woman’s right to a safe and legal abortion. In 1994 Congress enacted the Violence Against Women Act and reauthorized it again in 2000 and in 2005. Congress had refused to reauthorize this Act because it has been broadened to extend to immigrant women and LGBTQ.

In 2003, Congress passed a bill in response to women having been raped by U.S. contractors in Iraq. In 2011 a bill was introduced in the House to amend Title X, to prohibit family planning grants from being awarded to any entity that also performed abortions. Congress outlawed “partial birth” abortion in 2003. In 2012, the Senate attempted to amend the Affordable Health Care Act to allow any employer who has religious or conscientious objections, to prevent birth control or any other medical procedure from being offered through health insurance policies.

Seven states have fully defunded or attempted to defund Planned Parenthood. In 2011 and in 2012, 8 states have passed laws mandating medically unnecessary vaginal ultrasounds for women seeking an abortion. Then on December 21, 2009, President Obama signed Senator Al Franken’s anti-rape amendment into law.

Just one small step, in the right direction. Illinois is just days away from ratifying. Nevada should be on that list too.

Margery Hanson