TO THE COMMUNITY FROM A TOWN BOARD MEMBER
As stated in Letters #1 & 2, the information below is provided because there are many in the community who has no information, some information, or erroneous information about several issues. I will continue to select two or three topics once or twice each month merely to enlighten or inform. I will also accept topics from you for future “Open Letters.” Feel free to contact me at twaters@pahrumpnv.org or 775-764-0949.
Please understand that I speak ONLY for myself as a Town Board member and will provide accurate information as I see it through my research. Please check my facts (if you doubt them) and feel free to provide corrected data if you believe I am in error. You are also free to ask other Town Board members or members of the community if they agree with me or have a different view point.
As I did in Letter #2, and because I am still an optimistic about Pahrump’s future, I’d like to begin this Letter to the Community with a quote from Helen Keller. She stated; “No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an unchartered land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.” Let’s open that doorway together.
1. The Detention Center (CCA Nevada Southern Detention Center) -
In less than a year, CCA Nevada Southern Detention Center has made a substantial and positive impact on the economy and the community of Pahrump, Nevada. The facility currently sustains a workforce of 234 paid employees, of which an overwhelming majority live in Pahrump. In fact, 138 employees (58%) were hired directly from Pahrump and 203 (86%) of the current staff reside in Pahrump.
In less than a year, CCA Nevada Southern Detention Center has made a substantial and positive impact on the economy and the community of Pahrump, Nevada. The facility currently sustains a workforce of 234 paid employees, of which an overwhelming majority live in Pahrump. In fact, 138 employees (58%) were hired directly from Pahrump and 203 (86%) of the current staff reside in Pahrump.
During 2011, CCA will pay Nevada Southern employees more than $16-million in salaries, approximately $1-million for utilities, and more than $700-thousand in property taxes. Actually, from January to June 2011, the Detention Center generated more than $6.4-million dollars in employee payroll with much of that going directly back to the community in the form of housing, taxes, utilities, gas, child care, and other services.
As a partner in the community, donations to non-profits and fundraisers continue to grow. Among the local organizations that have benefited from direct donations of money and time from the Detention Center are: Boys and Girls Club, Town of Pahrump, Great Basin College, Nye County Sheriff’s Office, Miss Pahrump Pageant, VFW Post, Acoustic Grass Music Festival, Police Unity Tour, American Cancer Society Poker Run, and the League of Women Voters.
Since CCA employees are members of the community, you won’t recognize them as CCA employees unless you know them personally. That is because they are not permitted to wear their uniforms outside of official work duties or travel to and from the facility. It should also be noted that 30% of CCA’s workforce are veterans.
To learn more about the Detention Center, you can visit their website at www.cca.com or www.ccacommunities.com . You can even contact their Public Information Officer, LeeAnn Archulela, at 775-751-4504-4504. I also invite you to meet with Warden Rushing who is also very proud of CCA’s contribution to the Pahrump community as a good neighbor.
2. The Pahrump NV Vacation Destination (aka Theme Park) -
There are some very good questions coming forward about the Pahrump Vacation Destination. Also, there are seriously flawed assumptions along with some seriously erroneous information being spread to the public. I hope to respond to erroneous and flawed information but want our citizens to continue to question our government on decisions that are made that affect them.
There are some very good questions coming forward about the Pahrump Vacation Destination. Also, there are seriously flawed assumptions along with some seriously erroneous information being spread to the public. I hope to respond to erroneous and flawed information but want our citizens to continue to question our government on decisions that are made that affect them.
First and foremost, this is a VACATION DESTINATION and unless you plan to vacation in Pahrump, you would only attend the events that interested you. However, the hope is that the funds raised by tourist participation would interest you. These funds coming from the “tourists” that do attend the events would go to help our community. Secondly, although there are many false assumptions, the room tax money can only be used for tourism, not for buildings, roads, streets, or teachers. The room tax money was placed there by tourists who visited our town and no Pahrump taxpayers put one penny there unless you rented a room or RV spot in Pahrump.
The Vacation Destination should be a topic of discussion by residents and a unique vacation experience for visitors to our Town. Although the “Think Tank” attraction was discussed at length in the proposed Contour Final Report, it is merely one of the several attractions proposed. Please remember too that this is a first proposal and not the final determination for Adventure Springs. The iconic observation tower will be tied to the unique spirit of Pahrump. This Vacation Destination, if approved as is, would host:
1. Adventure Springs Lake – This would include a lake area of about 8.5 acres with walkways, landscape and desert landscape of about 6 acres.
2. Visitor Center Including Reservations Center – Approximately 2,000 square feet (sq ft).
3. Iconic Tower – Observation tower with café / bar at base, flex rooms for small parties and events. Approximately 6,300 sq ft over six stories.
4. Reservation and Reception Center for Think Tank Attraction – Minimum of about 2,500 sq ft with likely expansion with other elements for more casual visitor experiences including simulators, games, and rides to about 4,000 sq ft indoors.
5. Cinema – Five (5) screen cinema with a total of 590 seats. Two theaters with 80 seats each, two with 100 seats each and one theater with 130 seats.
6. Family Entertainment Center – Indoor areas of approximately 33,000 sq ft and outdoor areas in the range of 160,000 sq ft including go-kart tracks and miniature golf for a total of 4 to 5 acres.
7. Target Golf Shooting Range – The 3-story driving platform, gallery and bar / restaurant is about 5,000 sq ft and the range takes up about an additional 8 acres.
8. Event Space – Flexible for many types of events. This area would be prepped and ready to accommodate any type of event, which could range from BMX competitions to Renaissance Festivals.
9. Retail, Dining and Entertainment District – This could house the Chamber of Commerce or other public offices.
10. Parking – The initial plan would be about 7 acres for 700 cars and also some parking for buses.
1. Adventure Springs Lake – This would include a lake area of about 8.5 acres with walkways, landscape and desert landscape of about 6 acres.
2. Visitor Center Including Reservations Center – Approximately 2,000 square feet (sq ft).
3. Iconic Tower – Observation tower with café / bar at base, flex rooms for small parties and events. Approximately 6,300 sq ft over six stories.
4. Reservation and Reception Center for Think Tank Attraction – Minimum of about 2,500 sq ft with likely expansion with other elements for more casual visitor experiences including simulators, games, and rides to about 4,000 sq ft indoors.
5. Cinema – Five (5) screen cinema with a total of 590 seats. Two theaters with 80 seats each, two with 100 seats each and one theater with 130 seats.
6. Family Entertainment Center – Indoor areas of approximately 33,000 sq ft and outdoor areas in the range of 160,000 sq ft including go-kart tracks and miniature golf for a total of 4 to 5 acres.
7. Target Golf Shooting Range – The 3-story driving platform, gallery and bar / restaurant is about 5,000 sq ft and the range takes up about an additional 8 acres.
8. Event Space – Flexible for many types of events. This area would be prepped and ready to accommodate any type of event, which could range from BMX competitions to Renaissance Festivals.
9. Retail, Dining and Entertainment District – This could house the Chamber of Commerce or other public offices.
10. Parking – The initial plan would be about 7 acres for 700 cars and also some parking for buses.
When you think of the Think Tank experience, think of the Treasure Island experience in Las Vegas. The tank explosions would be on the same order as the Treasure Island ship cannon fire, all artificial.
Since it takes people to manage and operate the events, this would also include jobs for local residents with salaries that range from low to moderate.
So, instead of saying that “it won’t work in Pahrump” why not listen to the entire proposal and study the potential. Mr. Vince Hedges “appears” more knowledgeable than most people I have spoken to. He continues to keep an “open mind” while still questioning the entire project. I would hope that we would all follow his example since we all want something that will bring tourist dollars to Pahrump.
3. Open Meeting Law (OML) Violations in Pahrump -
I had been informed that Open Meeting Law (OML) violations were rampant in the Town of Pahrump. Since I believe in researching all topics before I state my opinion, I contacted Mr. George Taylor (Nevada Senior Deputy Attorney General in charge of Open Meeting Law violations) for the latest documented information. While it is true that each filing costs the Town money (approximately $500 each) to prepare a legal defense for the Town entity, we encourage filing if there is a clear OML violation but we discourage frivolous filings because it wastes the assets of the Town. As an example, there were recently SIX violations filed by a Town resident. The cost to the Town to prepare the defense is approximate $3,000. If they are upheld, it was a valid submittal. If no violation is found, it was frivolous and a waste of Town funds.
I had been informed that Open Meeting Law (OML) violations were rampant in the Town of Pahrump. Since I believe in researching all topics before I state my opinion, I contacted Mr. George Taylor (Nevada Senior Deputy Attorney General in charge of Open Meeting Law violations) for the latest documented information. While it is true that each filing costs the Town money (approximately $500 each) to prepare a legal defense for the Town entity, we encourage filing if there is a clear OML violation but we discourage frivolous filings because it wastes the assets of the Town. As an example, there were recently SIX violations filed by a Town resident. The cost to the Town to prepare the defense is approximate $3,000. If they are upheld, it was a valid submittal. If no violation is found, it was frivolous and a waste of Town funds.
Here is the information I received from Mr. Taylor:
Between years 2000 and 2011 the AG’s Office reviewed fifteen (15) complaints regarding the Pahrump Town Board.
AG file No. 2000-020, Closed 6/2/2000 - Complaint withdrawn.
AG file No. 2000-027, Closing Letter, no complaint had been stated 8/31/2000.
AG file No. 2001-060, no violation was found.
AG file No. 2003-040, no violation was found.
AG file No. 2004-060, even though the notes to this case states the Board refused to cooperate with this office. We issued a warning in AG File No. 2004-060 based on an inconclusive investigation)
AG file No. 2005-029, – Inconclusive investigation; Warning Letter issued 2/14/2006 / Reopened in 2007.
AG file No. 2005-029, In 2007 we found a violation and issued a warning.
AG file No. 2010-003 and 2010-004, – no violation was found.
AG file No. 2010-032 thru 2010-036, – we found a violation and issued a warning.
AG file No. 2011-027 and 2011-028, are still pending. (There are three complaints on each file for a cost of $3,000.)
According to Mr. Taylor, “Overall, the volume of complaints statewide remains steady, averaging 45 to 60 complaints a year. I can’t detect a rise in complaints for any individual local government, city or county.”
So, my fellow Pahrumpians, in my review of the OML information from the AG’s office about the Town of Pahrump for complaints filed between the years 2000 and 2011, I don’t see a trend of rampant submissions of OML violations. It is definitely NOT wide-spread, especially when the last ten complaints have been filed by the same two Pahrump residents. Also, of the suspected violations submitted, most were NOT valid complaints and others received a warning letter because they were minor. A recent change to the Open Meeting Law states the AG’s Office can now access a monetary fine of $500.00 or more for valid OML violations. We’ll have to wait and see what the six pending investigations yield but my “best guess” is that there were NO violations.
No comments:
Post a Comment