Moapa Valley Progress

Firefighters from throughout the southern Nevada region joined in a grand funeral procession in Overton on Saturday for retired Henderson Battallion Chief and local resident Randall Jones. Photo courtesy of Lsa Rebman.

Downtown Overton became the setting for an honorary funeral procession on Saturday at about noon. Firemen from throughout the region came to pay last respect to retired Henderson Fire Department Battallion Chief, Randall Jones who passed away on January 17 at his home in Overton.

The procession included an Honor Guard, the Las Vegas Firefighters Bagpipe and Drum Corps, and more than 30 City of Henderson Firefighters. At the end of the procession were nine different emergency vehicles representing, various regional rescue and firefighting entities including MedicWest, City of North Las Vegas, City of Las Vegas, Henderson and Clark County. An engine from Logandale station 73 also participated in the procession.

The procession began at the Overton Fire Station #74. From there it turned south on Moapa Valley Blvd. and went through the main street district in Overton. The route then turned west on Thomas Ave. and passed beneath and arch made by two tall ladder trucks at Thomas and Jones. The procession ended at the LDS Overton Chapel where funeral services were held.

A funeral procession in honor of former Overton resident and retired firefighter Randall Jones passes between a high arch formed by two tall ladder trucks at Thomas and Jones in Overton on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Lisa Rebman.

“It was a pretty impressive sight,” said volunteer firefighter Mike Otero who was in the Station 73 engine during the procession. “It was an honor to be a part of it.”

By Vernon Robison

Moapa Valley Progress

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) officials have announced the kickoff of a Recreational Analysis of the Gold Butte Complex. Officials are inviting local residents to attend upcoming public meetings and engage in this process of analyzing current recreational uses.

The Gold Butte region is a vast open area located just south of Mesquite and east of the Overton Arm of Lake Mead. The area has traditional and historic significance to many local families with pioneer ancestors who ranched, mined, hunted and traditionally have engaged in recreational activities there. It also has historic and religious significant to Native American tribes in the region.

“We know that this is an important area to many of you in this community,” said Carrie Ronning Natural Resource Specialist of the BLM Las Vegas Field Office who made a presentation about the study to the Moapa Valley Town Advisory Board (MVTAB) on January 11. “That is why we need your input to get things right.”

Ronning explained that a good deal of BLM planning had already gone into the Gold Butte complex in recent years. This includes an extensive designation of motorized trails completed in 2008. It also includes studies of cultural resources in the area. In addition, inventories of sensitive plant and wildlife species had been done.

The upcoming phase of planning will deal with how people interact with the land and environment in the Gold Butte region, Ronning said.

Ronning listed the goals for the study. These included gathering information about non-motorized recreation in the region; identifying needs for capital improvements like campgrounds, picnic areas, parking areas and hiking trails; and developing a range of alternatives for recreation improvements which would inform a full-fledged Gold Butte Management Plan at some point in the future.

Ronning emphasized that her group would be looking for information on recreational uses mainly from the public who spend time on the land.

“We are hoping to get you involved in going out and collecting data on exactly where you like to go and what you like to do out there,” Ronning said. “Then bring it back to the public meetings so we can include these in our plans.”

Ronning explained that three open-house style meetings would be scheduled during March and April. Maps will be available at the meetings so that attendees can identify exact locations of areas they like to go for recreation. These will then be added to a master plan document, Ronning said.

“We want to know: Where do you camp? Where do you picnic? Where do you park when you go to these places? Do you use certain trails for hiking, horseback and bicycling?” Ronning said.

Areas that the public feel need restoration work would also be of interest in the process, Ronning said. These would include historic areas, rock art or wildlife habitat that has been damaged, and springs and guzzlers that need work, she said.

Also there is an interest in documenting place names, Ronning said. “We are interested in calling places by its correct name,” she said. “A lot of places out there; like roads, trails and destinations; have traditional names that we sometimes don’t know about. We’d like to hear from you about these traditional names, the source of those names, and how long the name has been in use.”

MVTAB member wondered about all the resources involved and devoted by the BLM to developing planning documents.

“You know you do all of this work, so many people working hard in the office in Las Vegas producing these written documents to manage the land more effectively,” Nelson said. “Meanwhile you have 300,000 acres plus out there and it is being patrolled by just one ranger. It seems like doing all of this planning we are sacrificing resources for people in the office writing the reports that maybe ought to be used for getting rangers out on the land watching over it.”

“The planning process helps to establish clear goals and objectives for the land to determine what we are managing for,” Ronning responded.

She explained that the planning is being funded by monies from the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act (SNPLMA).

The three public meetings will be held in March and April: one in Moapa Valley, another in Mesquite and another in Las Vegas. The exact dates of the meetings will be announced in the coming weeks. A 60 day comment period will follow the meetings where the public can make comments in writing. The Draft Plan is expected to be completed for public review in the fall of 2012.

By Vernon Robison

Moapa Valley Progress

The owners of the Quail Hollow Farm in Overton testified before the Nevada Legislative Committee on Health Care at a special interim hearing held Tuesday, January 17 in Las Vegas.

Farm owners Laura and Monte Bledsoe appeared before the committee to relate the experience of a recent entanglement they had with local regulatory agencies and to discuss the possibility of enacting legislation that could loosen restrictions on small food producers in the state.

In October Quail Hollow Farm, a Community Supported Agricultural (CSA) enterprise ran afoul of the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) at a Farm to Fork Dinner that the Bledsoes had organized. The idea was to invite farm shareholders out to the country to enjoy a wholly farm fresh meal under the stars.

“I’m a bit of a romantic,” Laura Bledsoe told the committee. “I had this idea of: Wouldn’t it be great to have a celebration of our community at this wonderful time of year. In October the weather is beautiful, the farm is bursting with produce before the winter frosts come in. And we just thought it would be a great thing to offer to the community and to our shareholders: a celebration of the harvest.”

But SNHD officials who came to inspect on the day of the event, found several problems with the food preparations. Chief among these was that the source of meats being served could not be verified as USDA approved. As a result, the inspectors required the Bledsoes to destroy the meat and other food items by pouring bleach over them.

Assemblyman Cresent Hardy, who sits on the committee, asked SNHD officials in attendance what had brought the health district, and all its accompanying regulation, into this small event which was being held on private property. For contrast, Hardy cited past instances where he had advertised for a family reunion for a crowd of 200-300 people and served locally grown meat that had similar processing origins as the Quail Hollow event.

“The same thing was happening with that but there is no regulation there,” Hardy said.

“Where the line in the sand is drawn for us is: after the beef has been slaughtered, then it is placed back into the market and is being sold to the public,” said SNHD Environmental Health Director, Glenn Savage. “Then we are very much involved. What we are interested in is the source; the beef coming from an approved source a licensed facility. The meat has to be stamped for public consumption, not for private use.”

Susan LaBay who was the supervising inspector on the evening of the Quail Hollow incident testified that there had been no verification of an approved source for the meat.

“When we asked for verification of where their meats had been processed or stored, no one could provide it,” LaBay said. “The issue was where had it been stored, where had it been butchered, and then it had been brought across state lines.”

Savage stated that there were strict federal regulations governing animals shipped across state lines, slaughtered and then sold to the public.

Assemblywoman April Mastroluca, the committee chairperson, asked if there are any approved meat processing facilities in the state of Nevada where the Bledsoes could have taken their animals.

LaBay stated that there are only a couple of USDA inspected facilities in the state.

“Unfortunately, they will not take this meat for fear of losing their USDA registration,” she said.

LaBay explained that, before meat can come into the food supply, testing is required both while the animal is still alive and after it is slaughtered.

“Most of the facilities, at least the one in Clark County, will not take this meat from farmers because that testing has not happened,” LaBay said.

Joe Pollock, Program Manager for the Nevada State Health Division, who was attending the meeting via teleconference in Carson City, brought up a possible work-around to the USDA issue. He pointed out that the USDA will grant exemptions to small producers. In that case, it falls to the state or local health authority to oversee the process from there, he said.

“If the exemption was granted, the meat would then have to be inspected by the health authority,” Pollock said. “Or the Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) allows the health officer to designate the operator of the facility to do self inspection. I think with our current staffing that would be the only option for us to do.”

This could cover the smaller farm animals; like rabbits, chickens and sheep; that the Bledsoes had processed on site. But it still left the problem of processing larger livestock at an approved facility.

“The USDA would not be issuing any exemptions for this,” said University of Nevada Extension Veterinarian, David Thayne who was also attending from Carson City. “When livestock move across state lines for slaughter purposes they have to be inspected by USDA before they can return to Nevada.”

Thayne said that the nearest USDA slaughter plant that would be able to handle this situation is in Cedar City, Utah.

“My goodness what a can of worms my little back yard dinner created here,” said Laura Bledsoe. “And I believe it was for good cause. We had a horrific experience that has turned into something really important for us to discuss here in Nevada.”

Bledsoe said that the fundamental principle in the discussion was one of choice and people’s freedom to choose what foods they will consume.

Bledsoe explained that she had met with SNHD officials in the week following the Farm to Fork episode.

“It was a cordial meeting,” she said. “But I asked the question: If I were to go and get a permit today, would I ever be allowed to serve my meats? The answer was no, I would not. Without the USDA inspection, I wouldn’t. And as was rightfully said here today, no USDA facility is going to close down shop for my 12 rabbits and a few chickens and a lamb. They’re not going to do it. I think it is important that we realize that in the state of Nevada there is no meat. We do not produce any meat in the state for consumers. None. It is not an option.”

Bledsoe made the point that consumers want a choice in what foods they eat, but that complete food safety is difficult to guarantee.  She noted that on the same night as the Quail Hollow event, her own nephew had contracted food poisoning from eating USDA certified meat at a popular restaurant.

“So we are not going to be able to eliminate every food risk.” she said. “But we can allow an educated populous to make the choice for themselves and their families. We don’t allow this at this time.”

“I want to address the issue of an informed public,” said Assemblywoman Peggy Pierce, who sits on the committee. “The public has absolutely not a clue as to the temperature meat needs to be so that its safe to eat; how long it takes to grow bacteria; how long you have to keep things cold. It’s complicated. People who do this for a living have to be trained to do it. The idea of an informed public is, well it is just mythical.”

“With all due respect, I disagree,” said Bledsoe. “I am a mom. I provide food to my family on a daily basis. We have this assumption throughout the United States these days that people are just stupid; that we don’t have the ability to make good choices for our family. I respectfully disagree with that. I feel that I have the freedom and the right to make health choices for my family and for my loved ones.”

“This is ultimately not just about food safety but its about the freedom of the consumer to make decisions,” said Jeff Rose, an attorney from the Institute of Justice who was representing the Bledsoes at the hearing. “It’s about food freedom. Eggs are not mysterious. Eating meat is not mysterious. These are things people have done for thousands of years. All of us understand how to eat fresh fruits and vegetables and meat. What the Bledsoes are really asking for is just a common sense exception to current state law that will allow them to hold their farm to fork dinners and provide food they have raised without having to go through the cost prohibitive inspection process that is presently required.”

“What we are talking about are farmers who want to grow their own food and serve it,” Rose continued. “The fact that their guests are paying really shouldn’t make a difference. As Assemblyman Hardy noted, if it were a 300 person family reunion, everyone could come and eat it. It is just not reasonable to think that the citizens of Nevada must lose their ability to consent to eating foods, ordinary simple foods, just because they are paying for it.”

But Mastroluca made a distinction between the consumer expectation when eating a family dinner as opposed to paying for a meal.

“If I go someplace and I’m paying money, I have an expectation that the food that I am eating is safe,” she said. “If there is a disclaimer that comes before that to tell me: Yes the food is safe, and it has gone through proper channels, but you do need to know that it didn’t come from a USDA inspected plant; then that is my choice.”

Pierce added that a disclaimer of this kind would have to be very clear to the consumer.

“It needs to be a real disclaimer not like the ones on your credit card bill,” she said. “It would have to accompany the original advertisement. Everyone has to be able to read it. It’s got to be up front and big enough for everybody to see.”

Senator Joe Hardy urged the parties to sort out the details and possibly find a solution before the legislative session.

“We don’t go into session until February of 2013,” Hardy told Rose. “Now I hear you pleading for a law, but these people are interested in doing something sooner than that. We have what we call legislative intent. We intend to solve this problem.”

Rose said that he would circulate a draft legislative change specific to Nevada law that would enable the Bledsoes to do what they wanted. He said that he would provide the committee with the language.

“I would encourage you to come up with some possible legislation and bring that forth to us,” said Mastrolucca. “We will have a work session in August and hopefully will have something that we’ll be able to consider as a committee and move forward in the next legislative session.”

By Catherine Ellerton

Moapa Valley Progress

Over 700 cars assembled in Mesquite last weekend to participate in the Classic Car Show held over three days. Photo by Catherine Ellerton.

Stock cars, custom jobs, modified, chopped, flamed, tubed and shaved are words that take on a whole new meaning when heard at a Car Show. Last weekend Crown Tires and the Las Vegas Cruisin’ Association, in conjunction with the Mesquite Resort Assoc., presented a spectacular Classic Car Show.

Bob Dierken, Media Spokesperson advised that when all was said and done, over 700 cars, some worth over a half million dollars, showed up to show off. They came from eleven states to include Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Washington. These folks are serious Car Show participants. Jan Erickson from Del Mar, California, said they attended at least one show a month.

It was as though you were walking through a rainbow of blues, reds, purples, blacks, greens, gold, yellows and pinks. There was a 1946 Chevy that was even painted to look like rust.

One didn’t know where to look first. There was the 2008 Mustang Club of American Grand National 1st place award winner and an extremely rare 1941 Ford Convertible that, according to the owner Scott McNair of Leyton, Utah, had been built right after Pearl Harbor.

Chuck and Cindy Hanson of Mesquite and their 1969 Ultra-Van “The Whale” were winners of a Dignitary Pick selected by The Moapa Valley Progress at the Classic Car Show held in Mesquite last weekend. Photo by Catherine Ellerton.

Logandale resident Max Maserang was one of the participants with his 1980 Mustang Saline.

There was a 1941 Plymouth Satellite Police Car that had been owned by one of the actors in the old TV series “Adam 12” and a unique 1961 Chevy Ramp Side Truck….with the engine in the rear.

Let us not forget the 1966 Sunbeam Tiger –Maxwell Smart drove this model of car in the TV series “Get Smart.”

From 1923 on up, every make and model seemed to be represented at the show.

In addition, there were vendors present that were selling everything a car enthusiast could possibly hope for. A couple of Valleyites from Overton, Larry Maxwell and John Holzer, were selling used parts in a very popular Swap Meet.

When navigating the four Mesquite casino parking lots grew too much, the participant could wander just a bit further and do a bit of sampling at the Smokin’ Big Chili Challenge held in the Casablanca parking lot. Here you could try a sampling of Karen’s Chili, Gross Brothers, On The Road Chili, Double Flush Chili and Buckeye Chili among other equally as creatively named concoctions.

I ran into self-proclaimed Chili connoisseur from Logandale, Jacque Martin, who said that even though she had just started down through the Chili booths, she was rather taken with the Green Verde from “Smokin’ In Mesquite.” Jacque said she liked it hot and this chili filled the bill.

On Sunday, over 260 prizes were awarded to include cash up to a total of $15,000.

The Moapa Valley Progress was given the opportunity to choose one of the Dignitary Picks. A plane disguised as a motorhome was chosen. This automotive device was designed by a Boeing Engineer, built in a WWII airplane factory. The vehicle has no frame, has an all aluminum plane fuselage-type body. Only 360 were built and 80 are still licensed. Chuck and Cindy Hanson are the owners of this 1969 Ultra-van named “The Whale.”

Chuck is the past president of the Cactus Cruisers, a local Car Club, and has been very supportive of the Car Shows in Overton and the Muddy River Shows when he finds time to take from his job as a County Building Inspector. Cindy is a nurse at Mesa View Regional Hospital in Mesquite where the couple currently resides. Congratulations on displaying and actively driving this unique motorhome.

The Nelson Family Band will be featured in Monday’s M.V. Performing Arts Council concert highlighting the musical legacy of one local family.

The Moapa Valley Performing Arts council will celebrate a musical legacy that spans six generations – so far – in a concert on Monday, January 23 at 7 p.m. in the MVHS Ron Dalley auditorium. Called “Our Musical Heritage,” the performance will pay tribute to a local family’s musical heritage, and illustrate how it has helped develop the valley’s musical heritage, and in a larger sense reflects the musical heritage of the nation as a whole.

Imagine a family tree with a musical note beside each person’s name who had outstanding musical talent. If Connie Whitney had such a family tree, almost every name appearing would show a musical note – or two or three.

Of course, that includes Connie herself. Connie is well known locally as an outstanding piano teacher, excellent pianist and accompanist who has given of her talent to the valley over most of the eighty-plus years she has lived here.

Above her would be her grandmother, Ada Waymire, the first piano teacher in the valley, beginning in 1924. Next would be her mother, Emma, a gifted pianist who married Ada’s son Robert.

In the generation just below Connie would be her own children, Susan Whipple, Gaye Nelson, Bruce Whitney and Judy Tanner, with musical notes by their names. And then there would be Connie’s grandchildren, many with their own musical notes. Finally are Connie’s great-grandchildren, some already with little musical notes beginning to emerge by their names.

On Monday night, family members from Connie on down will participate in the program. The concert with start with a rememberance of dance music from the early days of the 20th century in the valley, where community dances and the bands that played for them were a big part of the family fun of the community. Ada, Emma, and then Connie all played in local dance bands at various times.

The concert will continue with music from historic choir and band programs at Moapa Valley High School, not to mention the many musicals performed annually when the school drama and music programs combined. Gaye Nelson directed a successful choral program and piano lab at Moapa Valley High School for 5 years.

The family has also shared their musical abilities freely in local church services for decades, as they are still doing. Some of these will be featured as well.

Gaye married Jack Nelson, also a talented musician and music lover with a life-long passion for the guitar. With their children, Kristi, Jill and Dustin, they formed the Nelson Family Band, which features Bluegrass music along with other fun music of many kinds. They will be heard in the program.

Also Connie Whitney and daughters will be playing 8-hand piano pieces (it takes two pianos). Gaye with daughters will play classical music accompanied by piano and harpsichord in various combinations.

The whole family together, in various combinations, will create a musical feast that will make the rafters ring at the Ron Dalley Theatre. Don’t miss seeing and hearing the valley’s own version of the Von Trapp family. If only great-great-grandmother Ada could see them now. Who knows, perhaps she will be there, too!