| LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: | ||
| Moapa TAB Not Aware Of What They Are Getting Into | ||
| Commissioners Lost My Respect And Support | ||
| Something To Ponder | ||
| Like He Sees It | ||
| Very Well Said! | ||
| SEND A LETTER TO THE EDITOR | ||
| Moapa TAB Not Aware Of What They Are Getting Into | ||
| To the Editor: From the article NV Energy Requests Waivers From MTAB) (Progress, Jan. 21, 2009), I have to say that the MTAB are not aware of what they getting into. I am a member of the Moapa Band Of Paiutes and I have been involved with Nevada Power on issues of their evaporation ponds, more importantly dealing with the “Fly Ash” that blows into the lower portion of our Indian Reservation. Fly ash is the byproduct of burning pulverized coal. The fine, glassy particles are usually disposed of in ponds to reduce the spread of dust. An attempt by the EPA in 2000 to classify fly ash a hazardous material to be federally regulated was beaten back by industry. On more than one occasion the Moapa Band Of Paiutes has dealt with NV Energy on this issue and it has been going for over a decade. According to a report released by the Environmental Integrity Project, a Washington-based nonprofit formed in 2002 by former EPA enforcement lawyers, nearly 100 “wet dumps” report toxic metal in their fly ash. Of the top fifty wet dumps at least one of six toxic pollutants (arsenic, chromium, lead, nickel, selenium and thallium) were found it their evaporation ponds. With the relocation of the evaporation ponds to the top of the mesa south of the power plant there is a risk of “Fly Ash” blowing over to the residential portion of the town of Moapa. Over the years the people here on the reservation have seen clouds of dust coming from the power plant to our lower portion of the reservation during the high wind season. Now the town of Moapa may be at risk of these pollutants blowing over to their community. The first time I made contact with the EPA and Nevada Division of Environmental Protection was when they had a meeting with Nevada Power (our Reservation was not invited). They were unaware of the dust blowing over to our reservation. As of today there is a monitoring station placed there but not because of me, it was the people here on the reservation who demanded it. MTAB has not contacted our community on their decision with NV Energy to relocate the evaporation ponds. With our reservation being only a half mile away from the power plant you would think MTAB would have enough common sense to invite our Tribal Council to their meetings also. Now they are having their roads repaired and soccer fields added to their community. What about the people here on the reservation? There is no soccer field here nor even a park. The children here on the reservation would have to have someone drive them to this soccer field, if they can find a ride. The next time the Moapa Town Advisory Board makes a decision this big especially something so close to the reservation they should invite the Moapa Band Of Paiutes to attend. William Anderson Posted January 28, 2009 |
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| Commissioners Lost My Respect And Support | ||
| To the Editor: I would like to add my comments about the recent Moapa Valley Town Advisory Board appointments. I voted for Commissioner Collins the first time he ran for Clark County Commissioner. I, as so many others, thought he would really represent the citizens of Moapa Valley with their best interests. After reading his remarks a couple of years ago about the trash on Interstate 15 between Apex and the Overton/Logandale exit; that he drove that route frequently but he must drive so fast that he does not see the trash; I lost my respect for him and he lost my support. I am happy now that I did not vote for him in the last election-and needless to say will not in future elections. Sadly, it does not seem that either commissioners that we have representing us now, have our best interests at heart. To so blatantly ignore the wishes of the majority of this valley is hard to justify, even as Dr. Moses pointed out, it is legal. Being legal does not always make it right. Of course, as Commissioner Collins says, he has enough votes in Las Vegas, he does not need our votes, which unfortunately is sad but true. Ina Reinhardt |
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| Something To Ponder | ||
| To the Editor: In response to the ongoing imbroglio between the Moapa Valley Progress, some valley residents, and Commissioner Collins: you may not always agree with him but you have to admire his bravery. Attending a town advisory board meeting realizing full well that you are the target for the night takes a pretty tough cowboy. I have always felt sorry for Clark County staff members that were required to attend one of these meetings when the issue was controversial. Those stories we heard back East about the “Wild West”somewhat understate the passion. Did anyone rise to speak in favor of Commissioner Collins’ action; or for that matter was anyone really interested in hearing his reasoning? This is a very homogeneous community; dissenting opinions generally are not tolerated. My sense is that our commissioners understand this as do some county staff members that have confirmed this to me in the past. Hey guys, the real point here may be that your job is to report the news, not make it. Now there is something to ponder. Bruce R. Baxter |
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| Like He Sees It | ||
| To the Editor: I appreciate Vernon Robison’s comments. I know Vernon, and trust his ability to comment on the issues which affect our community. I do not know Mr. Collins, and cannot comment on his recent actions affecting the MVTAB board, nor do I know of his intent to select new members by ignoring the wishes of the people. As the editor of our local newspaper, Vernon has told it like he sees it. He is a professional journalist. Frank Weigel |
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| Very Well Said! | ||
| To the Editor: I just read your Editorial (Public Response to a Public Accusation; Jan. 21, 2009) and I completely agree with you. I have said to different people since this happened, all the same things that were said at the town board meeting by the community. Keep up the good work!! Judy Whitney Tanner |
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