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	LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

	Theft of Campaign Signs Is Crime
	Loose Dogs Is A Problem
	Prison Towns Frightening
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	Theft of Campaign Signs Is Crime

	*To the Editor:* It may be that some people think the vandalism, mutilation, or theft of campaign signs is harmless, or even fair play. On the contrary, it is a crime. In the last several weeks, all but one of the signs for one particular campaign have been stolen. The cost of these signs adds up to Grand Larceny. The party/parties responsible probably did not realize that because there is only one opposing campaign with signs in the valley, their actions would not reflect well on their own candidate. They obviously also did not realize that in a town this size, they were likely to be observed and recognized. It may be that those involved were unaware of the unethical/criminal nature of their actions. But this seems unlikely as the only sign left standing is the one across the street from the Police station. Campaign signs are erected at great financial cost, and with no small effort in this hard, desert ground. Fortunately, in this case, the perpetrators have a chance to redeem themselves. If the Ron Paul signs are put back up in the next week, the people who erected them will not be forced to file a police report and ask witnesses to come forward. There will be no lawyer fees, jail time, fines, or criminal record. It would be nice for this matter to be handled without police involvement or names published (and if this underhanded tactic was no longer employed in our valley). I hope this letter will serve as a reminder to the community that we are all (at least for the time being) entitled to free speech and to endorse the candidate we choose; that this is not a victimless crime (there’s a lot of money and time involved); and that these unethical campaign practices are not honorable, acceptable, or legal. Chloie Leavitt Back



	Loose Dogs Is A Problem

	*To the Editor:* I read with interest the letter from Charlene Morin in the February 13 Progress about vicious dogs. Moapa Valley has become overrun with loose dogs, and although all of them or not vicious, but Clark County has a “leash law,” and although we are not in Las Vegas, we are still in Clark County and should obey their laws. Being vicious is not all of the problem. I have severe osteoporosis, and have to walk to strengthen my bones, and the friendly dogs will run up to me and jump on me, and their owners will say, “oh, they won’t bite.” Well, biting is not always the problem. If they cause me to fall, I will have broken bones. I called animal control a couple of years ago about our neighbors two dogs that were always running loose, and most nights would be barking outside my bedroom window at 1, 2, or 3 a.m. After at least six phone calls and only after one of the dogs bit my husband, did animal control pick them up. The owners immediately got another dog and promptly let is run loose also (although, now it seems only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays when there is no animal control services available to us here). This dog does not bark, but it goes to all of the neighbors and does its business and we have to clean it up instead of the owners. Any day that I drive down Cooper St. there are dogs running loose, there again usually early mornings before animal control starts at 9 a.m. A friend of mine had her baby goat killed by a large loose dog a few months back and could get nothing done about it. The goat was in her own back yard. What is the purpose of animal control if they cannot control the animals. I agree wholeheartedly with Charlene that something desperately needs done about this problem before a child or adult is attacked or even killed. Ina Reinhardt Back



	Prison Towns, Frightening

	*To the Editor:* This letter is my two cents worth in response to a letter by Shari Lee Wright Lyman published on January 30 in the Progress concerning the proposed Moapa Detention Center. We recently returned from Southern Florida - the West Palm Beach area. While there, one day we were out for a drive, enjoying the local scenery. We had driven through the mansions - the Kennedy Retreat with accompanying Bomb Shelter on an island, Oprah Winfrey’s mansion which she decided she didn’t like and sold; and we headed south. The unusual trees, the flatness, yet beauty, of the land, the sugar cane fields, the serenity and majesty of the Atlantic Ocean, the fields of winter vegetables furnished to the Nation, the pristine and sacred Everglades, the low squat grey buildings, the rolled razor wire .... What? As I took a double take, I was advised that we were in the Belle Glade area.....a Prison Town. There were several different types of prisons in the area. My tour guide advised NOT to leave the main road. They had gotten lost once and ended up within the town .... white knuckle time until they were able to get back to the main road. The area has a reputation as a “tough town” - one you did not tarry in. I guess I agree with Ms. Lyman ....although prisons seem to be a “necessary evil” in today’s society .....one had better check it out pretty thoroughly before you become known as a Prison Town. It was pretty darn scary! Catherine Ellerton Back



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