Are you registered to vote?
Tuesday was the last day to register, so if you are not registered, you are not qualified to cast
your vote in the Nov. 4 general election.
If you are not sure about your registration status, you can call the Clark County Election Department at 455-VOTE (8683) or check online by going to www.accessclarkcounty.com/depts/election.
Your vote can make a difference in the future of our country. Early voting starts Oct. 18. Check the Election Department Web site for details.
This particular presidential race is one of immense historic impact, the first in which either an African American man or a woman will be elected to the presidency or vice presidency, respectively.
I, for one, will always vote for the candidate I believe will keep America and her people first. I will not vote for a candidate based on their gender or race. I am refreshed by the fact that our country refuses to hold onto prejudice that has no place in the hearts of most Americans.
Besides the presidential race, this November’s ballot features races for the U.S. House of Representatives, Nevada Supreme Court, State Assembly and Senate, Clark County Commission, Clark County School Board, Nevada State Board of Education, university system regents and numerous local judgeships.
Additionally, there are ballot questions that are important to the future of our state and its counties and cities.
They include several questions to change the state Constitution to eliminate an unconstitutional six-month residency requirement for voting; to provide that property taken for public use is valued at the highest price it would bring on the open market and to make other changes to the eminent domain proceedings; and to require that the Legislature find social or economic benefits and take certain steps before it enacts an exemption from property or sales and use taxes.
There is also a state question that asks if the Legislature should be allowed to change provisions of the Sales and Use Tax Act without voter approval to carry out federal laws or interstate agreements for the administration, collection or enforcement of the taxes. It would also repeal a tax exemption for certain aircraft and aircraft components.
In addition to the state questions, there are two county advisory questions. One asks if voters support an increase of up to 3 percent in the hotel and motel room tax to raise money for the long-term support of K-12 education.
The other one, only for Boulder City residents, asks if voters would support establishing a special tax district that would impose a new tax of 15 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation to raise money for Boulder City Hospital.
Finally, there are three city questions in Boulder City. They would amend language in the city charter to include feminine and plural references; amend the charter to eliminate closed City Council hearings to consider the termination of a city officer; and advise the council on whether it should sell 46 acres of land to help fund construction of a third water intake in Lake Mead.
For a complete explanation and arguments, log onto the Election Department Web site.
Please make your vote an educated vote, and happy voting.
•••
On an unrelated note, I have been so busy and preoccupied with life and community that my godson thinks I have abandoned him. No, never, Matthew. You are always in my heart and in my prayers. You are a very special 6-year-old and a true gift to the world. Happy birthday Matthew Felsenfeld. Your godmother loves and misses you.
Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the News, can be reached at 990-2653 or colleen@vegas.com.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Mom watches boy become a man
Wow! The day has come. Justin, my second eldest son, is enlisting in the U.S. Army.
As I write this column, I am filled with fear, heartache and an enormous amount of pride. I don’t ever recall having such an array of emotions all at the same time. Is this what every mother experiences as she listens to the words, “Mom, I’m joining the military?”
As my son unveiled his newest adventure, these words were coming not from my little boy who was a quiet soul until the day he chose to speak at the age of 3 and, when he did speak, it was a full sentence. The little boy who was independent and was comfortable leading and following, a true team player. The little boy who always wanted his brothers to be the best they could and often set the tone with fun and laughter.
Yes, he was a jokester and usually at mom’s expense — a slithering snake into my shower, convincing his friend David into dyeing his hair and eyebrows purple.
No, these words came from a man who no longer is a little boy.
So, where is my young man going from here?
His first journey is to basic training in Georgia, where he will learn to walk and talk (yeah, I thought I had already done that job. Apparently there is a mom way and the military way.)
In addition, he will learn to properly fold his clothes. Oh my gosh! Good luck on that one, drill sergeant. I have tried to teach him how to fold clothes since he was 6 years old.
He will learn to be part of a team (heck, he has been part of a squad for the last 26 years with five brothers).
Justin’s next journey will be off to jump school. This one has the entire family shaking their heads. Justin hates to fly. His last flight was to bury Grandpa Chief in New Jersey, and we all took turns holding his hand.
Our question to him was, “So, Justin, you are going to jump out of an airplane?” His response to this was, “Well, I’ll be OK. I’ll have a perfectly good parachute.”
His next goal is to qualify for something called HALO training. Apparently, there is an elite group of military jumpers who jump from the outer atmosphere and open their “perfectly good” parachutes at the lowest point possible.
Then its onto Justin’s ultimate goal: to qualify and graduate from Ranger school.
Yes, I have found humor in sharing my son’s story. So, I will add smiles and laughter to the bag of emotions that I have as I watch my little boy become my little Ranger.
Good luck, son. I’m proud of you as you begin your journey and continue your grandfather’s legacy of love of country and of those who put their lives on the line to protect it.
I will keep the home fire burning and continue to fight for the rights of those of you who are serving our country now and for our veterans who have gone before you.
Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the Home News, can be reached at 990-2653 or colleen@vegas.com.
As I write this column, I am filled with fear, heartache and an enormous amount of pride. I don’t ever recall having such an array of emotions all at the same time. Is this what every mother experiences as she listens to the words, “Mom, I’m joining the military?”
As my son unveiled his newest adventure, these words were coming not from my little boy who was a quiet soul until the day he chose to speak at the age of 3 and, when he did speak, it was a full sentence. The little boy who was independent and was comfortable leading and following, a true team player. The little boy who always wanted his brothers to be the best they could and often set the tone with fun and laughter.
Yes, he was a jokester and usually at mom’s expense — a slithering snake into my shower, convincing his friend David into dyeing his hair and eyebrows purple.
No, these words came from a man who no longer is a little boy.
So, where is my young man going from here?
His first journey is to basic training in Georgia, where he will learn to walk and talk (yeah, I thought I had already done that job. Apparently there is a mom way and the military way.)
In addition, he will learn to properly fold his clothes. Oh my gosh! Good luck on that one, drill sergeant. I have tried to teach him how to fold clothes since he was 6 years old.
He will learn to be part of a team (heck, he has been part of a squad for the last 26 years with five brothers).
Justin’s next journey will be off to jump school. This one has the entire family shaking their heads. Justin hates to fly. His last flight was to bury Grandpa Chief in New Jersey, and we all took turns holding his hand.
Our question to him was, “So, Justin, you are going to jump out of an airplane?” His response to this was, “Well, I’ll be OK. I’ll have a perfectly good parachute.”
His next goal is to qualify for something called HALO training. Apparently, there is an elite group of military jumpers who jump from the outer atmosphere and open their “perfectly good” parachutes at the lowest point possible.
Then its onto Justin’s ultimate goal: to qualify and graduate from Ranger school.
Yes, I have found humor in sharing my son’s story. So, I will add smiles and laughter to the bag of emotions that I have as I watch my little boy become my little Ranger.
Good luck, son. I’m proud of you as you begin your journey and continue your grandfather’s legacy of love of country and of those who put their lives on the line to protect it.
I will keep the home fire burning and continue to fight for the rights of those of you who are serving our country now and for our veterans who have gone before you.
Colleen O’Callaghan-Miele, co-publisher of the Home News, can be reached at 990-2653 or colleen@vegas.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
