By M. Louis Arin, Ph.D., Jean M. Arin, Ph.D.

Since the beginnings of our country until today, the hard-rock mining industry, which extracts minerals such as gold, silver and lead, is considered a privileged industry by both the Federal government and the State of Nevada. The Federal General Mining Act of 1872 was instituted to encourage the development of the western frontier of the United States. The Act declares that anyone can mine for free on public land, with no government royalties and the land can be purchased for $5 per acre or less.  General Mining Act of 1872 was so successful that the generated fortunes from the silver and gold mines became the fiscal bases and incentives for the founding of San Francisco and Nevada.

The original goals of settling the West have been achieved and even surpassed, yet the Federal General Mining Act of 1872, remains in place today without any review or change. Is it because the financial and political power developed by the mining industry still makes legislation for change so difficult?

The mining interests financial and political power was demonstrated in the early history of Nevada when the mining interests held up for 10 months the ratification of the Nevada State constitution, necessary for statehood. The mining industry wanted a net proceeds tax on earnings to be included in the state constitution, not a gross tax. A draft of a new constitution was drawn up with a provision taxing only the net proceeds of mineral sales which is what the industry wanted. Thus, Nevada became a state on October 31, 1864.

RED ROCK DEMOCRATIC CLUB

MEETING MINUTES

Call to order:

The Red Rock Democratic Club regular meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. on June 25, 2008 by Steve Fernlund, President. 

Approval of the minutes of previous meeting (s):

The May 28, 2008 meeting minutes were reviewed by members in lieu of being read.  Several members moved to accept the minutes as presented and numerous members seconded the motion.  The meeting minutes were unanimously approved. 

RED ROCK DEMOCRATIC CLUB

MEETING MINUTES

Call to order:

The Red Rock Democratic Club regular meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. on May 28, 2008 by Steve Fernlund, President. 

Approval of the minutes of previous meeting (s):

The April 23, 2008 meeting minutes were reviewed by members in lieu of being read.  Several members moved to accept the minutes as presented and numerous members seconded the motion.  The meeting minutes were unanimously approved. 

RED ROCK DEMOCRATIC CLUB

MEETING MINUTES

Call to order:

The Red Rock Democratic Club regular meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. on April 23, 2008 by Steve Fernlund, President. 

Approval of the minutes of previous meeting (s):

The March 26, 2008 meeting minutes were reviewed by members in lieu of being read.  Several members moved to accept the minutes as presented and numerous members seconded the motion.  The meeting minutes were unanimously approved.  A member noted that Nancy Elf’s name be corrected to read Nancy Allf.

RED ROCK DEMOCRATIC CLUB

MEETING MINUTES

The meeting was called to order by President Steve Fernlund. The flag salute was followed by announcements:

April 12th--Voting at the Thomas & Mack Center for delegates to the Nevada State convention and for the Democratic Party Platform;

May 17th and 18th--Democratic Nevada State Convention at Reno;

April 10th--Buffet dinner at the Rampart Casino; 

Thelma Perry--will be in charge of collecting at each monthly meeting of blankets, clothing, food,etc. for “Democrats Care”;

Patrick C. Clary announced a meeting of the Nevada Committee on Foreign Relations on March 27th at the Rainbow Library focusing on the microcredit field.

RED ROCK DEMOCRATIC CLUB

MEETING MINUTES

Call to order:

The Red Rock Democratic Club regular meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. on February 27, 2008 by Steve Fernlund, President.

Approval of the minutes of previous meeting (s):

The November 20, 2007 and January 10, 2008 meeting minutes were reviewed by members in lieu of being read.  Steve Tolman moved to accept the minutes as presented and numerous members seconded the motion.  The meeting minutes were unanimously approved.

While our membership is over 200 people, typically 80-100 people attend a meeting. Speakers include Democratic elected officials, Democratic candidates, and prominent experts on public policy issues. 

As we've expanded, we've developed many committees. Please use the Volunteer Form to sign up.

We are dedicated to:

• Encouraging local registered Democrats to participate in their own areas.
• Establishing a grassroots effort concentrating on the western area of Las Vegas.
• Promoting Democratic candidates to represent this area and aid their elections.
• Disseminating information promoting Democratic candidates and policies
• Promoting the registration of new Democratic voters.
• Appointing precinct captains to encourage local participation in politics.
• Providing a forum and offer assistance to Democratic candidates.

Please visit our club to see for yourself that this organization in your area warrants your membership!

For further information, contact our current president, Steve Fernlund at (702) 338-3403 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Or just drop in on one of our exciting meetings!