Water Rock (aka Pahrump) Outlaws St. Patrick's Day

copyright: Elena Cordero-Arms (PVT)

Pictured above is Pahrump Sheriff Tony DeMeo. It may be hard to believe but if the Sheriff decorates the motorcycle for the next St. Patrick's Day Parade the same way he did this year (picture taken on March 22, 2006), he may be breaking the law.

Yeah, you read that right. The Pahrump Town Council this week passed an ordinance by a vote of 3 to 2 making English the official language which is ridiculous in itself as the town's name is not exactly English but derived from the Indian name Pah-Rimpi meaning Water Rock. Wonder when they'll change that. I also wonder when Town Board member Michael Miraglia will change his name to a more English sounding one and if he'll actually be able to remain on the board.

Also, the Town Board restricted the flying of foreign flags in this ordinance:

8. Flying of Flags on residential and business property including land. The Official Flag of the United States of America shall be flown in accordance to United States Code, Title 4. No other flag or pennant may be placed above or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States of America. And, if flown from the same halyard in this order from top to bottom:

a. The Official Flag of the United States of America.
b. The Official Flag of the State of Nevada.
c. The Official Flag of the Town of Pahrump.
d. The Official Flag of our Military Forces.
e. Any other flag or pennant an individual whishes to fly other than a flag of a foreign nation.
f. A flag of a foreign nation cannot be flown by itself, and must always be flown with the Official Flag of the United States of America, union first, from separate staffs. No person shall display the flag of the United Nations or any other national or international flag, equal, above, or in a position of superior prominence or honor to, or in place of, the flag of the United States.

For the purposes of subsections a. through e. these flags can be flown by themselves.

As for the Sheriff, I think it's quite disambigous whether he adheres to the new rules. It may well be that he's disrespecting the U.S. flag... Let's just hope he and everyone else celebrating St. Patrick's Day next year will be prepared, so as to not face the $50 fine and 30 hours of community service originally meant for Mexicans. Isn't it fun to watch how a racist ordinance can backfire very quickly?