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spurdy

lvgirl: You're analogy is not relative to the situation unless I am actually working for the DMV at the time. For the sake of discussion, let's say I am working for the DMV and I am wearing my seat belt. I am leaving work and there is a huge sink hole in the parking lot that was not there before. I was not notified of this this unsecured opening, and there is nothing taped off or identifying the hole. I drive my car into it (with my seat belt on, my rule book memorized, and my training certificates nicely framed) and I am killed. My first line of defense (my seat belt,rule book and nicely framed certificates) did not save my life. Is it still my fault that I fell through a hole that never existed before and was not marked or taped off. There are two sides to every issue, and not necessarily a right or wrong one. These discussions are healthy and necessary because somewhere in the middle there will hopefully be a compromise that will benefit many in the end.

lvgirl: My brother in-law is not the only person who had a life changing experience which caused them to see things in a new perspective. We have all said and done things we are not proud of; however, not everyone is willing to step forward and be accountable. You may want a better representative, but to this day, I have not seen anyone with the balls to step forward and fight to protect the workers. These men are intimidated and threatened if they speak out, and fear losing their jobs. It is apparent by comments past and present, that this is an emotional topic which has ignited both productive and unproductive energy. The real goal here is to protect these men we send to these high risk occupations and to have confidence that OSHA and the contractors are partnering for a safe workplace, contrary to their current relationship plagued with a history of fine reductions and withdrawals. I am proud to have George represent my brother, my family and the workers. You will not find anyone more caring or passionate about helping change a failed system.

Leave it to you, Dena Titus, to turn this into a party platform. This has not gone far enough into legislation yet for you to make my brother's death a partisan issue. The dying of, and injustice for all these men and there families is a result of a system that is negligent, failed and corrupt. The only side anyone should be taking right now is the one for change!
Simonne Billingsley Purdy

Bravo Alexandra Berzon, Zach Wise and The Las Vegas Sun. Thanks for having the guts and vision to construct a piece that reveals how seriously defective workman's comp, OSHA and the entire system is. You have given my brother, his fellow fallen workers and all of our families a voice, when we thought no one was hearing our cries. This is only the spark. Nevadan's need to keep the fire burning and demand change. To Business (Anti) Agent Mr. Lenhart, while my brother and these men were giving their sweat, blood, lives and souls to your union...it appears that you had already pledged yours to the contractors!