Tuesday, May 06, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
LETTERS: Forget water conservation, just limit growth
"I wouldn't know him if I saw him. I don't know if I even want to see (his picture). If anything happens to the guy, I don't want to be held responsible."
Mayor Oscar Goodman, on James McManus, author of "Positively Fifth Street," a new book about poker and the infamous Binion murder trial that has hit No. 7 on The New York Times best-seller list and contains an unflattering reference to the mayor (left).
|
To the editor:
Increasing the price of water to force conservation is punishing the "locals" to allow more valley growth. Growth allows builders to reap more money at the expense of quality of life for current residents.
Has anyone noticed the smog or experienced traffic congestion? I do, every day. Limit or stop growth through water hookup limits and/or high rates for new water users. Let the valley roads catch up with the current traffic volumes and let schools catch up with student quotas.
Don't increase water fees or taxes -- limit growth, don't urge water conservation.
DENIS KENNEDY
NORTH LAS VEGAS
County ethics
To the editor:
Why is anyone shocked that former Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny, is representing Jim Rhodes and his proposed Hidden Hills development on the edge of Red Rock? Those of us who regularly appeared before the Clark County commissioners under Ms. Kenny's reign knew of her underhanded practices. None of us thought that after losing the race for lieutenant governor to Lorraine Hunt, Ms. Kenny would retire and stop lobbying for developers.
During her time on the County Commission, Ms. Kenny was well known for her outrageous non-conforming land use proposals, her tantrums before the taxpayers, etc. The recommendations of the County's planning department were routinely overlooked by Ms. Kenny, to the detriment of the residents of the valley.
I trust current commissioners and County Manager Thom Reilly to institute new ethics rules. Ms. Kenny, however, will never play by the rules. She seems to believe that ethics are a obstacle to getting what you want.
CAROL LEDUC
LAS VEGAS
The writer is a former member of the Lone Mountain Citizens Advisory Council.
Mine tour
To the editor:
After taking the gypsum mine tour offered by Jim Rhodes, I am convinced that the zoning should be kept rural. It is not appropriate to have a town built on that site.
There were nine people on the tour, in addition to the two Rhodes employees and a mining expert. I saw how the land can be reclaimed and am satisfied that it can be done with the federal funds. I am for development, but smart development. A town on the hill was a bad idea a year ago, and it is still a bad idea.
Maybe Mr. Rhodes will see the light and not just green. Thank you for the tour, Mr. Rhodes.
JOY LANE
LAS VEGAS
Pure bull
To the editor:
I just finished reading the advertisement by Rhodes Homes in the Sunday Review-Journal. I have also seen Jim Rhodes' TV ads. I have also seen and read the reports on the efforts of our local (Mark James), state (Dina Titus) and federal (John Ensign and Harry Reid) politicians.
I support efforts to limit and eliminate development in and around Red Rock Canyon. Las Vegas and Southern Nevada have few areas as noteworthy and renowned as Red Rock Canyon. It is really a gem in the rough. Once housing development has been allowed, it will be too late to return the environment to its natural beautiful state.
I encourage our politicians to continue their efforts to save a part of the Las Vegas Valley from the developers. Jim Rhodes has made a gamble to make a profit on his $53.8 million purchase. He is not out for the betterment of out diminishing natural environment. His statement that he couldn't agree more that Red Rock Canyon should never be marred by development is pure bull.
I hope the initiative by Sens. Harry Reid and John Ensign succeeds in procuring the endangered land around Red Rock Canyon and returning it to its natural state.
KEVIN R. HARBERT
LAS VEGAS
Book banning
To the editor:
The government's attempt to ban Irwin Schiff's book proves he is right. Otherwise he would have been prosecuted criminally, long ago. Most people know the government lies about everything, therefore it could not find a jury to convict.
Why not ban the myriad books telling how to kill with the bare hands, how to make firearm silencers, how to make deadly poisons or explosives? And why not go after North America Man-Boy Love Association? The dirty, disgusting child rapists? Because they are not costing the government money, that's why.
HAROLD CALL
LAS VEGAS
Mob rule
To the editor:
Vin Suprynowicz's Sunday column, "Making the world safe for mob rule," was an interesting read. However, it contained a common fallacy that the right wing seems intent on foisting on the public. That is, our government is not a "democracy," but a "republic." Better yet, in Mr. Suprynowicz's words, a "constitutional republic."
A republic is, in fact, a form of democracy. Democracy is a government in which supreme power derives from the people, either through direct democracy (in which the people vote directly on legislation) or representative democracy (in which the people's elected representatives vote on legislation). Representative democracies are also known as "republics." The rationale behind this system, as echoed in Mr. Suprynowicz's column, is that the democratic process would be degraded by mob rule and voter ignorance.
MARK S. DANIEL
BOULDER CITY
Where's downtown?
To the editor:
Downtown is on the move -- and I don't mean Neonopolis and other redevelopment projects.
Wasn't "downtown" always the area immediately surrounding the Fremont Street casino center? It seemed to be a stretch when the Charleston Boulevard arts and antiques district became downtown, but now the Bishop Gorman campus has suddenly moved there too. And it's just a stone's throw from Sahara Avenue, the city line.
DON SCHMIEDEL
LAS VEGAS
For judges
To the editor:
I am surprised that Sen. John Ensign is working for Sen. Harry Reid and his family ("Ensign nominates son of Harry Reid as judge," May 3). I thought we elected him to work for us.
In his proposed nomination of Sen. Reid's son to a federal judgeship, Sen. Ensign seems to have had a mental lapse. Isn't it Sen. Reid's cabal that is blocking the president's judgeship nominations (e.g. Miguel Estrada)?
It's time Sen. Ensign represents the constituency who put him in office instead of Harry Reid.
G.P. DIX
LAS VEGAS
