I was amused to the point of hostility when I read the Sunday story, "Copper thieves turning lights out." As a 25-plus year Las Vegas plumbing contractor, and as president of the Nevada Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors, it has taken "the lights being turned off" to get the attention of the media of the rampant copper theft going on in this valley.
Advertisement
My company has had to reinstall countless high-dollar waterline systems due to these thieves, and my insurer is feeling the brunt of this. In the end, we consumers simply pay more for insurance, while the salvage yards continue to purchase this stolen copper.
I have visited a local salvage yard and have witnessed full pallets of new still-in-the-box copper tubing that has been sold to them as "scrap." When I asked their supervisor about this, I was told that this company had complied with the law and had obtained the ID of the seller.
Until tougher laws and stiffer sentences are handed down to these salvage yards, you can expect the lights to continue to be turned off in your area. I invite you to listen to the numerous radio ads being placed by these salvage yards, advising the listeners of the "high prices paid for scrap copper." You may have to listen in your car, as your copper wire is being targeted while you read this.
DOUG WILLIAMS
LAS VEGAS
Gun laws
To the editor:
I appreciated your Monday editorial, "Concealed carry permits." Reciprocity is a good idea for the reasons that you articulated.
I was pleased to learn that Senate Bill 237 would also eliminate the requirement to qualify with every weapon that a permit holder wishes to carry.
Thank you for your support of SB237. I am a Nevada concealed carry permit holder, but in order for me to carry legally in other states when I travel, I have had to obtain permits from Florida and Utah. That should not be necessary.
An initiative I would like to see would be one that repeals NRS 202.3657.6.(f), which requires a permit holder to have each weapon he wishes to carry listed on the permit. This is an unnecessary and burdensome restriction. If you are qualified to have a permit, you should be able to carry any legal weapon that you want to carry. Neither Utah nor Florida has such a requirement.
David Guy
LAS VEGAS
Paint job
To the editor:
Are the wild paint designs on the sound barrier walls along U.S. Highway 95 meant as "residual income" for the contractor that is painting the many miles with colors not familiar to us desert dwellers? Please tell me this project does not use government materials and labor.
I can't believe this project was approved by officials who consider themselves fiscally responsible. The colors chosen are not seen in this desert -- and the thought of upkeep costs for this project leaves me aghast. The design itself is fine, as it has more eye appeal than a plain wall. But leave it unpainted or all one color, please. Use the money for some other more worthwhile cause.
TONI NELSON
LAS VEGAS
Big time
To the editor:
In response to your Sunday editorial, "Only longtime cops need apply":
A 10-year on-the-job requirement for sheriff candidates may sound a little much, but whether you like it or not, Nevada is growing up and getting closer to the 21st century every day. Sometimes we're being dragged kicking and screaming because -- while we say we want to be known as first-class -- we really still want things the "Old West" way.
But it's time we take the sheriff's job out of the political process and put it where it belongs. Local elected officials should hire our sheriff.
We need the best there is in the country here now, and a national search is the only way we're ever going to get it. All the powers-that-be want Las Vegas to be recognized as a first-class city, so now is the time to start acting like one. Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles -- all these cities hire their police leaders.
It's no longer the Wild, Wild West around here. Get a committee together and do it right.
KATIE WENZLER
HENDERSON
Crude pricing
To the editor:
It is almost pathetic how fast many of our local gas stations react to the slightest negative reports regarding crude, the market or our fuel inventories. I know of a local Arco station that raises its prices before your ink dries.
On the other hand, whenever crude has dropped in price, Las Vegas stations never seem to lower their prices with the same speed.
I guess we can applaud ExxonMobil, Chevron and the other petroleum giants when they announce another record year of profits. Maybe after that, they can again at least offer free water and air.
