LETTERS: Build schools, not soccer stadiums
To the editor:
In the Sept. 4 Review-Journal, Trevon Milliard’s article painted a dismal picture for the future of elementary school students in Clark County (“School Board considering ways to ease overcrowding”). The statistics cited in his article tell the story: The Clark County School District’s 217 elementary schools are on average 18 percent over student capacity and use 1,872 portable classrooms to get through the school year.
Some of the proposed solutions to the overcrowding are to turn vacant grocery stores and other retail space into elementary schools, start double sessions, or alternate on-site school days with staying home for online classes. There is no money to build additional schools. Voters did not pass the school district’s request for a $669 million property tax increase in 2012, and the School Board did not ask voters for a bond issue this November, as it assumed the chance for approval was slim.
In the same edition of the Review-Journal was Alan Snel’s report, “Council delays vote on soccer stadium.” If you wonder which stadium this refers to, because Southern Nevadans are currently hearing about so many stadiums (the 51s want a stadium, UNLV wants a stadium), this one would be 78 percent publicly funded and would host a yet-to-be-bought Major League Soccer team. The city of Las Vegas would own the $200 million stadium in partnership with The Cordish Cos. and Findlay Sports &Entertainment. The two private partners would cover some of the construction debt through rent and other payments.
The City Council, which deferred action on the stadium until Oct. 1, would fund its share of the stadium cost with bonds, tourism district money and hotel room charges.
At a time when we don’t have the money or the will to properly fund elementary school education, why would we consider using public money to fund a stadium for a soccer team that doesn’t exist? Perhaps when the stadium is not in use, our elementary school children could use it for classroom space. At least it would provide more parking and recreational opportunities for the children than a vacant grocery store.
LYNN CLAYTON
LAS VEGAS
Politics and the NFL
To the editor:
It’s nice that our elected leaders, including our own Sen. Dean Heller, have the time to weigh in on cases such as the one involving NFL running back Ray Rice (Sept. 11 Review-Journal). After all, the economy, jobs and the threats from the Middle East pale in comparison.
My question to Sen. Heller: Why is he not demanding an inquiry into why Mr. Rice is not in jail for his actions? Why was the New Jersey judge given so much leeway to absolve Mr. Rice and let him walk away? In ordinary cases involving normal people, there would be criminal charges and an order of protection for the victim. Maybe Sen. Heller can ask the Department of Justice to delve into that question.
We all know the NFL’s motive is money and greed. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is just a tool, and Mr. Rice is just a cash register being filled by fans that care for nothing but his time on the field. In their mind, Mr. Rice is excused from his “minor” transgression because he is a superhero.
At least Mr. Rice wasn’t with the Washington Redskins, which would have prompted Sen. Reid to also lend a voice.
GARY ROSENFELD
HENDERSON
Myers’ reporting accurate
To the editor:
I have noticed several letters criticizing Laura Myers’ article on Hillary Clinton and her conditions and demands for speaking at mass gatherings (“High fashion, expense for Hillary travel,” Aug. 17 Review-Journal). What these criticisms lack are any claims rebutting the actual accuracy of Ms. Myers’ points.
Instead, the emotional gripes seem to boil down to the article’s portrayal (through facts) of Mrs. Clinton as someone they don’t want to admit is an arrogant, aloof and self-serving politician this country can ill afford as its leader. I applaud the Review-Journal and Ms. Myers for exposing a side of Mrs. Clinton that would be buried by left-leaning publications.
J.J. SCHRADER
HENDERSON
