LETTERS: Soccer stadium should face public vote

To the editor:

I am more than ready to sign the petition to put the downtown soccer stadium up for a public vote. Las Vegas City Councilman Bob Beers is correct in bringing this boondoggle to the public for a vote, instead of leaving that decision to a group of council members firmly in the thrall of some spendthrift who wants a soccer stadium, but sells the idea of the public shouldering a huge chunk of the burden. Where I come from, if a private party wants to build something which benefits only them, it puts up or shuts up. That means you, Findlay Sports &Entertainment &Cordish Cos.

I’ll wager that if this scam is put before the taxpaying public, it will be dead on arrival. And if not, at least we will have settled the issue with the public voice, not that of an egomaniacal City Council, led around on a nose ring by illusionists.

Mayor Carolyn Goodman, it takes a heck of a lot more than a soccer stadium and a Major League Soccer team to make a first-class city, or whatever ridiculous marketing phrase you used, and that includes keeping the entire parks budget for the parks and arts. And in case you think I am against the game, I assure you that I love soccer — just not when I’m bilked for it.

JIM FOLEY

LAS VEGAS