Letters to the Editor
Fight high ozone levels by timing valley's traffic signals better
I just read your article in the May 29 edition of View in regard to "County aims to keep ozone levels under control." At first, my thought was, "Is this a joke?" I say that because I find it ironic that one of your "Ways to help reduce " states to not idle your car engine unnecessarily. I do think this is a very good article that includes many helpful and meaningful facts and suggestions .
I moved to south Las Vegas a year and half ago from the (very smoggy) Los Angeles area. At that time, I was amazed that most of the traffic signals were actually timed here so that, if you do not exceed the speed limit, you would get mostly green lights. This made sense to me, knowing that just stopping and idling and starting again at a stop light can affect air quality.
That fact has changed immensely since then . For instance, if I turn right onto Serene Avenue (traveling e ast) from Bermuda Road and head toward Eastern Avenue, every light is timed for red (one mile and three lights). So I sit for several minutes at every light . This has been the case taking Silverado Ranch Boulevard as well; out of five lights between Eastern Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard, you might catch one green. I realize the more times I stop and go and idle my car, the more pollution that is emitted into the air .
My perplexity is that most roads in Vegas run north/south or east/west, and it shouldn't be that hard to get these lights back on track. This would make a huge impact on the air pollution here.
Please, let's not let beautiful Las Vegas turn into another Los Angeles, where most days you can cut the air!
Jenel Stine
Las Vegas
Sun City Aliante Veterans Group touched by emotional flag ceremony
On Saturday, May 26, the Sun City Aliante Veterans Group conducted a huge picnic with the Mojave High School Junior ROTC , conducting a very memorable flag ceremony . The flag ceremony was in honor of our fallen men and women. The cadets brought in the American flag with riflemen escorting its entrance. Then from a short distance away, a lone cadet in combat uniform brought in the POW-MIA flag and was accompanied with bagpipers playing "Amazing Grace." Once in the building, he brought the flag up to an empty chair that was placed there in honor of those who are no longer with us . The cadet then tipped the flag at the empty chair. Then one cadet at a time brought in flags from each of the branches of the Armed Forces, and as each flag was brought in, the audience applauded (the Air Force received the loudest applause). The cadet who placed the American flag in its stance stepped back, came to attention and saluted the flag. Then the rest of the flags were placed in their stances. Then all the cadets turned and faced the American flag, and our veterans' group director led everyone in saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Then everyone remained standing for a moment of silence as we remembered those who have given it their all. During this moment of silence, taps was played quietly in the background. I and everyone in attendance (approximately 200 people) were brought to tears with the playing of taps in memory of those who given their all. For our dear friend Marcy Cote (who is the Nevada state president of the Gold Star families who lost a son or daughter in Iraq or Afghanistan), we salute you and your wonderful son who gave it his all. This was a beautiful way to honor our fallen men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
Bob Russ
Activities director, Sun City Aliante
