Springs Preserve a positive for Las Vegas

To the editor:

As part-time residents of the Las Vegas Valley, my husband and I choose our leisure activities very carefully. We are so impressed with the Springs Preserve and what it has to offer (Sunday commentary). If for no other reason, the school programs alone are justification for its existence.

I am currently volunteering as a National Park Service ranger in California, serving in an interpretive education program for schoolchildren there. In my opinion, the interpretive displays and educational experiences at the Preserve are outstanding. Exposing local children to the history and biodiversity of the area can only reap positive benefits for the Las Vegas of the future.

If we don't become wise stewards of nature and its resources in this area, no amount of money will matter.

After retirement in the near future, we will be living in our home here and, I hope, enjoying the Springs Preserve for years to come.

Elizabeth Saide

HENDERSON

Wasted resources

To the editor:

I understand the Las Vegas Valley is running out of water. Why is the water district spending money on the Springs Preserve instead of using this money to find more sources of water?

If the priorities are not put in order, the valley will be a dust bowl, and it won't matter if there have been cultural institutions here or not.

DORIS LIPPINCOTT

NORTH LAS VEGAS

Tribute to Billy

To the editor:

I'm so saddened by the untimely and tragic death of the man in the trademark blue shirt, Billy Mays. Love him or not, Billy Mays epitomized what it means to be an American. Or at least what it once meant.

Rising from nothing to a wealthy, self-made man, using pure grit, hard work and entrepreneurial fortitude. At a time when "wealth" is a bad word, Billy Mays was never ashamed of making money the old fashioned way.

Most people would see his commercials and wouldn't give them a second thought. Many would probably even flip the channel to avoid his pitch altogether. His voice was a bit abrasive and sometimes annoying, but if you stopped for a moment to see what was actually going on, you might see why Billy Mays was one of my heroes of capitalism, and why I quietly admired him, his message, and what he stood for.

Watching Billy in action was inspiring to me as a conservative and advocate of the free market. He was a dedicated family man with a purpose in life and a drive to succeed.

Never forgetting his modest roots, he was also very generous with his self-made fortune, helping many friends and charitable causes along the way.

Billy would travel the country seeking out ingenious new ideas and then, using purely capitalistic tools, he would do all the necessary market research on whatever product he chose to promote.

When he was completely confident that he had a winning product, he would focus all of his energy and money-making instincts into making that the most important product on the planet. He would then bring his staff together for the production of commercials and infomercials and sell the living hell out of it. What a great capitalist.

He had a tried and proven method, and he would do it over and over and over again. Making millions of beautiful, wonderful American dollars in the process. He loved doing it, and I loved watching him. It was truly inspiring to me.

Billy Mays was responsible for making millionaires out of many ingenious American inventors using his raw talent, hard work, long hours away from his family and capitalistic instincts.

He was the essence of what it means to work hard and make it in this beautiful republic of the United States of America.

Yes, American capitalism lost one of its most visible heroes this week, and I will truly miss him. A rising star taken from us at a time when his capitalistic spirit was most needed by all of us. Billy Mays was truly an inspiration to me.

He was one of a dying breed, and my prayers go out to Billy and his family. Rest in peace, Billy Mays. We loved you.

Brian K. Shoemake

PAHRUMP

Two Michaels

To the editor:

Michael Jackson or "Wacko Jacko"? Who does the public remember?

Before his death, Mr. Jackson had been accused of child molestation twice in one decade; he then sold his precious Neverland Ranch after the trials and moved to England. He was apparently broke from the lawyers and settlements.

After his death a few days ago, Planet Hollywood auctioned numerous Jackson memorabilia, expecting to gross from $10,000 to $30,000. The auction earned well more than expected at $205,000. His death definitely ended up being the only thing that could refresh his image from the person who wanted to share his bed with children back to his old "King of Pop" image.

I, quite frankly, expected him to live forever.

Andrew Hitchcock

LAS VEGAS