DesertXpress and private capital? Not quite

To the editor:

The June 28 article, "DesertXpress on right track?" highlights a critical aspect of the ongoing debate over which high-speed rail system best fits the needs of our region: how each project will be funded.

To date, no high-speed rail project in the United States has been constructed solely with private capital. However, this hasn't stopped backers of the Las Vegas-to-Victorville DesertXpress train from initially touting the project as superior to the California-Nevada Interstate Maglev Project based on the "private only" argument.

As Benjamin Spillman outlines in his article, DesertXpress organizers plan to "recruit $1.5 billion in private equity investment and borrow the rest through the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program, which operates through the Federal Railroad Administration." This can hardly be called private capital.

The California-Nevada Super Speed Train Commission, created as a public-private partnership to oversee the development of a magnetic levitation transportation system, has outlined a well-publicized financial plan calling for 20 percent more private funding and 37 percent less government loans than DesertXpress' most recent pronouncement that it will be seeking 70 percent funding from the federal government. Based on estimates provided by the Federal Railroad Administration, the cost to taxpayers of a maglev train is comparable to that of traditional steel-on-wheel transportation.

The people of Nevada and Southern California deserve an honest, transparent and fact-based discussion about high-speed rail in our region. And with our nation facing unprecedented budget challenges, it is critical that funding continue to play a central role in the discussion.

Ken Kevorkian

LOS ANGELES

THE WRITER IS VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE CALIFORNIA-NEVADA SUPER SPEED TRAIN COMMISSION.

Green parking

To the editor:

I just returned from my new Clark County library at Centennial Hills. While trying to locate a handicapped parking spot near the door (all nine were full) I drove around to the north side of the parking lot. There I found 20 vacant spots along the front of the building, all marked "For Alternative Fuel Vehicles Only." When I asked a librarian why there were 20 unused spots out front, I was informed it was a requirement for a "green" building.

I guess "green" drivers get the top priority because global warming is at least twice as important as handicapped seniors such as myself. Perhaps it would have been wiser to have valet parking for these exclusive patrons and leave more spaces for those of us living on disability incomes who cannot afford the latest in automotive technology.

My question: Are any of our county commissioners smarter than a fifth-grader?

Richard Laird

LAS VEGAS

Theocratic thugs

To the editor:

The recent events in Iran, as reported in the Review-Journal, can only be described as tragic. But throughout history, theocracies -- whether Islamic, Christian or otherwise -- have reacted very harshly to dissent and brutally suppressed individual thought or beliefs. So the actions of the Iranian government toward the people could then be expected.

We also wonder if the old saying of "being careful what you wish for" applies here as well. How many of the protesters who recently felt the heavy hand of their government cheered when the Islamic rulers took power? How many cheered at the takeover of the U.S. embassy and the holding of Americans prisoner? Do they still cheer when relatives or friends who hold different beliefs are taken away by one of the many "police" forces who control their lives?

There are those who would like to see a theocracy of one form or another established here in the United States. Most thankfully, our Founding Fathers very definitely separated church (religion) and state. All who enjoy the benefits of living here, with the freedom of thought, should be grateful for that.

Jack Corrick

BOULDER CITY

Summerlin rats

To the editor:

We have a major problem with rodents in our neighborhoods, back yards, playgrounds and on the sidewalks of our streets. I have contacted the health district, but to no avail. I have called our association in Summerlin and they will do nothing about this situation (so much for paying monthly fees).

I have also seen rats scurrying around the playground area where children are at play. For the safety of our children, pets and everyone else, can't something be done to get rid of these varmints? No one will commit to doing anything, and all anyone advises is that they are not diseased.

Well, we are not at all happy with the attitude of the health district or our association -- I am sure people with those organizations would not be pleased if they had rats running around in their offices or at their homes.

For the general health of all of us, something needs to be done before we are plagued with millions of these rats. And, who knows, one day they can be diseased. And then what?

Barbara Meditz

LAS VEGAS