Growth report didn’t focus only on extreme

To the editor:

Geoff Schumacher's Friday column related to the Hobbs Ong growth report contains an important inaccuracy.

In this column, Mr. Schumacher says "The Southern Nevada Water Authority commissioned a study to project what would happen to the local economy if growth stopped. Not if growth slowed down, mind you, but if it stopped. This was a clever political ploy. By focusing on the most extreme scenario, the consequences undoubtedly would look the most severe."

Page two, however, of the executive summary of the Hobbs Ong report specifically details the scenarios modeled, while page three contains a very clear chart entitled, "Modeled Impact Scenarios." Three impact scenarios, reflecting a 10 percent, 30 percent and 65 percent reduction in direct construction jobs are modeled in this nationally peer-reviewed study.

For each scenario, a range-based analysis of economic impacts was conducted based upon the duration of the development contraction. It is very important to note and correct that the study did not, as Mr. Schumacher claimed, model a complete cessation of growth scenario. In no way did the report focus on "the most extreme scenario." Such a scenario was not even included in the report.

J.C. Davis

LAS VEGAS

THE WRITER IS A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOUTHERN NEVADA WATER AUTHORITY.

Good night, Danny

To the editor:

On a business trip to Las Vegas, my wife and I went a couple of hours before the show and got in the "stand-by line" to see one of Danny Gans' performances.

Mr. Gans' show was, hands down, the very best show I have ever seen. He danced and sang, but his greatest gift was his impersonation talent. We had seen several other impersonators, and they were all good. But Mr. Gans was superb. Mr. Gans' impersonation of George Burns brought tears to my eyes.

At the end of his performance, he talked to his audience, explaining how he arrived in Las Vegas. He told how very much he loved his family and entertaining, but he hated the travel and did not know what to do. He went on to tell how he prayed that God would show him what to do. He then told us how very quickly his prayers were answered with an opportunity to perform in Las Vegas.

As he talked, you could sense and almost feel the love he had for God, his family and Las Vegas. Then he told us his father was in the audience. As his father stood up, we all started to applaud, and then stood in honor of two wonderful men. Now, he is performing personally for our creator, George and Gracie Burns in heaven.

"Say good night, Gracie."

"OK, George, but before I do, there is something I'd like to say to Danny. Danny, I want to thank you for honoring my husband all those years you performed in Las Vegas. I can't tell you how much George and I laughed up here. Many people believe your impersonation of my husband was better than even George himself could do."

"Good night, George."

Good night, everyone.

Pete Cassidy

MCKINNEY, TEXAS

Money woes

To the editor:

When a family is in financial stress, the first thing they avoid is increasing their spending in any category, with few exceptions. The state of Nevada should do the same, i.e., start with the 2007 budget and the 2008 salary levels for all state employees without increasing their budgets.

The state exceptions to a frozen budget would be items such as increasing those expenditures related to the additional unemployment caused by these hard times. Then delete a few programs and activities that are not useful -- and there are some.

During this time of slow population growth, services focused on population growth could be reduced. An example is the Department of Motor Vehicles. At this point, add the additional taxes required to fill any remaining funding gap. The state taxpayers would accept this process as reasonable to get the state through the current crises.

Dirk Dahlgren

LAS VEGAS

Budget plan

To the editor:

Geoffrey Lawrence's Sunday commentary "A blueprint for Nevada's budget dilemma" is right on the money (pardon the pun). The only problem: These people we have elected to state government are unable or unwilling -- or just too dumb -- to accept it.

But maybe I am too harsh. Perhaps they are just going the way their constituents want them to go, i.e., spend, spend, spend. Or could it be they are doing what the lobbyists want them to do?

But all is not lost. We have term limits. Better than that, however, there is an election coming up in 2010. Vote a few of them out of office and the rest will get the message.

Do we the people have the fortitude to vote them out? I do.

Bill Wilderman

LAS VEGAS