LETTERS: Water more important than stadium
To the editor:
Having recently returned from a two-month vacation, I was amazed that the battle was still raging over the downtown soccer stadium. One would have hoped that Mayor Carolyn Goodman and the former mayor, her husband Oscar Goodman, might have found something more important to occupy their time and efforts.
Several months ago, I attended a community meeting in Ward 6 on this very subject. Amongst the notable attendees to address the folks were Las Vegas City Councilman Steve Ross, several members of the Findlay family and Mayor Goodman. When the mayor’s turn came to speak, she first called to our attention that she was not a politician, but rather a wife, mother and grandmother. Sure sounded like a politician to most of us.
And her pitch certainly sounded political. The former mayor is an excellent teacher.
Mayor Goodman has decided that she knows what is good for all of us, no matter what the opposing viewpoint might be.
The fundamental issue here is simple: Why should Las Vegas be investing money in a private business venture? If Findlay Sports &Entertainment wants to bring soccer to Las Vegas, it should do so without taxpayer money. If the Findlays can’t come up with the necessary funds, let them sell more cars until they have the money.
The most significant need Las Vegas has is a means to overcome the water shortage, which is only going to get worse. The sad truth about our so-called drought is not only that government officials don’t have answers, but that they don’t even understand the questions.
Driving around town, I see construction everywhere, much of it residential. Where will the water come from for those communities? Conservation is a band-aid, but certainly no solution.
If the city wants to invest some money wisely, it should put together a blue-ribbon think tank of scientists, engineers and international experts to come up with a solution for this serious issue, which is vital to the Las Vegas’ survival. The Southern Nevada Water Authority is nothing more than a tired smokescreen, operating at taxpayer expense.
We live in a desert. A serious, long-term plan of attack is long overdue. If we don’t overcome our water shortage, a soccer stadium will be the least of our problems. Because in 25 years, there will be no one here to attend the games anyway.
RON HIRSCHKIND
LAS VEGAS
Middle East oil
To the editor:
Why we are still buying oil from the Middle East? Isn’t that the money those countries are using to buy weapons? Buying Middle Eastern oil doesn’t seem to be much different than buying illegal drugs from Mexico, thus funding cartels that kill, kidnap and maim to protect their turf.
The only difference is in philosophy. The Middle East uses so-called religious ideology as an excuse for barbaric behavior. Drug cartels seek profit and will kill to get it. We have plenty of oil here. What part of this picture am I missing?
DUSTY BURROWS
LAS VEGAS
Little League cheating
To the editor:
Little League International made the correct decision by having Chicago’s Jackie Robinson West team forfeit its U.S. Little League championship (“Little League Baseball strips Chicago team of title; Las Vegas team new U.S. champs,” Feb. 11 Review-Journal online). The ruling was consistent with similar infractions. At any level of amateur sports, if players are deemed ineligible, those games are forfeited.
Of course, once Jesse Jackson reared his head, it became a race issue, which was ridiculous. This is not about race. It’s about right and wrong. I feel sorry for the kids, who are blameless in this mess. But it is valuable lesson that cheating does not pay.
JOE MOLINARO
HENDERSON
