LETTERS: Container Park lessees have obligations, too

Business owners who chose to lease retail space at downtown's Container Park and are now complaining about lack of foot traffic and blaming their lack of prosperity on property management should take a closer look at their own business plans to explain their failures ("Uncontained complaints," Nov. 13 Review-Journal). I fully support independent businesses, but I also recognize new businesses often fail due to inexperience and poor decisions made by the owners and operators.

I applaud Eric Healey's efforts to provide eyewear to residents in need, but did he factor that cost into his business model? Did he consider whether customers would be willing or able to return to his third-floor, downtown location for adjustments or repairs on their glasses, or to purchase additional pairs? He invested $200,000 into his business. What was his break-even point? Did he consider how many pairs of glasses he would need to sell per day to pay his overhead and make a profit?

The article states, "Healey said because he's a one-man operation, it's difficult to be in the store seven days a week during all store hours." Mr. Healey is then quoted as saying, "They used to be a little more lax about it because they understood I was running everything solo, but then last month they decided to send me four ($75 fines) at once and another last week." Mr. Healey seems to expect management to treat him differently because he is but one man. But the onus is on him to sell enough products to meet the obligations set forth in the lease he signed, and he should have considered the location and lease terms in his business model.

Many people may not be willing to make the trek downtown solely to visit a boutique business, which is why it is vital that Container Park is marketed as a destination with multiple amenities. But property management can only do so much, and business owners must accept that they have to incentivize customers to seek out their storefront, even if it is on the third floor and the elevator is broken.

Jen Bratten

Las Vegas

Sexuality education

I am thoroughly disgusted with the sheer "I know best" arrogance of Clark County School Board Trustee Carolyn Edwards ("Sex-ed earplugs," Nov. 11 Review-Journal editorial). Perhaps she needs a reminder that she is a public servant. She also needs a stern reminder that parents are the ones entrusted with deciding what images and concepts their children are exposed to — not the state, not whatever politically correct wind is currently blowing, and certainly not a School Board trustee.

Similar attempts have been made in this country to force psychiatric medications upon children, despite decisions made by parents armed with the factual knowledge that these medications have terrible side effects and are over-prescribed. The battle goes on regarding the dangers of over-vaccinating, even though Robert Kennedy Jr. exposed that pharmaceutical companies arrange to have vaccines added to a list for which they are protected from litigation should the vaccines cause harm. These companies make huge profits for each new vaccine on the list, regardless of whether it's needed.

From the sex education materials a child is exposed to, to the psychiatric drugs and vaccines they are prescribed, it should still be the parent who has the final say. Anyone who tries to circumvent parents' wishes in these areas is either arrogant beyond belief or following political correctness.

Brian Gardner

Henderson

National defense

With the carnage in Paris still fresh in our minds, I would like to pose this question to all Americans during this presidential election campaign: Would you feel safe for yourself, your family and our country if Hillary Clinton were elected president and commander in chief, put in charge of our nation's military forces and responsible for the defense, protection and safety of our country? Mrs. Clinton and President Barack Obama tragically failed that test during the Benghazi attack.

Think about that carefully. Our nation's existence depends on who we elect as our next president.

Daniel S. Maxime

Las Vegas