LETTERS: RJ needs to restore local performing arts coverage

Theater coverage

I have been a subscriber to the Review-Journal for more than 20 years. I have reached the end of the proverbial rope in the continued diminution of local coverage. I am exceptionally livid at what I consider to be the worst decision ever made at the Review-Journal: the reduction or elimination of community theater, dance and performing arts reviews. How can Stephanie Grimes, after 60 days as the features editor, arrive at such poorly thought-out decision?

It is ironic that, regarding last week's sale of the Review-Journal, Publisher Jason Taylor said, "The change in ownership structure allows for continued stability and investment. Our commitment to local journalism … remains our mission." I will not discount the voices in whatever readership panel advised Ms. Grimes, but I can assure you the need for community arts reviews is essential to your readership. I would note the "Smith" in The Smith Center for the Performing Arts is Fred W. Smith, who has ties to the former owners of the Review-Journal.

When the Review-Journal was sold eight months ago, I endured an increase in syndicated content because we had wonderful local reviews that were a drop of proverbial rain in the very real desert we dwell in. How wonderful to read the extremely well-written reviews from Richard Davis and others of local theater, dance, ballet, opera and other wonders that we have in the Clark County arts community.

Is the Review-Journal unaware of the conversation in the Las Vegas arts community about this decision? There is universal disdain for this unbelievable decision forced upon readers who have been in the valley for decades. I am truly sorry that you will be losing subscribers, including myself, without a reversal of this decision.

David Blackman

Henderson

Editor's note: The Review-Journal's goal is to serve the greatest number of readers possible with every story we run. We are in the process of reorienting our features coverage to do just that. We will continue to devote significant resources to arts and culture in Las Vegas, directing our focus to stories with the greatest community impact.

Useless death penalty

I've been checking the letters to the editor page every day, and I'm surprised I haven't seen any letters regarding the article on Nevada's death row ("Death row not so deadly," Dec. 6 Review-Journal). A death penalty that's not used is not effective. It is time our state legislators enact a new law that limits the appeal process to three years. After that, no more appeals. Execution takes place swiftly.

These convicted criminals shouldn't be granted a life when they take lives. If the death penalty process were streamlined and effectively carried out, there would be less murder in this state.

And forget lethal injection. There is nothing inhumane about hanging, firing squad, gas chamber or electrocution. Hanging is my choice, as it saves taxpayers enormously. Was it humane for these criminals to do what they did to their victims in order to end up on death row? It is time this state advocate for the victims and their families, not the criminals. Did the victims get an appeal?

Marlene Drozd

Las Vegas

Support solar

As a solar owner and a new retiree on a fixed income, I cannot afford for NV Energy to increase my utility bill by 40 percent ("Rooftop solar industry, NV Energy take fight over proposed tariff to regulators," Nov. 16 Review-Journal). The reduced utility bill and the tax credits promised to me by NV Energy were the reasons I was able to afford solar panels in the first place.

If my cost of living rises, I will have to give up my solar panels. There are many other solar energy producers like me who cannot afford this increase and would have to give up their panels as well. This is a problem, because solar energy is important not just in Nevada, but throughout the world.

Solar energy reduces America's carbon footprint. Rooftop solar also uses no water, which is very important as water levels in Lake Mead continue to decrease. Thousands of Nevadans are employed because of the sales, installation and customer service of solar energy in Nevada. These are just a few ways solar energy can positively impact Nevada. We need to continue giving incentives for Nevadans to turn to solar energy.

Nicholas Mancuso

Henderson