LETTERS: Tips can tip balance for fast-food workers

To the editor:

Let’s be honest with ourselves. No individual franchise owner today, amid an oversupply of unskilled workers, is going to give $15 an hour for a minimum wage job. So put away the “Fight for 15” signs and redraw them to read “2 for you.” Start a new campaign nationwide. If everyone left a $2 tip at fast-food restaurants, a tip jar could soon be very heavy. Sure, not everyone will give $2, but others might give more. We all know Americans are very generous. And remember, it’s only a slogan, rather than an obligation.

Do the math. If a fast-food restaurant serves just 20 customers an hour, and the average tip is $2, then that’s $40. Divide that by, say, five workers, and that’s $8 per worker for that hour. Add that $8 to their $7.25 minimum wage, and they have their $15 an hour.

That would make the workers happy. The customer feels good about giving. The owner is pleased he doesn’t have to lay off workers, and I am delighted my hamburger remains the same price.

ROBERT KNIGHT

LAS VEGAS

Water conservation

To the editor:

With regard to Andrew Fahey’s letter (“Water conservation,” Wednesday Review-Journal), the Southern Nevada Water Authority wholeheartedly agrees that asking restaurants and resorts to participate in our community’s water conservation efforts is important.

In fact, when the SNWA initiated measures such as mandatory watering restrictions and development codes limiting the use of grass in new landscapes a decade ago, we also created programs directed at the resort and restaurant industries.

The Water Upon Request program has more than 200 participating restaurants from throughout the Las Vegas Valley, and the Linen Exchange program has been adopted in 35,000 hotel rooms. As a not-for-profit agency, SNWA is committed to making the most of our community’s limited water supply. We appreciate the continued support of residents and businesses, who used 29 billion gallons less water last year than they did in 2002.

DOUG BENNETT

LAS VEGAS

Mr. Bennett is the conservation manager for the Southern Nevada Water Authority.

Pups on Parole

To the editor:

I was rather shocked when I received a copy of the article “Puppy Love” (Sept. 1 Review-Journal) from a relative in Las Vegas. Inmate Susanne Carno was one of the featured prisoners involved in the Pups on Parole program. The article stated she was in prison for 40 years to life, but did not say what crime she committed.

Ms. Carno murdered her husband, my son, 11½ years ago. I’m extremely offended. She shouldn’t be allowed to be viewed as a sympathetic character. Prisoners who are incarcerated for life for murder shouldn’t be given their 15 minutes of fame.

MARY HODDER

CONCORD, CALIF.

Gas tax waste

To the editor:

The increase in the Clark County fuel tax will result in greater waste of tax dollars. The rebuilding of flood-damaged roadways and other infrastructure will not be efficiently accomplished. Thousands upon thousands of gas tax dollars could be saved by utilizing aggregate (gravel and sand) from sources closer than the 80-mile turnaround haul from Eldorado Valley, a trip that doubles the price of the materials.

Clark County owns enough material rights within a few miles of rebuilding projects. There should be an emergency agreement between the city of Las Vegas, Clark County and the state of Nevada making it mandatory to utilize supplies closest to the projects. That supply is located at the north end of Decatur, on the alluvial fan.

The city of Las Vegas has a material processing plant located off West Charleston Boulevard. The material could also be stored locally, saving tremendous wear and tear on local highways and roads.

There is enough material available to last 10 years, allowing for millions of dollars in fuel and raw material savings for all local government agencies.

CHAS MUSSER

NORTH LAS VEGAS