Water grab helps only greedy developers

To the editor:

Anyone who cares about the beauty of our state should be outraged by State Engineer Jason King's decision to allow the Southern Nevada Water Authority to tap arid aquifers ("Ruling opens rural tap," Friday Review-Journal). As a resident of Las Vegas for 20 years and someone who spends a great deal of time in our wonderful backcountry, I cannot believe that we are going to allow this to happen.

And I am apparently not alone. As the article stated, 20,000 others commented on this plan, "most of them in opposition." So much for the will of the people.

Individuals and organizations committed to keeping eastern Nevada's water where it is should continue to fight this bad decision. Great Basin Water Network should absolutely appeal. There are plenty of conservation measures we can put into effect here to subsist on our Colorado River allotment -- a notable omission in the article. Why no mention of any voices with ideas on how to make the water we have last?

The only winners in a decision like this are the developers who hope to turn us into Phoenix or Los Angeles. Study the history of the Owens Valley: a farming community devastated to feed the greed of developers. Eastern Nevada represents a unique heritage that cannot be found in many places anymore, and its people and wildlife are too important to sacrifice to greed. I will fight this plan as long as I live here, and I encourage others to do so, as well.

William Huggins

Las Vegas

Already convicted

To the editor:

Now our president has made it personal by weighing in on the controversial killing of a black teenager in Florida. It kind of reminds me of the infamous beer summit, where the president weighed in on a racially charged police matter before he had all the facts.

Now, it seems, there is an eyewitness who saw the whole incident, and he states that Trayvon Martin was attacking George Zimmerman, who was calling out for help. When the police questioned Mr. Zimmerman, he was bloodied, had grass stains on the back of his shirt, and his shirt back was wet, all indicative of a struggle as described by the witness.

Also, Mr. Zimmerman's repeated calls for help can be heard on the 911 call tape. This is why Mr. Zimmerman was never arrested.

Meanwhile, Mr. Zimmerman has already been tried and convicted by the print press, TV media, the Miami Heat and President Obama. In addition, the New Black Panther Party has put up "Wanted Dead or Alive" posters offering a $10,000 reward to anyone who apprehends or kills Mr. Zimmerman. And there is no outcry over this.

We already know that Attorney General Eric Holder and the Justice Department will not prosecute the New Black Panther Party for intimidating voters at the polls in 2008, so I suppose they will decline to go after them over these posters, too.

Our president campaigned as the great uniter. Instead he has been the great divider.

Warren Willis Sr.

Las Vegas

Hold a vote

To the editor:

I would like for D. Taylor of the Culinary union and Richard Trumka of the AFL-CIO to explain why they have never followed the law regarding organizing workers at Station Casinos properties.

Congress enacted the National Labor Relations Act in 1935 to protect the rights of employees and employers, to encourage collective bargaining and to curtail certain private-sector labor and management practices, which can harm the general welfare of workers, businesses and the U.S. economy.

Since 1935, there has been an accepted process by which workers can exercise their right to unionize. All the steps are laid out in the law, and there is nothing that the employer (in this case Station Casinos) can do to prevent the process from taking place.

The law requires that 30 percent of employees in the group each sign a card requesting union representation. The National Labor Relations Board then schedules an election by secret ballot. If the election results in a victory for the union, then negotiations begin between union and employer. If the vote rejects the union, then no union can attempt to organize that employer for a minimum of 12 months.

Mr. Taylor and Mr. Trumka are apparently afraid to put the issue to a vote as specified in federal law. Why? Could it be that they fear they would lose a fair secret-ballot election? What other reason could there be?

Let's put the process into place and see what the results will be. How about it, Mr. Taylor? The people of Las Vegas are sick and tired of your nonsense and want it over, one way or another.

David Adams

Las Vegas

Trading places

To the editor:

In her Thursday letter, Annette Tekely bemoans the fact that Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman was photographed giving a week's worth of groceries to a senior citizen who quite possibly has enough money for cable TV and cigarettes. Big deal.

When I see what appear to be destitute people with signs along the roadways, I give them a couple of bucks. It doesn't hurt me and I don't care if they want to spend it on alcohol or cigarettes. I also don't care if it's a scam in the summer. Would you stand out there in 105-degree weather?

Instead of judging this situation without all of the facts, I have a better idea. Why doesn't Ms. Tekely trade places with this person for a month?

Kipp Altemara

Las Vegas