Letters to the Editor

I have the privilege of reading the Summerlin View each week. In particular, I truly enjoy the pet-friendly articles that I find in there. Earlier this year, I moved into a condo and received an HOA violation, citing that tenants/renters are not allowed to have any pets. Only owners are allowed to have them.

Also I found out that there were many tenants who had to move because of this. Yes, the rule was in the CC&R s, and yes, it is the responsibility of the property management companies to advise potential tenants of this, but that is not the point that I would like to make.

I am in a nice community where rent is in my budget, the neighbors are great, and I feel safe, and yet I cannot have my dog. One of the board members told me that many people have appealed this rule and never once were any of the decisions reversed. In preparation of moving, I started looking for similar communities in the area and found out that they, too, have this rule. I had never heard of this practice but, to my alarm, this is starting to become a common practice with the HOAs in Las Vegas.

It is not new news that HOAs do not want a high number of tenants, and to a small degree, I agree. However, I, like many other pet owners, am a very responsible pet owner/tenant and would have appreciated a chance to prove that. This HOA has had several responsible pet owners leave the community only to add to the number of empty homes.

My heart is broken. It is expensive to move and very difficult to find decent affordable housing with great neighbors. This situation is so frustrating and sad, and for what?

-- Sandra Smith

Las Vegas

Editor's note: View plans to publish a series of stories addressing homeowners associations April 26. Readers who would like to contribute to the discussion are encouraged to contact their View reporter.

THE 'NEW' LAS VEGAS ISN'T A PRETTY SIGHT

Over the years, you and I both have seen a change in this great place called Las Vegas. With the old hitting bottom and the new rising above, times are changing. Vegas was once flourishing with tourists and is soon to become a ghost town if something is not done.

You may not believe it, but one day it shall be a thing of the past. The parks will be the only thing to see. We are No. 1 in foreclosures, and our unemployment is the highest in the nation. Joblessness is growing stronger. And you can ask around; the (slot) machines are so tight they squeak when you walk by. I used to go three, maybe four times a week. Now (I go) just once a week or even skip a week. There is nothing like the satisfaction of sitting back and receiving a win once in a while. But we all know it's not there anymore; 95 percent of the machines are house machines, as we locals call them. It's now a population explosion of losing as we talk around the clubhouse.

People are still moving out, just walking away from what they got; (there are) 20,000 people out of work here, and the president says, "Things are picking up." Sure, if you work for the garbage company.

Are we or are we not going to see things turn around?

Take a drive around. There are more stores out of business than in business, and this will go on for years to come. Why? Because everyone is worried about tomorrow.

-- Jeff Guillot

Las Vegas

Nevada's education needs our help

Having lived in Southern Nevada for 50 years and seen the constant disregard for public education over the years by those legislatures and governors looking out for the best interests of themselves and certain businesses in our state, (i.e., mining, gaming, etc.), it comes as no surprise to me that Nevada cannot and will not be able to diversify by attracting new businesses. We will continue down the same path of self-destruction until our state is no more.

Perhaps there are still some in Carson City who can work toward doing what's best for Nevada and all its residents and not just those that are most "persuasive" in their lobbying efforts.

These current cuts impacting our public education sector and those Nevada f amilies shouldering the enormous tax burden, so that our Gov. Sandoval can say he isn't raising taxes for the rest of the "privileged," will collapse public education in Nevada to a point where it will never recover. Like a house of cards, our entire state economy will go from where it is now to disaster. Mass exodus from our state by t eachers and their families, a reduced tax base from those steady tax-paying f amilies, more foreclosed homes from those leaving that are upside down in their homes, and an even less favorable view toward attracting outside businesses and their families to this "New Nevada," which will certainly rank 50th in the nation funding for public education.

Having grown up in Nevada, raised two children, spent a lifetime educating thousands in the CCSD and UNLV s ystems, I can only say the sacrifices you make today to take a stand for what's right for all Nevadans determines the short and long-term success or failure of this great state.

-- Bart Boulton

Las Vegas