Letters to the Editor

I read your article in yesterday’s edition with great interest ("Black widows, desert browns are apt to make your skin crawl," Oct. 30). When my family and I first moved to Vegas from San Diego in ’86, we had an apartment in the Summerlin area when civilization ended at Rainbow. I remember show-and-tell teaching to my two young ones about the "bad" desert animals: black widows, scorpions, rattlesnakes and centipedes.

Today, my wife and I live in the middle of the city (Tropicana and Eastern avenues) with a huge lot and ample vegetation: palms, oleanders, cedars, etc. We usually have a plethora of widows around the house (cinder bricks, you know). I leave ’em alone all summer, as they’re great pest predators. However, just before fall and egg sac laying, I kill them off. Pity, but don’t want the young ones to set up in my house.

Only twice has a desert brown gotten into the house. And in all the years I’ve been here, I’ve yet to see a tarantula.

Erik Robert Francis Batzloff

Las Vegas

WALKABILITY IN SUNRISE NOT UP TO PAR

I have lived in the 89121 ZIP code for almost 36 years.

At a point, a health issue necessitated my need for a mobility scooter. Although I still drive when the weather is nice, I use my scooter to get around the neighborhood. The view from close to the ground gave me a whole new perspective on accessibility, and it wasn’t pretty.

I realize this section of the county (East Tropicana Avenue and South Mojave/Pecos roads) is considered old and was developed before Americans with Disabilities Act laws came into play, but the situation is dangerous for many residents. Montara Meadows, an independent senior living facility, sits on the northwest corner of Tropicana and Mojave, across the street from a strip center anchored by a Walmart. Many of the residents at Montara Meadows walk or use mobility equipment to get to that center. Sidewalks are narrow, cracked and broken. Utility boxes, poles and bus benches (one of which was wiped out by a reckless driver about a year ago) obstruct the walkways. Traffic signals are poorly timed, and curb cuts, where there are any, are inadequate and most dangerous. Some of the problems could probably be redone without spending too much of the taxpayers’ money.

In 2006, I contacted one of my elected representatives, (former) Clark County Commissioner Dario Herrera. He showed no interest in the problems, although his community liaison, Blanca Vazquez, pretty much on her own, did about a one-hour walking tour with me. She took lots of notes and expressed surprise at what she saw. Certainly not Blanca’s fault, but only one of the problems was ever corrected: a long-broken crosswalk button at the corner of Tropicana and Pecos was finally repaired.

Sadly, it appears these issues are something we just have to learn to live with.

E. Lynn

Las Vegas

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