LETTERS: Metro’s mission doesn’t need more tax funds
To the editor:
Sheriff Doug Gillespie doesn’t need much to hoodwink the Clark County Commission. Here is a government body that believes a middle-aged woman selling cold water for a $1 is a threat to the casino industry — which wants you to pay $4 or more for the same bottle of water inside the casinos.
The sheriff, as a responsible elected official, needs to identify minimal staffing requirements to meet his mission statement. When and only when the mission statement is not met by his staff should a sales tax increase even be considered.
This newspaper previously reported this year the high salaries and benefits packages paid by Clark County taxpayers to Metro officers, some of whom made over $500,000 in total compensation. Hold the sheriff’s feet to the fire if he has the gall to ask for more tax monies without doing his homework.
Perhaps the sheriff can justify adding another 100 or more officers for the sole purpose of issuing $250 citations to the thousands of Girl Scouts selling their cookies without a city or county license.
As a federal efficiency expert (retired Navy), I could point out inconsistencies in the sheriff’s budget. But then again, the Clark County Commission is not wired for saving taxpayer money, but rather just spends it.
Come on Sheriff Gillespie, let’s be transparent. Put everything on the table before you ask for more — including the cold water you took from a homeless vendor.
GARY G. HILL
LAUGHLIN
Metro compensation
To the editor:
I’d guess that Metropolitan Police Department officers average over $100,000 a year in total compensation. Whatever happened to supply and demand? If these officers were instead averaging $75,000 a year in total compensation, for every three officers now employed, Metro could add another officer. These officers risk their lives, but nobody holds a gun to their heads, demanding they take these jobs. People will accept these jobs at lesser pay rates.
Metro will one day bankrupt Las Vegas like the automobile unions did Detroit.
KIPP ALTEMARA
LAS VEGAS
Water woes
To the editor:
Regarding your Aug. 8 article on the drought (“River Woes”), surely the comments made by Southern Nevada Water Authority chief Pat Mulroy were in jest. She thinks the time has come for some federal disaster aid.
“This is as much an extreme weather event as Sandy was on the East Coast. Does a drought not rise to the same level as a storm?”
Sorry, but no, it does not.
The reason for our water shortage is our lack of common sense with respect to growth. When the artesian wells no longer had water, two straws were built from Lake Mead to a facility to deliver water to Boulder City, Henderson and Las Vegas.
As the Colorado River received less and less snow runoff, there was less water for Lake Mead. The panic started. A bigger straw must be built. Construction is still in process after accidents and delays.
The water from Lake Mead provides water for 90 percent of Las Vegas Valley. But this is not a federal disaster.
If you only have enough water for a certain number of people, logic dictates that you should not continue building for more people. Taking water from other areas so that we can continue to grow is unconscionable.
Jackie MacFarlane
Las Vegas
When the Sun goes down
To the editor:
Reading recent letters decrying those who rejoice at the anticipated demise of the Las Vegas Sun insert in the Review-Journal, I believe the writers have missed the point by a wide margin. Like many other conservatives, I welcome knowing what the other side thinks and is doing. We don’t wear blinders, as many liberals do. We simply do not agree with the left on many issues, and with regard to the Sun, paying to have the leftist philosophy thrust into our faces every day is the issue.
Those on the left are free to establish their own newspaper, and sell subscriptions and advertising to keep it afloat. Hopefully the free ride is over, and the Sun is welcome to make it on its own. If it can.
MARK CRAVEN
LAS VEGAS
Missing news
To the editor:
The Review-Journal chose to put a spy photographer of new cars on Sunday’s front page. But what was not reported last weekend was that Ayo Kimathi, a Department of Homeland Security employee, was put on leave (paid of course) for his racist website that calls for a war on whites.
Mr. Kimathi also cited numerous black celebrities and politicians as traitors, calling President Barack Obama “a treasonous mulatto scum dweller.” He also preached against whites and homosexuals, and he came out against blacks who integrate with other races. Why didn’t the Review-Journal think this was worth reporting?
JUDY SMITH
LAS VEGAS
Syrian intervention
To the editor:
Here we go again. It looks like the United States wants to get involved in Syria. France appears to be on board. They usually are until the casualities mount.
We can’t afford more war, more lost lives and treasure. Let them kill each other. Why do we want to save the lives of people who hate us and would kill us? If Iran and Syria attack Israel, Iraq will look like a walk in the park. I can see the first pictures of collateral damage from missile strikes. We should keep our big noses and flat wallets out of it.
CHARLES MITCHELL
NORTH LAS VEGAS
