A disdain for the right of the people
To the editor:
The Review-Journal's July 30 article "Term limits debate goes on," was enlightening, exposing the arguments against and the tactics planned to override a voter-imposed constitutional amendment (again).
Argument No. 1: The staff and lobbyists would run everything.
Really? The power of both is rooted in the long-term relationships with the most senior members of the Legislature. Breaking that way-too-comfortable and static environment of collegiality and friendship is not the worst thing that could happen to the institution, by any means.
Argument No. 2: Voters have the right to choose who they want.
Again, really? Check with the registrar of voters. See how many Republican vs. Democratic voters there are in your state Senate and Assembly district. Virtually every district is gerrymandered at least 2-to-1 in favor of one party over the other. Most long-term incumbents will stay on, unchallenged, as long as they want.
Regionalism, North vs. South, also feeds the power of incumbency, but term limits gave the people of Nevada an opportunity to come together and speak with one voice, which they did, loud and clear -- twice.
It should not surprise anyone that those with an insatiable hunger for power would turn to the judiciary to get what they want. What other branch has such a proven track record of disdain for the right of the people to alter the ground rules under which government functions?
Knight Allen
LAS VEGAS
Quid pro quo
To the editor:
Ed Vogel's July 30 article on term limits and the Review-Journal's follow-up editorial gave tremendous insight as to the nefarious machinations in Carson City.
I often wondered why the Legislature remained silent over the years while the judiciary trashed the state constitution and the will of the people.
The reason is now becoming clear: Give the judiciary no opposition, and when the legislators need a big favor, like overturning term limits, the judiciary can comply and complete the quid pro quo.
Can anyone stop a runaway judiciary and look-the-other-way Legislature?
Edward duffy
LAS VEGAS
Personalized plates
To the editor:
Having just read the plight of Stacy Moore and her personalized license plate (Review-Journal, July 31), my blood is boiling over because of the hypocritical stance taken by a pious Department of Motor Vehicles, which demanded she relinquish a plate she has owned for 20 years.
All of this hoopla was brought about by the objection of just one overly sensitive resident of Sin City. I say to that person: Get a life.
I see on a daily basis many plates that, to anyone with an IQ of more than 40, can have double meanings. No doubt, the obsessed complainer is too dumb to figure those out or more of the same would be forthcoming.
What about grandfather clauses? What about the extra money Ms. Moore has paid all of these years for her plate? Will there be a refund?
If there is anyone out there with a name like Frank David Merle Valentine who would like to have his initials on a personalized license plate, I'd be happy to pay for it.
John Tudor
LAS VEGAS
Illegal act
To the editor:
In response to the recent sentencing of Erin Kenny, the former Clark County commissioner, on corruption convictions:
Crimes were committed to change the zoning of the land beneath the CVS pharmacy at Buffalo Drive and Desert Inn Road. It is time now to pursue legal action to return the land back to the original zoning.
The fate of the pharmacy due to the return to original zoning should be solely the responsibility of CVS and all who were involved in the illegal zone change.
Joseph Hans
LAS VEGAS
Taking a ride
To the editor:
In his Monday letter, Gary Olszewski referred to the extremely efficient CAT bus system as a joke. Well, it is evident that Mr. Olszewski has no idea that Las Vegans ride the system millions of times yearly.
The Deuce on the Strip is standing-room only. The Flamingo, Tropicana and Boulder Highway routes are just a few examples of extremely busy CAT routes. There are some low-rider routes in a few local areas, and the Regional Transportation Commission is aware of that. The commission keeps them to serve the local residents.
Mr. Olszewski refers to most buses running late. That definitely is not the case. Most buses are running on time. There are times that traffic flow, accidents and wheelchair riders can delay some buses, but this is not routine.
I am sure that if Mr. Olszewski took the time to go to the RTC, he would find that the CAT bus system is on time in the high 90 percent range.
He refers to valley officials having no long-term plans in place. The RTC and the cities in the Las Vegas Valley work together and plan 25 years into the future. They also work with the public to continue improving our transportation systems.
The only accurate statement by Mr. Olszewski was his reference to the Las Vegas Monorail. But this system uses no public tax dollars. It is a privately funded company.
Jacob Snow, the general manager of the RTC, has put together a team that has made several effective changes to our transportation systems. The future plans for rapid transit in the valley are now on our doorstep and will be a reality very soon. Just look at the MAX and the double-decker buses now running on some local routes. These buses are also full.
Instead of criticizing our transportation system, maybe Mr. Olszewski should volunteer and get involved in improving any deficiencies he may see.
I am sure the RTC would be willing to place him on a committee.
leonard bukofsky
HENDERSON
On camera
To the editor:
In reference to the letter to the editor by Ron Moers on Tuesday regarding Sherman Frederick's Sunday column on traffic cameras:
I have a column from the Arizona Republic in Phoenix headlined, "Detested cameras do job, fill coffers," written by columnist Laurie Roberts.
She says that the city of Scottsdale installed traffic cameras on just 6.5 miles of their state Highway 101 "loop" in a pilot program a year ago.
She reports that they "netted a profit of $3.6 million over nine months. ... Scottsdale cleared $800,000, the courts got nearly $500,000 and the state saw a tidy $2.3 million. ...
"Go statewide, and our governor could extend all-day kindergarten all the way to Maine."
The conclusion is that although everyone hates the cameras, they slowed traffic and reduced the number of crashes as well as leaving the state flush with money.
Teresa B. Purvis
LAS VEGAS
