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LETTER
Rockers seek to stop Red Rock development
Tools
To the editor:
As members of the rock band The Killers, we don't usually get involved in local politics. When we learned how Red Rock Canyon is being threatened, however, we wanted to do all we could to help. Timing is urgent.
Right now, with countless empty homes already in our valley, a developer is trying to build new homes for more than 14,000 residents on a property right in the middle of Red Rock Canyon -- surrounded by Red Rock on three sides! This development (the size of Boulder City) will eliminate the dark night sky in Red Rock and remove our natural canyon skyline.
Also, constructing this many homes on fine gypsum sand (the site of the old gypsum plant) may well turn Red Rock Canyon to White Dust Canyon. This much building has projected more than 20 years of construction traffic on our scenic highway, also causing relocation of our wild burros and threatening bicyclists.
Every week that we aren't on tour, one or more members of our band is hiking Turtlehead Peak, rock climbing at Red Rock or visiting Bonnie Springs. We grew up in Las Vegas and have spent countless hours on trails out here. Who doesn't love Red Rock?
We can't imagine anyone not wanting to stop this destruction of one of our community's most special places. Let's not allow yet another developer to tear down another piece of our history and culture.
We will be attending the Clark County Commission meeting on Jan. 18 requesting that the county save Red Rock. Everyone concerned should join us and speak out.
Brandon Flowers
Ronnie Vannucci
Mark Stoermer
Dave Keuning
Las Vegas
The writers are members of the rock band The Killers.
Trampling rights
To the editor:
I appreciate your running Alexander Cockburn's op-ed piece about the National Defense Authorization Act in Sunday's newspaper. This act is an outrageous violation of our freedoms and I look forward to future detailed reporting on exactly how the provisions that would allow American citizens to be detained without legal counsel and without being charged and to be moved to detention facilities in other countries were inserted into the bill and by whom.
I'd also like to understand why this has not gotten much attention from the mainstream media.
It's scary that our leaders can't come to agreement on compromises to get our economy and our fiscal house in order, but can agree on a bill that tramples our constitutional rights.
Dave Newton
Las Vegas
Mob wives
To the editor:
I agree with Jane Ann Morrison's description of two of the mob wives as "delusional," and Al Capone's grand-niece Deidre Capone's presentation as "defensive," especially her contention that Al Capone was a "businessman" who was "set up to fall because he was Italian," and that he was resented because he and his brother Ralph were "the first Italian-American millionaires" ("Women married to mobsters make up interesting excuses," Jan. 5 column).
For a plausible explanation of his activities, it's too bad that we didn't hear anything about the historical origins of the Mafia, of which Ms. Capone may not be aware. Camorra and "Black Hand" were transplanted directly onto American soil from Sicily under the leadership of Capone, Luciano and other immigrant hoodlums. The Mafia originated after 1700, at which time most of the important noble families controlled "urban" fiefs, a retained form of feudalism.
Moreover, the church's secretive reign of terror, the Inquisition was still in operation in Sicily until as late as 1782. Perhaps most importantly, if looking for causes, Sicily's social culture continues to feed and enable the Mafia to exist. Political favors, extortion and perjury continue to be standard operating procedure to this day. Reccomandazani (preferments) are the norm for anyone seeking public (and in many cases private) office in Sicily.
While I understand Ms. Capone's fervent wish to reinvent her great-uncle as American as apple pie, it's important to look at the historical past to understand his violent behavior in the early 20th century. While many of us love hearing tales about outlaws who get away with breaking the rules, doing what the average citizen would not consider doing, we should be careful not to blindly romanticize them.
NEAL GRAHAM
LAS VEGAS
Good work
To the editor:
"Homeless" gentleman Ron Bell, accompanied by his cat, Mr. Poop, let the cat out of the bag (no pun intended) when he revealed in Sunday's Review-Journal that he can collect up to $180 per day panhandling by simply sitting on a pedestrian bridge on the Strip looking forlorn.
Not bad!
One hundred and eighty dollars tax free for doing nothing other than sitting in one spot -- as opposed to standing, which might be regarded as confrontational -- dressed shabbily, accompanied by an equally pathetic animal.
I predict that Mr. Bell will soon have plenty of company. Like-minded folks will be looking for easy cash when news of his good fortune gets around. Those bridges are pretty crowded already.
BRUCE BROWN
LAS VEGAS
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The meeting was changed to February 8th because the developer said he needed more time! Still having a rally tomorrow though with a really cool bike ride to red rock and fun runs in summerlin and media rally. www.saveredrock.com
Thank you to The Killers for their support of Save Red Rock! One of the reasons I moved here was the incredible beauty of Red Rock. It provides me my peace and serenity. The idea of a housing community being built in Red Rock and the thousands of cars that will be on the road, the construction vehicles, and our beloved burros being relocated is disgusting to me. We get thousands of visitors a year here because of the beauty of Red Rock. For any and all of you that have ever enjoyed a day riding, running, climbing, sitting, or walking there, please DO NOT let this housing development happen! Come to Life Time Fitness tomorrow morning at 9am and show your support to Save Red Rock. Clark County Commissioners, take notice! Do the right thing!
I'm glad the Killers are standing up & speaking out for our local treasures. There are plenty of empty lots & foreclosed properties. Why build more up in our mountains that we enjoy going to? Preserve what's left of our beautiful landscape!
The Killers share the same commitment to preservation as me and the thousands of other people who continually sign petitos to stop this project.
Lets think long term here people. You allow a untrustworthy - bankrupt - home builder putting a 32,000 person city in the middle.... on top of... and in clear sight of a NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA you are ....for lack of better words.....are stupid. Kiss tourism in the area adios, kiss the outdoor gem we all appreciate adios, kiss ANY view from atop ANY climb hike, bike ridde adios, and get out your gas masks - cause the polution that will hover over the Canyon for the next 20 years in the form of thick dust will be ALL you will see.
Seriously I cannot believe this has even gone this far with the Clark County Commision. Seriously, what are they thinking? The Commisoners Chamber at the last meeting was so jammed packed with people opposing this project that you could barely stand in the hallway and watch the monitors. It is a no brainer to shut this project down. If anyone seriously cares about Red Rock Canyon than simply don't do nothing. Go to the Rally tomorrow at LifeTime Fitness go to the County Meetings, because if you dont - and you love Red Rock Canyon - you might want to find another place to live. It will never be the same. Guarenteed.
When an individual purchases a property, they do so knowing that there is risk. There are no guarantees. The location and geography of the Gypsium property made for upfront complications and the purchaser was aware of those complications. Now that the application process for a Major Project is commencing, the complications and risks are ever more apparent. Is this the problem of the County Commission? No. Is this the problem of the residents of Southern Nevada? No. Should a national treasure be destroyed as a result of a bad land purchase decision? No. The Killers represent the opinion of a vast number of residents of Nevada and tourists alike. Save Red Rock for now and for the future!
I love Red Rock! I'll be joining the Save Red Rock group ride tomorrow, and hope to enjoy riding in the area for years to come. Red Rock is one of my favorite places to ride, and just escape the big city stuff for a while. It's awesome that the Killers are supporting the cause. Thanks to all who have worked to make the area what it is and who fight to keep it that way! www.saveredrock.com !!!!
Saving red rock is very important. Living here and near red rock or the past12 years have really saved my life. I use to be very sedentary, and worked a lot. Got fat nd really out of shape. Since moving near red rock. I got plugged into its natural majestic beauty and vast trio systems to hike and mountain bike. It's truly one of my favorite things to do is see the in rise in red rock. Whether its on a trail road or loop. It's important the city has this great place to o and get outdoors, exercise and connect with nature. We are truly blessed to have it. Please let so what we cn o keep it. Thanks.
I have climbed and traveled in many countries around the world. Red Rocks National Conservation Area is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Its nice to hear people starting to speak for protection to of this special area located right in our back yard. Even if you don't use it, please help protect this area so you don't lose it for the rest of us. And you might want to take a hike someday soon!
As a Las Vegas native who misspent his youth at Red Rock and continues to be an avid climber, I applaud "The Killers" for making this statement about Red Rock. Save it! Does Rhodes really believe we need more houses? There are few places in this world with the caliber of rock climbing found in Red Rock; the climb "Epinephrine" is described as "possibly the best route anywhere." I've climbed Epi before and never tire of it. Red Rock is unique; its wildlife and the solitude a climber/hiker/turtle-hugger can enjoy out there is unsurpassed.
@Willow, Those are nice ideas but as we can see they don't work out as planned. The constitution has been shredded by both wings of the big government party. The governments themselves don't follow their own laws and break them at will, knowing there will be no punishment. As is the case with this Rhoades situation. Those council member were paid off, that is obvious. That is against their own laws. Are the council members afraid of justice? Hardly.