Editorials

With new years come fresh perspectives, at least in optimistic minds. Here are a few of our hopes for the new year:

We hope the Castañeda Hotel’s purchase comes off without a hitch and its renovation pumps new energy into the Railroad and New Town districts. This imposing edifice from the olden days of East Las Vegas is long overdue for a massive makeover, and we’re hopeful that buyer Sloane McFarland makes the best of it. May he have strong community support in his efforts.

THUMBS DOWN! SIGNIFICANT SETBACKS. Just as we were thinking the city was making some progress toward a long-term fix for its ongoing water problems, here comes word that (1) it’s going to take a lot more than the millions of dollars already expected to go into the city’s aging reservoirs and that (2) more than a quarter million dollars had to be dumped into repairing a single — but massive — water leak by the treatment plant north of town.

Years ago, someone wrote an essay that carried a Christian message, but much more. It’s a testament to the life of a single man, Jesus of Nazareth, who’s message grew to have a deep and lasting impact upon the entire world. We have reprinted it below. Regardless of your beliefs, we hope you will agree that it speaks to the spirit of Christmas day, when love and life are celebrated.

In the wake of the terrifying massacre in Newtown, Conn., where 20 little children and six educators were killed by a lone gunman, the nation has started up yet another debate over guns. Only this time, President Obama is weighing in.