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Opinion

  • LETTER: Mil Gracias

    The SynergyFest committee wishes to thank the many businesses, organizations and individuals who helped to make this year’s fest a success. The fest drew over 500 attendees who talked with our exhibitors, attended workshops, and listened to music. The Sunshine Kids Village, sponsored by Amigos de Rio Gallinas School offered children’s games, crafts and other activities.

  • EDITORIAL: Romero should remain on...

    Las Vegas City Schools Superintendent Rick Romero faces a misdemeanor charge of failure to report child abuse or neglect to law enforcement authorities, as do Athletic Director Mike Yara, former football coach Ray Woods and two former assistant coaches.

    The district attorney’s office alleges that these men failed to notify authorities about allegations that football players sodomized their teammates with broomsticks during a football camp last year.

  • EDITORIAL: Another matter entirely

    In another matter pending before the district, we don’t think high school teacher and coach Jay Quintana should be allowed back into the classroom — not as long as there are legal questions pending about his behavior with students. So far, no criminal charges have been filed against Quintana, but an outstanding tort claim alleges that he had sex, repeatedly and over several years, with a student.

    As long as such a serious issue remains unresolved, parents would be understandably outraged if he were allowed back into the classroom with their children.

  • COLUMN: That reminds me ...

    During the Punic Wars, my high school girlfriend and I went steady by telephone. A house full of teenagers placed demands on our phone, so my slot had to be early in the evening, lest I interfere with my three sisters’ more important calls.

    One time, after having been on the line for an ungodly amount of time — six minutes — I mentioned something in Mad Magazine.

  • EDITORIAL: Impetus to move ahead

    At the behest of a small group of concerned citizens (including the publisher of this newspaper), a Highlands University class took on a divisive local issue, conducted a survey, and produced evidence that, well, maybe the issue isn’t as divisive as one might think.

    In doing so, the professor and her class may just have given Las Vegas what it needs to honestly confront the issue.

  • LETTER: In son's name, a call...

    It has been nearly six months since Jan. 15, since our son Mikey has been gone. His dreams were shattered when his young life came to an abrupt end and our hearts were broken, but today we remember how strong our faith in God is and in his promises to us, and we know that Michael is in Heaven and that he is watching over all of us, his friends and relatives, and his fellow residents of Las Vegas, for he was a “Vegas boy.”

  • LETTER: Remember to shop locally

    Please tell the readership of the Optic that shopping at home saves the consumer dollars and keeps local businesses in business.

    We are currently building a home near Sapello and needed more building supplies. I received quotes from local suppliers and those in Santa Fe. A Las Vegas supplier came in lower. Is there any doubt where we will shop? Time, gas and dollars saved staying at home.

    Having been a merchant in a small town located near a city, I know the value of shopping locally and supporting the local merchants.

    Linda Anderle

    Sapello

  • COLUMN: It's hard to say no to...

    If people want to get issues before the Las Vegas City Council, they have to meet a city deadline for their requests —  5 p.m. the Monday the week before a council meeting.

    That doesn’t always happen. As a result, the no-exceptions policy sometimes results in, well, exceptions. And that creates some confusion at times.

    Councilman Morris Madrid has a solution: The city manager should enforce the deadline for everyone, including the mayor and City Council.

  • LETTER: Dirty industry threatening...

    Question:  Do we want Mora to remain “agricultural” with our scarce precious water protected or “industrial” with water gone or polluted?

    We are now on the brink of a disastrous takeover by Corporate America reminiscent of the land grant takeovers of old.  

    Some recent examples of happenings elsewhere:

  • EDITORIAL: Thumbs

    Thumb DOWN for ... ANOTHER HORRIFYING TRAGEDY. Heartfelt sympathy left Las Vegas for Santa Fe this week in the aftermath of a tragedy that we’re all too familiar with. Last weekend, three teenage girls and one teenage boy were killed in a collision with a suspected drunken driver who was reportedly going the wrong way on the Old Las Vegas Highway just outside Santa Fe. The suspect survived, as did the girl who was driving the car that was hit.

  • LETTER: Praise for profile on Nash...

    The Optic’s profile on Nash Lucero (June 26 edition) was magnificent. (Great writing by Lupita P. Gonzales). Nash has been my friend and mentor all my life. He is an artisan and craftsman of the old school and of the highest order, who values honor and a true work ethic in all he does. I wish I possessed just half his intellect and wisdom.

    For those of you new to Las Vegas, please read the story. You will then know why this is such a special place. It’s the people, and Nash Lucero is the best example of the “stuff” we’re made of here.

  • LETTER: Police harassment and more...

    In response to “Cop abused woman” published May 20, I am not surprised to read that Martin Salazar (alleged) acted in such an unprofessional manner. My son and husband have endured harassment (too).

  • LETTER: Safety and relationships

    Again it is time to celebrate the longtime tradition of our Fourth of July independence.

    This is just great and fun. We must be careful and be safe. Respect one another and be friendly. We all join in together to celebrate this wonderful event.

    No need to be angry and unfriendly. Citizens and out-of-town visitors should respect the law and our fellow police officers.

    Police officers are here to help us. When we need protection and services, who do we call but our police (peace officers), right?

  • LETTER: Article was insensitive

    I am responding to your article on June 26th that provided details on the house on Tilden that the city is evidently targeting. I do know some of the history of the situation.

  • LETTER: Smoking by door is not...

    I am currently a youth advocate against tobacco use in and around my community. As I have gone to several businesses around town, I have had to walk past people smoking next to the door. The Dee Johnson Clean Indoor Air Act is a law that was passed in 2007, which eliminated indoor smoking in any public place. This law provides designated areas for smoking but these areas must be away for any doorways, windows, or ventilation systems to prevent secondhand smoke from entering the building.

  • COLUMN: Turning the tide?

    A lot of people had high hopes for Las Vegas Mayor Tony Marquez when he took office in March 2008. A relatively young guy, he seemed to represent the change that so many people sought.

    Three months after his election, the mayor convinced a City Council majority to fire six department directors, but he didn’t find replacements right away. In fact, the city didn’t fill most of the vacant posts until more than six months later.

  • EDITORIAL: Fiestas and freedom

    It’s hard to describe the Fiestas de Las Vegas in only a few words and do it justice. One can look at the schedule and see a wide variety of activities and events — a parade, a reína’s baile, a holy mass, a fishing expedition, a run/walk, a tribute to veterans, fireworks, street dancing and lots and lots of musica — which begs the question, what ties all this together?

  • EDITORIAL: Constitution trumps...

    A public official’s most important duty is obedience to the U.S. Constitution. That’s why the Las Vegas Housing Authority must immediately strike its provision allowing for warrantless searches of houses.

  • COLUMN: They leave by twos and...

    Famous people die in threes, as in Ed McMahon, Farah Fawcett Majors and Michael Jackson. Important people, not necessarily famous, pass away in pairs.

    Two people who have been close to my family, though probably unacquainted with each other, are Robert W. Johnston and Nea Escudero.

    First Bob.

    The name Johnston in Las Vegas is much less common than Johnson, without the “t.” Robert K. Johnston, a prolific writer of letters to the editor, for a time was confused with the Robert with a W in his name. I know both.

  • LETTER: Production class was a...

    Support for the film industry in Las Vegas is alive and moving forward. On June 13, a workshop was held for those interested in becoming employed in the film industry as a production assistant. Eighteen “students” attended and were instructed in many aspects of the industry, from preparing a resume, using a walkie-talkie to proper etiquette expected on a film set.