Rebel Yell - Opinion
Issue: 08/26/02

Red Rock should be saved from development

Classy is not a word to define Las Vegas. Even the Bellagio Hotel has slime on the walls. When a California-based housing development firm decided it was time to make strides in boosting the population near Red Rock canyon by generating 8,400 million-dollar homes, we knew money grubbers hit a new low.

Red Rock Canyon, a national conservation area and home to some of the most beautiful sights in the world, is looking for help from the County Commission. John Laing Homes, the company that proposes the growth, is seeking approval to turn an 80-year old mining operation overlooking Red Rock Canyon into a community of homes, schools and stores increasing the population in the area by 3,500 percent. Residents of the neighboring community of Blue Diamond won't hear of it and are awaiting a vote from the Red Rock Citizen Advisory Council. Hopefully, it will be a quick, painless death.

Mayor Oscar Goodman said in a press conference last week that even though this matter is out of his district and ultimately his hands, it would be a shame if such an idea would follow through to completion.

The only local spot where you can escape the smog and tourists is also the only place that nullifies the sparkle that labels our town cultureless.

Teenagers make out at Red Rock. Nature lovers find peace at Red Rock. Producers use Red Rock as a backdrop for cinematic masterpieces. Grandmothers from all over the country get closer to God at Red Rock. Why would anyone want to litter our beloved sweet spot with Mercedes-driving, cell phone-gabbing snobs. That's what Summerlin is for.

At a public information forum last week, hundreds of concerned mud-slingers shot daggers at John Laing Homes representatives when the most important question of the night was uttered by a 12-year old girl who stepped up to the mic and asked, "Is there any other reason to do this besides money?" The crowd applauded.

Hopefully, the county will turn this request down and leave the snowy tips and burnt umber hills vacant. Until then, the citizens of Blue Diamond will continue to worry while rest of the valley explodes over a $5 bill tucked neatly in some stripper's G-string.