Letter: Heading back to Spokane from ‘Livable Las Vegas’

Thursday, Aug. 21, 1997 | 11:03 a.m.

If actions speak louder than words, there's a lot of screaming going on! "All for me, to hell with you" attitudes.

Forty mph speed limit on Las Vegas Boulevard South, three-to-four-minute waits at traffic signals (I've timed them), 35 mph and 45 mph on Industrial Road, one block west of the Strip and other areas.

We left Spokane, Wash., Oct 23, 1996, and headed for Dallas, Texas. Major road expenses in Idaho cut our funds, and we wound up in Las Vegas. My fiance has family here. Why did we leave Spokane? Snow. I was tired of it (snowflakes). But the rest of the "flakes" around here are making the snowflakes in Spokane look great.

Some suggestions: 1) Cut the length of time at traffic signals to 1 1/2 minutes. 2) Lower the speed limits to 25 and 30 mph -- give your pedestrians a chance to cross the streets. 3) Make your traffic signals two-way vs. four-way. 4) Put cameras (as Spokane is doing) at major intersections to capture the numerous red-light runners -- with photos of vehicle, date, time and driver. Ticket is mailed to the offender.

Your police officers could also: 1) Obey traffic laws -- bicycle cops ride through red lights. 2) Stop at all stop signs (a California stop is not a full stop). 3) Use the turn signals on their vehicles (civilians, too). I've seen an awful lot of officers showing themselves as bad examples instead of the good examples they should be.

I haven't found anyone who "enjoys living here." We're returning to Spokane and the snowflakes ASAP. I did find a business opportunity that I'm taking with me -- thank you for that.

Sometimes you have to leave an area to really appreciate what's there.

Good luck on making Livable Las Vegas.

Catherine Armatage

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