Columnist Ruthe Deskin: New Nevada Power motto: ‘Charge!’

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, Aug. 30, 2001 | 8:29 a.m.

Ruthe Deskin is assistant to the publisher. Reach her at deskin@ lasvegassun.com.

Nevada Power Company has taken out ads in local newspapers explaining how it is making our power bills easier to read.

The ads do not explain rate increases, but that's another story.

Also not included, but thoroughly detailed in a short message with the latest billing, is an explanation of a new charge.

It's the "Low Income Assistance Fund" or "Universal Energy Charge" passed by the state Legislature to fund the State of Nevada Welfare and Housing Division's energy assistance program.

Although the added charge is relatively small for homeowners, some Nevada Power customers are objecting to it as a matter of principle.

"I don't mind helping those less fortunate, but I would like to be able to choose my own method of doing so," one Sun reader complained.

There are several questions one might ponder about the charge and the moneys that will be generated. Who will monitor the program? How much will it cost to administer? Will the money collected go directly to the state?

Surely, all these questions were answered by state legislators, who, in their ultimate wisdom, passed the law.

They call it progress.

It's a rather common sight to see exasperated homeowners pleading their cases before planning boards and city or county officials.

Recently I watched a City Council meeting where several homeowners in an upscale neighborhood were objecting to zone changes that would allow office complexes to be built in their area.

In most cases the developer appears with expensive lawyers, rolls of maps and visuals. The homeowners often present themselves with little but emotion on their side.

Several Desert Inn Road homeowners have recently threatened to sue Steve Wynn, whose elaborate plans for a new hotel-casino threaten their homes.

Chances of winning this battle are as remote as they were in 1974, when residential areas in the same location were razed for the construction of the current Desert Inn property.

Whether it is being forced to move from a mobile home or a mansion, it's heartbreak and disillusionment for the occupant. Home is more than just a building. Memories should never have to be sold.

One woman explained, "We bought in this area because we thought it was restricted. Now we are being told it isn't so."

Developers have a habit of making statements that aren't quite true -- or, perhaps, were true until circumstances changed things. A convenience store on the corner, a hotel-casino in a quiet neighborhood, office buildings in a residential area all come in the name of progress.

One senior development sold out quickly because of the promise of a building that would feature a pleasant way of living for elderly people who might not be able to manage without certain amenities. Before anyone knew what happened 300 rental apartments were built on the empty land. The hapless buyers of rather expensive homes and villas in the project were left holding the bag.

Even the desert tortoises get more consideration when they are uprooted from their desert homes.

It's growth. As one public official flatly stated: "You can't stop progress -- and who would want to?"

Sometimes I wonder.