Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Fix was in at Yucca hearing

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, Sept. 13, 2001 | 8:22 a.m.

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

We came. We saw. They conquered.

The Department of Energy's public hearing on the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste plan was a farce. If ever a fight was rigged, this was it.

As hundreds of protesters awaited their turn to speak, the DOE's handpicked proponents -- some from out of state -- were given prime time.

As the hours ticked by, disgruntled would-be participants began to leave without having had the opportunity to be heard.

Some remained until the bitter end at about 2 a.m., but their protests were heard by a dwindling crowd. It was a blatant example of the arrogance of power by the DOE and the federal government.

I have personal knowledge of what federal agencies can do, as I have been privy to a vendetta against a young rancher and his family in Northern Nevada. They made a mistake. They took their case to court and won. Since that time they have been harassed, bullied and driven to near bankruptcy.

Of the people, by the people and for the people is a bleak promise.

Nevada's elected officials -- every one of them -- are diligent in their opposition to making Nevada the nuclear trash can of the nation. Hundreds, yes thousands, of residents object to the autocratic DOE and its efforts to shove Yucca Mountain down our throats.

Fairness demands more hearings that are properly monitored so that all sides might be heard. Otherwise, as Rodney Dangerfield would say, "We don't get no respect."

Note to the mayor and City Council:

For a small portion of that $500,000 set aside for a feasibility study of the best use for the 61-acre downtown development, let's put together a committee of local sports writers and sports enthusiasts and let them report on determining the success or failure of a baseball park in that area.

They probably would point to the mediocre career of minor league baseball at Cashman Field.

I know what it is to try to promote baseball in Las Vegas. Years ago my husband was the business manager for the Las Vegas Wranglers, who played at the old Cashman Field, a far cry from the present facility. It was a nip-and-tuck battle to entice enough fans to meet the club payroll.

If baseball can't succeed at the new Cashman Field, what makes anyone think it would be successful elsewhere? Parking at Cashman Field is more than adequate. Would it be the same downtown?

It is relatively easy to get to Cashman. Not so in the proposed area. Would Major League Baseball approve a franchise in Las Vegas? I doubt it.

City taxpayers need to watch this one carefully. Would the time come when the city would ask for public financing to assist in building a new ballpark?

As a recent Sun editorial suggested: "You don't need to spend money to know that a minor league baseball team would have a tough time in Las Vegas."

Sports franchises in our city are tough propositions. Examples abound, not only at Cashman Field, but in football, hockey, basketball and even volleyball.

There might even be better ways to spend "feasibility" money. How about solutions to the problems of the homeless?