Letter: Ride good for neighborhood

Tuesday, June 4, 2002 | 8:54 a.m.

I am the executive steward at the Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower. I oversee a staff of 102 full- and part-time employees.

Many of them live in the neighborhoods around the Stratosphere. The majority of these hard-working men and women are in favor of the Stratosphere's proposed amusement attraction.

This issue is not about noise. The proposed amusement attraction will have enclosed passenger cars and polyurethane wheels on a flat track.

To us, the proposed attraction is about meat and potatoes, shelter, clothing and educating our children. It is about opportunity.

Las Vegas was built on opportunity and challenge. The opportunity was and is tourism. We cannot survive without it.

We are constantly challenged to find new ways to draw more visitors to the north end of the Strip.

We must give them an experience that they will never forget, and a reason to forgo the multitude of attractions on the Strip's south end.

New projects like the proposed amusement attraction can draw tourists, support worthwhile area businesses and increase the quality of life in the neighborhoods.

On Wednesday I can only hope the Las Vegas City Council is visionary and vigilant in approving the proposed amusement attraction for the benefit of the whole neighborhood -- businesses and residents alike.

JOHN SMITH