Letter: Ashamed of tacky image Las Vegas is promoting

Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003 | 8:52 a.m.

I applaud Jeff German's Sept. 28 column, "Las Vegas sells sex, but pays price in social ills." As a resident of the Las Vegas Valley for almost 40 years, reading that column prompted me to voice my opinion in this public forum.

In our travels, my husband and I have met people who regarded us awkwardly when we mentioned we lived in Las Vegas. We always made sure they understood that Las Vegas was a great community, probably like their hometown.

But now it would be impossible to disagree with those people who turn up their noses when they find out where we live. There is a proliferation of strip clubs along with adult bookstores the size of department stores. Billboards advertise "gentlemen's clubs" and the X-rated shows found in major Strip hotels. The ads are indiscriminately placed all over town, on major streets, not just in isolated, industrial areas.

In addition, many of our elected public officials have recently conducted themselves abhorrently.

It's the current advertising campaign, however, that especially disturbs me. In essence, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors' Authority is saying to potential visitors: Come to our town, commit debauchery, disrespect yourself and others, leave the fall-out behind and return to your town and resume a respectable life!

Las Vegas is full of wonderful, decent people. This city has enabled our family to enjoy a prosperous lifestyle. We have embraced friendships and memories that will sustain us for a lifetime. At this time in our city's history, however, I cannot condone the direction Las Vegas has chosen. As stated in German's column, the perception of "Sin City" has now truly become a reality, and this is only the beginning of the social ills in our community.

SUZANNE JACOT-VILLAREALE