Letter: Blue Diamond Road should open some eyes

Tuesday, March 28, 2006 | 6:50 a.m.

When are the people of this valley going to wake up and smell the roses?

The prevailing political attitude of the valley is the libertarian/conservative concept of small government. Yet, at present there is an enormous outcry because the valley is being denied the benefits of big government. If you think I'm off my rocker, just consider the outrage over what is happening with State Route 160 (Blue Diamond Road).

For all intents and purposes, we are experiencing unchecked growth in the Las Vegas Valley. Yet, had the county planners denied the developer the opportunity to develop land, there would have been hell to pay from the libertarians. I can hear the outrage: Again big government constituting a taking in violation of the Fifth Amendment.

Then we have those criticizing the Nevada Transportation Department for not anticipating this growth and improving the infrastructure years ago. Imagine the conservative outcry had the Transportation Department five or 10 years ago spent tax dollars to improve State Route 160. It would have gone something like this: How dare big government spend our tax dollars improving a road that benefits only a few people who want to live in Pahrump and work in Las Vegas?

Had it been suggested that State Route 160 was being improved to accommodate the eventual growth of the valley the outcry would have been: Don't use my tax dollars to help the developers, let growth pay for itself with increased revenue.

Blue Diamond road is a perfect example of what results from "growth paying for itself." It keeps a community constantly behind the curve. And being behind this curve, as State Route 160 has shown, can result in human tragedy.

Isn't it time, after all the human tragedies that have occurred on Blue Diamond Road, that we stop letting growth pay for itself? Isn't it time we woke up and smelled the roses?

Terry E. Peele, Las Vegas