I have found many readers who agree with me -- and some who disagree -- since this column first appeared in the Summerlin View last June. It seems that most readers of Summerlin Snapshot are more inclined to e-mail their comments on matters that deal with the roads and driver behavior.
That's not to say some haven't expressed harsh views on other issues. For example, a few readers were provoked by the column that spoke optimistically about the future of the three golf courses in Sun City.
One called me "a blubbering idiot," while emphasizing that I "know nothing about golf." Another aimed a few unquotable four-letter barbs to also tell me that I have a lot to learn about the sport. Of course, that's irrespective of the first 12 years of my professional journalistic career as a sports writer. During that early period, I covered several major golf tournaments, including the 1967 U.S. Open, won by Jack Nicklaus at Baltusrol Golf Course in Springfield, N.J.
But others e-mailed some more interesting observations. One was Bill Duma, who commented on another contentious subject in Sun City -- the new intersection being built at Lake Mead Boulevard and the Las Vegas Beltway.
Said Duma, "Just like the tree chopper in Sun City (Anthem), some people have only their own self interest in mind. I want that access open as soon as possible ... Save me driving through a bunch of neighborhoods to reach the freeway ... People that purchased homes on, near and across Lake Mead (Boulevard) knew or should have known where and when things were going to happen when they made their purchase."
I received numerous e-mail messages in response to the column that took bicycle riders to task for ignoring stop signs and other rules of the road. One from Marty Gruber was quite pertinent --
"You hit the nail on the head. I can't believe what I see on the road with rude, stupid jerks on bikes. My wife and I quit going out to Red Rock Canyon on weekends because of the bike riders. You name it, we have seen them pull it on the loop. The thing I have trouble with is these people (who) make their safety someone else's responsibility. Riding three abreast on the road to Red Rock? Traffic coming up behind them must move to the other lane to get around them. They are nuts."
Paul Mills was equally outspoken on the subject --
"I have experienced many, many instances of these Spandex clowns thinking they were a car when it was convenient for them, or a pedestrian when it was to their advantage. I have yet to see a bicyclist stop at a stop sign anywhere! Going down hill, they are exceeding the posted 30 mph speed limit, passing most cars. When they come to a stoplight, they will lane split to get to the front of the line of waiting traffic, check for a clear spot in crossing traffic, then proceed at the first opportunity."
The column that berated drivers who fail to use their signals when turning also drew numerous e-mails. The response from Tony and Linda Lucchese was especially appropriate --
"We were so happy to see your article on the non-use of the turn signal ... It just drives us crazy that people are so inconsiderate or stupid as not to do this simple thing, to let others know where they are going. We, too, have had too many close calls because of this ... Please keep this issue out front and let's hope that some of the bad drivers actually do read the newspaper. Great article, Herb."
Similarly, Jim Graham wrote, "Your article in the Summerlin View is a most cogent portrait of what seems to be the majority of Las Vegas drivers. Along with malfunctioning turn indicators, another problem is the loose nut behind the wheel. I hope folks take your column to heart."
Herb Jaffe was an op-ed columnist and investigative reporter for most of his 39 years at The Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J. He is the author of the novel "Falling Dominoes." Contact him at HJaffe@cox.net.
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