Brothels in Nevada

I would appreciate your paper printing this letter as a correction to Ron Taylor’s article on legal brothels in Nevada (Part I, Aug. 8).

As a former elected official and a present candidate, I have always attempted to work with the press and answer all questions honestly and forthrightly. Taylor complained to me he was having a difficult time obtaining comments on the subject of prostitution from Nevada elected officials and, after reading his article, I can understand why.

Let us please set the record straight! As a two-term legislator, I introduced legislation to consider banning brothels for two reasons: one, because I believe they could be a detriment to Nevada’s image and consequently, a hindrance to our efforts to attract new industry to our state, and second, the possibility of brothels increasing the spread of AIDS.

During the two terms I served in the Nevada Legislature, the main thrust of both sessions was to make our state more attractive to industry. It has become apparent to us that we cannot have all our eggs in one basket, and we must diversify our economy (the development of the UNLV Engineering School and a low tax base). I personally had attended meetings and listened to speeches that led me to believe prostitution was an important factor hindering other business interests from relocating or expanding to Nevada. At the same time, the very real problem of AIDS was emerging with some newspaper articles stating that AIDS was being spread in brothels in France.

For these reasons, I thought it was time to look at our local brothel laws. The majority of Nevada legislators disagreed with my appraisal of the situation and held the belief that the issue should be decided on a local basis. The bill was killed very quickly, and locally they enacted even more stringent policies for health protection.

Nevada is one of the last states still holding out for its independence. It is unique in its makeup. Nevada is America’s playground in the cities and mountain areas, and provides Western small-town living in the rural areas. We have been able to blend these two different life styles into an exciting, friendly, fiercely independent state.

Taylor’s article stated that I was going after prostitution again. I never said that, nor do I intend to do so. What I did say was that a study committee on this issue might emerge from the next Nevada Legislative session.

BARBARA ZIMMER

Las Vegas