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May 14, 2003
Rolling slowly into the futureJust when some of us Americans are about to revolt and maybe trade in our gas-guzzling SUVs for two-seat, gas-electric hybrid cars, the oil companies sense the mood and roll back the prices. At least that's what it seems to us conspiracy-minded folks. While the price of gas in this latest crest was even higher in Las Vegas than Pahrump, it now seems to be cheaper over the hill than it is here. Last weekend the cheapest rate I saw in Las Vegas was $1.71 per gallon at an Arco station on Paradise Road, 10 cents cheaper than Pahrump. The recent gas hikes weren't blamed on an oil refinery fire but somehow the impending war on Iraq was at fault this time. I bet Americans were drooling to read this week that Iraqis, on whom we spent $80 billion to liberate, are only paying 6 cents per gallon, when gas is available. Back in my college days, in the 1970s, I remember reading the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers comic strip, which ran in what we then called "underground newspapers." One episode poked fun at the rising price of gas at the time, which had risen to over $1 per gallon. It suggested burning something cheaper, like dollar bills, or Chivas Regal. The City of Santa Cruz, Calif., came up with a suggestion, selling motorized bicycles to local residents for $1,000. When the price reached $2 per gallon, I dreamed up a better idea while playing a round at the local golf course. Why not let Pahrumpians ride around town in electric-powered golf carts? They seem to work fine on the links, and since the median age of the population of the Pahrump area is 45 years old - 10 years older than the state and national averages - most motorists probably aren't in much of a hurry to get anywhere. It wouldn't cost much to pave golf cart lanes parallel to many of the local streets, either. We don't have but a few miles worth of sidewalks anyway. The carts wouldn't be very heavy, so annual maintenance on the cart paths wouldn't be that great. We could have recharging stations around town, where you could plug in the carts while you do your shopping. The savings on gas would be only a part of the package. Just think of the public relations value. I can see it now: Once the national news media caught wind of it, a secretly jealous Dan Rather, age 96, would be narrating video scenes of Pahrump residents enjoying leisurely rides on their golf carts. At last, Pahrump has an identity: a golfing community. We have had two golf courses for many years with the Calvada project; the first nine holes of the Mountain Falls course opened last year, and the front nine holes are under construction as we speak. Desert Greens recently opened a par three course on their planned unit development on Wilson Road. Sheri's Ranch is talking about building a golf course, and there are still plans on the books for another golf course behind the Pahrump winery someday. There are almost enough golf courses to link them all up with cart paths already. I can imagine the news article as it goes out on the Associated Press wire: "PAHRUMP, Nev. - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christine Whitman appeared in this desert town today to present an award to local officials for slashing air pollution and gas consumption by 90 percent using a network of golf cart paths. Whitman presented Nye County with a check to build more cart paths." As an added benefit, the cart-path plan would ruin the fun of those people in all-terrain vehicles who presently kick up dust on the trails next to many of our roads in the valley. Their makeshift off-road race courses would be paved over and packed with whirring carts. And Pahrump can finally overtake Mesquite as the golfing Mecca of Southern Nevada. At the moment, the only thing Mesquite has that Pahrump doesn't is Merv Griffin, massages and a spot along Interstate 15 ready to snatch Utah residents on their way to Las Vegas. Maybe we could hire the guy with the folksy voice who recites those catchy ads for the Virgin River Casino in Mesquite to plug Pahrump. For those Pahrump residents who are in hurry to get from place to place during the busy workday, golf carts probably wouldn't be practical. But think of the potential for the rest of us. Maybe the next time there's a sharp spike in the price of gas, we'll start thinking again of similar remedies. Until then I'll put another $20 of that unleaded in the tank and drive off. Write to Mark Waite at mwaite@pvtimes.com. |
