Law closing car lots on Sunday is pro-consumer

     To the editor:
      As the executive director of the Southern Nevada Franchised New Car and Truck Dealers Association, I would like to clarify and respond on behalf of our membership to some of the points made in your news and editorial coverage of Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny's proposed ordinance to prohibit new car and truck sales on Sunday.
      First of all, much has been made of the idea that this proposed ordinance, which every new car and truck dealer in town is supportive of by the way, would somehow take away from folks a convenience they are accustomed to today. Such is not the case. For the past several decades, new car and truck dealerships have voluntarily closed their businesses on Sunday for several reasons, none of which include intentions of suppressing competition, as has been alleged.
      As has been reported, the idea of a Sunday closing ordinance is the outgrowth of town hall meetings where local elected officials have heard a common theme: Neighborhoods want closure on Sunday. With the recent growth of the Las Vegas Valley, new car and truck dealerships have sprung up from Henderson to the northwest part of the valley and residents of areas impacted have consistently and loudly requested that their local elected officials require closure on Sunday. In fact, in the city of Las Vegas, it is now routine that to get permission to operate a new dealership, you have to agree to remain closed on Sunday.
      From the new car and truck dealers' perspective, there are several benefits of Sunday closure. These include guaranteeing their employees and families a weekend day off -- which, by the way, has turned into a successful employment marketing tool and has caused many employees of other industries to leave to join the auto sales industry. Employee morale is an important factor that should not be overlooked and which has a direct benefit to our community.
      From the surrounding neighborhoods' perspective, we hear every day from neighbors who prefer closure on Sunday. Whether it is traffic hazards or noise and lighting concerns, the message we hear is the same: Our neighbors love it. They have obviously sent this same message to their elected officials; hence the proposed ordinance. There is also the consumer perspective. We have long been aware that certain consumers would rather do their window shopping on Sunday, without the trepidation that some feel in dealing with auto salespersons. If they want to come on our lots and peruse the vehicles at their leisure, so be it.
      It must be remembered that the sale of new cars and trucks is a much regulated industry in this state. This proposed ordinance should not be viewed as a restriction on freedom, but rather an accommodation and an acknowledgment that our membership has heard the message from their neighbors, the consumers and their employees. Commissioner Kenny's proposed ordinance is not anti-competitive, it is is a pro-consumer ordinance. From the dealer's perspective, our history of closure on Sunday is a good and responsible sales practice.
     TERRY N. MAYFIELD
     Las Vegas

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