NO HOPE FOR ALIEN HIGHWAY

By Ed Vogel

Las Vegas Review-Journal, June 24, 1995, page 2B

CARSON CITY-Aliens looking for spots to land their space crafts 
and catch 40 winks won't find them in rural Nevada.

Senate Transportation Chairman Bill O'Donnell, R-Las Vegas vowed 
Friday to let an Assembly bill creating the "Extraterrestrial 
Alien Highway" along state Highway 375 die without a hearing. 

"There are more important things to do here than talk about alien 
highways," O'Donnell said. "When I get a call from a legitimate 
alien, I'll contact a hearing. But I don't have time for 
frivolity." 

O'Donnell said the Legislature costs taxpayers $50,000 each day it 
remains in session and the "ET" bill is a waste of money.  Lorne 
Malkiewich, Legislative Counsel Bureau director, said legislators 
quickly must allocate another $500,000 because the session likely 
will not adjourn until the end of June. They already have spent 
$8.6 million for legislative operations. 

Assembly Bill 533, sponsored by Assemblyman Roy Neighbors, D- 
Tonopah, would create the "ET" highway along a 36-mile stretch of 
road between Hiko and Warm Springs. The pavement is just outside 
the restricted Area 51 vase where the military has tested new 
aircraft.  Unidentified flying object buffs also have speculated 
that aliens whose craft crashed in New Mexico were taken to Area 
51 

Neighbors called O'Donnell's attitude "sour grapes." He contended 
the highway designation will promote tourism. 

"It has been a fun bill," said Neighbors of his proposal, which 38 
members of the 42 member Assembly co-sponsored. "But I've had 
serious bills too." 

He added that several years ago, O'Donnell signed on when the 
Legislature designated Highway 50 as the "Loneliest Highway in 
America."

As a Navy pilot, Neighbors said he saw some "weird things," 
although he won't go so far to admit he believes in aliens. 

Ambassador Merlin II, a man who spends his days in the Legislative 
Building and claims to be an alien, was not disturbed by 
O'Donnell's reluctance to hear the bill.

"There's a government secret right now that will take care of the 
situation," said Merlin, whose given name was David Solomon. "It 
will be revealed shortly." 

O'Donnell said Rachel residents could save taxpayers money by 
paying for and placing on private property their own alien highway 
sign.  But neighbors said the Legislature must act for any such 
sign to carry official designation.

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REPRODUCED WITHOUT PERMISSION

Note:  Highway is actually 99 miles long, not 36 miles as given in 
the article.