Councilman Steve Ross has no conflict on the new City Hall — but union boss Steve Ross’s members are putting out press releases on it

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009 | 2:08 p.m.

Boss Ross voted at Wednesday's council meeting, after getting cover from the city attorney, for a new City Hall project, even though hundreds of his building trades members told the council they need it for their economic well-being. Then, one day after the vote, Ross's union members put out a news release showing the members' desperation to have the project built -- a candlelight vigil!

UPDATE: The umbrella organization Ross represents is distancing itself from the release but not saying it is opposed to what the members are doing! Building and Trades Council spokesman Steve Redlinger says the group "did not send out the release and is not aware of it." When he told me that the council had not "authorized" the release, I wondered if that meant the union Ross heads is opposed to it? "Obviously our members are passionate about this issue. But as an entity, we did not send out this release."

Here's the release:

Construction Trades to Stage Candlelight Vigil

Until New City Hall Breaks Ground

Members of the Las Vegas Building and Construction Trades announced today they will hold candlelight vigils at the site of the proposed new Las Vegas City Hall every night until the project breaks ground.

“This project is vital to revitalizing our economy and providing badly needed jobs for many out of work Las Vegans,” said Tommy White, head of the Laborers Union Local 872. “We’re committed to making sure it becomes a reality as quickly as possible.”

Union officials estimate the project and others that are part of the City of Las Vegas’ downtown redevelopment plan could generate 13,000 jobs.

“We know the people of Las Vegas support this project because we are the people,” Randy Soltero, President of the Sheet Metal Workers, said. “I truly can’t think of a better project than putting Las Vegans back to work, and that is exactly what this new City Hall project will do.”

The nightly candlelight vigil will take place at the site of the proposed City Hall at Main Street and Lewis beginning this evening at 6:00 p.m.