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StumblePublished Friday, Jan. 15, 2010 | 7:23 a.m.
Updated Friday, Jan. 15, 2010 | 9:01 a.m.
Gov. Jim Gibbons, nearly one year after President Obama made those comments in that Elkhart, Indiana, town hall, wants to get a "call to action" from the state's mayors and casino bosses to get the president to "publicly acknowledge that Las Vegas and all of Nevada is a wonderful place for business or pleasure and that Americans should visit and conduct business in Nevada."
Be interesting to see who signs on to the missive designed to be sent to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Below is letter sent to mayors and casino owners and below that the proposed letter to Reid:
Dear XXXXXXX,
I am contacting you on behalf of Governor Jim Gibbons. Of course, the Governor, his entire staff and cabinet members are diligently pursuing every avenue and opportunity to remedy the economic challenges faced by all Nevadan (sic) communities. It is for this reason that he requested that a copy of a letter, written to Senator Harry Reid, be sent to all Nevadan mayors and casino owners for a signed endorsement. Please take a moment to read this “Call to Action.” It is imperative that this correspondence arrive at Senator Reid’s desk with full support of the aforementioned leadership. We would be truly grateful to receive your signed copy via fax to my attention:
Julie Roberts
Director of Community Relations
Office of the Governor
Sincerely,
Julie Roberts
February 14, 2010
The Honorable Harry Reid
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington D.C. 20510
RE: “A Call to Action”
Dear Senator Reid:
The focus of our “Call to Action” is to invite you to join us in a noble cause—to bring gaming, tourism and conventions back to Nevada and put Nevada’s derailed economy back on track.
As you are aware, our state revenues continue to decline. Last month, the Nevada State Gaming Control Board released the gaming revenues and collections for the month of October. Regrettably, for 22 straight months, Nevada’s gaming revenues declined. In fact, in the month of October gaming generated the lowest monthly figure in almost six years. Sales tax revenues are also down and have been for the past 33 months.
The decline in critical state revenues is alarming considering that the primary revenues that fuel Nevada’s economy come from the gaming, tourism and conventions industries. Conventions, which feed into gaming, retail, and entertainment, are down 18% from last year. Additionally, room occupancy levels continue to decline with each passing month. With the undeniable loss in overall activity in these industries, it is no surprise that Nevada’s work force, consisting of tens of thousands of service employees, finds itself in the unemployment line.
Nevada is second in the nation with the highest unemployment rate and first in the nation in foreclosure filings. It would be unreasonable to believe that there is no nexus between the decline in activity in the gaming, tourism and conventions industries and the increase in job loss and the rate of foreclosures in Nevada. Something must be done to change these statistics that now bear our state’s name.
It is our duty, as leaders of this great state, to join forces in finding solutions to bring back prosperity to Nevada. We can no longer ignore the urgency of this task. Because we all care deeply about the future of Nevada, we must encourage travel and bring back conventions to this state. Therefore, it is imperative that you encourage President Obama to publicly acknowledge that Las Vegas and all of Nevada is a wonderful place for business or pleasure and that Americans should visit and conduct business in Nevada.
Respectfully,
Governor Jim Gibbons
Mayor, City of Mayor, City of
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CEO, ____________ CEO,_______________
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UPDATED WITH REID RESPONSE AND REMINDER OF WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID HERE LAST MAY:
Reid spokesman: "No one is a stronger advocate for travel to Nevada than Sen. Reid, which is why he is bringing President Obama back to Las Vegas again next month. This will mark nearly two dozen trips to Nevada by Obama. Further, last week’s increased attendance at the consumer Electronics Show was a clear sign that companies know our state is a great place to do business, when they have the money to travel. Sen. Reid is working hard to improve the economy so businesses and families have more money to work and play in Nevada. He is also working to diversify our state’s economy so that if the national economy ever takes another downturn the impact on our state won’t be as severe. Unfortunately, rather than using his position to help in this effort, Gov. Gibbons is choosing to play politics on an issue that was settled long ago. He should join Nevadans in embracing President Obama's upcoming visit as a display that Nevada is the place to be."
Obama in May:
“You know, it's always a pleasure to get out of Washington a little bit. Washington is okay, but it's nice taking some time to talk to Americans of every walk of life outside of the nation's capital. And there's nothing like a quick trip to Vegas in the middle of the week. Like millions of other Americans, we come to this beautiful city for the sights and for the sounds -- and today we come for the sun.”
Silly Gym.
Should we also make him say that we have the best Gamblin', prettiest hookers, and plenty of good booze? Come on Down!
Been there, done that. Obama explained that he was speaking about partying in places LIKE Las Vegas on the taxpayers dime. His comments were taken out of context because we live on sound bites these days. He also stated he likes Nevada and Las Vegas. Get over it. Gibbons is just showing how out of touch he is as he panders for votes.
It's good to know Gibbons and his Republican buddies want people to spend taxpayer dollars going to lavish retreats. It doesn't surprise me a single bit.
Tell you what, Jim: when you admit that you're an incompetent Governor, then you can demand whatever you want. Until then, keep your head down and stop embarrassing the people you represent.
Hey Vorenious, why don't you cry some more about not being able to post the N-word. That really tugs at the heart strings of racists and klan members.
Further, you make no sense whatsoever in your post.
"He has reveled in the upheaval he has caused the citizens of Nevada."
Do you have a single example of such "reveling" to back up this claim? No, not a single example. What you posted there is commonly known as a lie.
"His goal was to destroy Nevada and to ensure Dirty Harry is to be able to ride in on a white horse and save Nevada at the end!"
Funny, because Nevada's downturn began in 2007, under the watchful eye of George W Bush... someone I have no doubt you voted for and loved with all of your heart.
Get a clue and stop whining about not being able to post racism on the Sun's website.
Doesn't our governor have more important things to do besides trying to sidetrack Nevadans with attacks on other folks? Focus, man. Focus!
there is a child in the governor's mansion...
a little itty bitty child...
what a sad pathetic clown that little gibbons monkey has become...
we are watching a desperate man trying to save a failed political career...
sad...
truly sad...
seems bizarre. Given that Gibbons wants to end medicaid, cut our elhi schools to nothing, destroy UNLV, and much much more to the detriment of the state, maybe he should state that he "loves" Nevada [and do a better job at it than he did to his former wife]. We know he loves tax cuts, but Nevada needs some cash to keep running. I guess he thinks Nevada should merge with utah or alaska or somewhere. Instead, he is trying to make our state turn into Haiti [no offense to them].
I'm sure if Obama did say that, Rush Limbaugh would twist it around to a negative. No matter what Obama does is wrong in the eyes of NEOCONS, so why even listen to Gibbons.
"He is doing what they tell him to do"
-for the second time this month I type this...
To John Ralston, what school did you go to? Can you please try a lttle hard with your grammar? And if you think this is correct, you need to go to school.
"Be interesting to see who signs on to the missive designed to be sent to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Below is letter sent to mayors and casino owners and below that the proposed letter to Reid:"
Why did Las Bugsy (with 94862 homes lost) get $0 in foreclosure funds...:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jan...
...and Reno got $20 million (with 11,023)?
http://www.rgj.com/article/20100115/NEWS...
So tell me again what a fine gubber Rory or Oscar would be. Tell me again how much Harry Gried is doing for you folks...
Obama doesn't give two craps about Nevada. He's coming back here to try to somehow salvage his about to be fired senator, "Scary Reid", everyone knows it too. This will be to know avail, Obama's own words has have a devastating affect on our economy and his policies has had an even decimated us more. There is no leadership in Washington. We have been lied to by both Obama and the corrupt "Scary Reid". This event will be like putting a bow tie on a skeleton.
What has Gibbons done texexnv?
You're racist Vorenious? Or just like being one on the net, stroking people and getting posts removed?
correction: harder, not hard, in previous post.
DessrtSun, what have Gibbons and Ensign done? What have Republicans done? Do you blame the 8 years of Bush on Clinton? Amazing, the party of hate and fear can do nothing but put up roadblocks and throw arrows at people at least trying to get things done.
Awesome post Gordon. Did you see how pissed Republicans were at Obama for taxing these rich billion dollar bonus execs yesterday? The outrage, heaven forbid billionaires (off us) have to pay taxes.
Vegasj,
this really is not the gubber's jurisdiction (or he would have probably screwed it up anyway).
Getting these grants was the responsibility of Gried Jr. and Oscar (who DID screw it up). The Las Vegas metro had $67 million last year but NONE this year with 97,000+ homes lost. Who's at fault here? Seems like both are more interested in campaigning to be the next gubber than FIXING LV's huge probs when there was the chance.
I've never met Julie Roberts, Director of Community Relations, so let's assume she isn't really a high school sophomore, she just writes like that.
"Nevada is second in the nation with the highest unemployment rate ... Something must be done to change these statistics that now bear our state's name."
Well, I suppose we could diversify our economy, by making the state attractive to businesses other than gaming and mining. Maybe we could try improving our education system, medical care, and so on, so that people won't think we're just a half-dozen population clusters scattered around a stinking desert. But that would take time and money, and we've already frittered that away, haven't we? So, if you can't fix the problem, I guess you can shift the blame, right? Pretend some guy back east is responsible for our self-inflicted wounds, because we're proud of our stubborn independence as tall-in-the-saddle western loners, and so on.
Election day can't get here soon enough.
Regarding the NPS2 (HUD) grant announcement released yesterday where Vegas receives $0, before you throw a tantrum, please read through the NOFA (notice of fund availability) requirements and then request Las Vegas' proposal. Do the homework and compare the proposal with the requirements. The funds for NSP2 is not free money to whoever asks for it. It is a COMPETITIVE GRANT where each entity has to provide empirical evidence for their needs. To my knowledge, Reid had nothing to do with writing the grant proposals.
And then demand why the Las Vegas agency left funds "on the table" from the NSP1 grant. Lack of an accurate plan to spend NSP2 dollars, combined with the failure to spend all of the NSP1 funds, is just maybe the reason why Vegas was stiffed. Just maybe.
FWIW:
The following was suggested 03/31/09
Obviously, Obama is a persuasive speaker and if those responsible for promoting Vegas tourism were smart they'd corral this cowboy into some Vegas TV promotional spots.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/mar...
: p
Gibbon no believe in govermint or educashun so grant no good. now he wants to leave 1 1/2 billion on the table because he hates medicaid. I guess ensign's parents will foot the bill for the poor in Nevada. I wonder how much they sent to Haiti? Probably like rush said: zero. but, they had 96K to toss around to coverup their son's lust.
grandmacrabby, I corrected that in my next post.
The bully mentality evident in the headline of this story depicts one of the central problems with government and business in our state: fear mongering and the bully syndrom. This mean spirited approach to doing anything is the antithesis of a progressive and productive civility. The net result of these efforts are detrimental to the hard workers of Nevada. Moral is reduced and only the bully with his pathetic and useless ego feels he has accomplished anything at all. Trading the future of our endeavors for that little rush of endorphines based on cruel behavior is the opposite of strong leadership and a primitive endeavor practiced by those too ignorant to do anything else. It is common but our President is well above this banal behavior and it will only be another example of the feeble minded attempts of those used to bullying those below them to pathetically try to bully our Commander in Chief.
This is a telling example of delusional thinking.
Wasn't this the gov who wouldn't greet Obama at the airport last year?
Obama absolutely did cause many lost jobs as well as millions of lost business for Las Vegas. Anyone possessing average and above intelligence and common sense knows this.
Still, Obama has refused to help right the damage that his careless rant created. Therefore it's more than appropriate for the Governor to ask the President to help resuscitate the local economy that he kicked in the teeth.
Jim Gibbons is a complete arse! Let's start by him trying to"force" President Bush to acknowledge how he screwed the voters of this country and left it in a mess that Obama is trying to clean up. Jim should then "force" himself to do the right thing and RESIGN! All he has done is throw up smoke screens by complaining, criticizing and blaming everyone else for his shortcomings. (seems to be the Republican way). I guess he figures if he keeps the voters eye on someone else, no one will notice what a piss-poor job he is doing (Wrongo, Jimbo)! He is the worst governor in the USA even before Palin resigned. The very idea of someone "forcing" President Obama to do anything is pretty silly and very juvenile but what can you expect from an absolute fool?
To Logic_ should_ Rule: Did you just wake up? Obama absolutely DID NOT cause many lost jobs nor is he responsible for millions in lost business for Las Vegas. Had you read his comments, you would know better. Obama said the companies that were bailed out by TAXPAYER MONEY should not be spending it on trips to Las Vegas or the Superbowl. (Did ya notice people from the Superbowl heard Obama correctly and did not go off spining their wheels or deliberately misquoting what he did say as so many here in Vegas did?). As a working taxpayer (and a former republican), I agree with Obama. Taxpayers bail these people out and they turn around and make arrangements to party like its 1999 in Vegas? I don't think so. I don't want these beggars coming here and spending my money on fun and games for their jaded employees anymore than I am happy about the billions of dollars they are now doling out in bonuses to the employees without paying us back. Apparently you don't have a problem with it. By the way, Logic, Obama is highly educated and very aware of his words so don't accuse him of careless ranting. Speaking of which and quoting you..."Anyone possessing average and above intellligence and common sense knows this." Anyone with any of thos attibutes knows Obama DID NOT CAUSE ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. Check out "Worst Economy, Job Loses, Housing Foreclosures,De-regulations, etc." under the heading "George W. Bush." Apparently you attended the same school your governor did= Univ. of Erroneous Information. Get your facts straight, please.
This whole non-issue was ginned up by hate-talk radio.
Gibbons to mayors, casino owners: Let's force the president to "publicly acknowledge" he DOES NOT love Las Vegas.
Weak, LarVe, very weak. You have nothing to say but you have to say it anyway. What a worm you are, LarVe.