Longtime NLV activist Mendoza dies at 57

Tuesday, March 4, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

SUN STAFF REPORTS

In the 1970s and '80s, the name Sergio Mendoza became synonymous with political campaigns in North Las Vegas.

An office manager for Silver State Disposal Service, Mendoza ran unsuccessfully for the North Las Vegas City Council in 1977, 1979, and 1983. In 1989 he ran unsuccessfully for mayor.

Mendoza died Sunday in Mexico City. He would have been 58 on March 29.

In his first race for City Council, Mendoza vowed to attract a "massive resort hotel" to the city. "I will not stop until I succeed," Mendoza promised. "A big hotel opening in North Las Vegas means from 1,000 to 1,500 more job openings."

While Mendoza's dream never came to pass, it was not because of any lack of effort on his part. He energetically worked for this proposal and tirelessly supported the concept of North Las Vegas as a business-friendly community. The year 1983 found him supporting a convention center, a cultural arts program, and a new climate for businesses that would help the city thrive.

Mendoza also pushed for Neighborhood Watch organizations, permanent crossing guards at some of the city's busier intersections, and more police and firefighters and higher rates of pay and benefits for them.

"(Police and firefighters) are doing a good job with the amount of manpower they have, but they are understaffed," Mendoza said in 1979.

As a mayoral candidate 10 years later, Mendoza was still calling for more public support of police and firefighters.

Over the years, Mendoza, an Air Force veteran who first came to North Las Vegas in 1968, held leadership positions in many community organizations. He was president of the Civic Center Optimist Club, a volunteer advisor for the district attorney's office, chairman of the Latino Drug Abuse Program, president of Folklorico Mexicano, which provided entertainment for schools, and a volunteer translator for the county health department. He was also a columnist for the North Las Vegas Valley Times as well as a columnist for a publication that circulated among casino employees.

Mendoza is survived by his wife, Eugenia Mendoza, of North Las Vegas; a daughter, Eugenia Gottenberg, of Las Vegas; two sons, Sergio Jr. and Ruben Mendoza, both of North Las Vegas; a stepmother, Carmen Mendoza of Mexico; a grandchild and several brothers and sisters.

Services are set for Thursday at 2 p.m. at Palm Mortuary-Downtown. Visitation is Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Palm Mortuary-Downtown.