Where I Stand — Oscar Goodman: Mayor’s learning curve

Thursday, Sept. 2, 1999 | 9:33 a.m.

Editor's note: Today's Where I Stand column is written by Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman. He writes that a city cannot tap into its potential for greatness without a lot of help and participation by members of the public.

I felt as though I was back in school. I had a crash course in local government. I learned volumes of information on city services from new teachers. I had to remember numerous names. It has truly been one of the most satisfying and fascinating times of my life.

As I enjoy sharing knowledge, I would like to pass along one of the most important lessons I have learned since taking office. One person can make a difference, but if we join forces and work together as a caring and dedicated community, we can revolutionize the way government does business.

Many people equate government with red tape and view it as a bureaucracy that is slow to react. They wonder where their tax dollars go. They believe there is a better, more efficient and faster way government can get things done. They have ideas on how to improve their community, but feel as if they have no voice or that it will not be heard. I, too, have thought this, and that is why I ran for mayor. I am determined to make a difference, to leave this city better than I found it, but I cannot do it alone.

The Las Vegas Valley is unique in that we are comprised of four cities and a county. You cross a street and you are in another municipality. Each one of these entities is experiencing phenomenal growth, and the issues that come with our expansion affect all Southern Nevadans.

We cannot let jurisdictional boundaries separate us on quality of life issues. This is why there is a renewed effort by the leaders of the valley's local governments to work together and conquer our growth challenges together. This is not political rhetoric, this is reality.

Clark County Commission Chairman Bruce Woodbury has teamed up with me to co-chair an ad hoc committee of experts to study the feasibility of a downtown arena. The arena would be built in the city limits, but Woodbury understands how this venture would benefit the county as well. This is merely the first step down a long road to a unified region. As elected officials, we will lead the way, but residents need to join this journey and provide us with direction.

I believe government begins at home. As citizens, you have an obligation to become involved. We all have the right to change things, and we also have the duty to challenge the status quo. Local government is the perfect forum to exercise this opportunity.

I have established the means in which your voice can be heard, and you can become part of the decision-making process. I have held two "open door" meetings since taking office. These outreach meetings give members of the public a chance to speak directly to me about issues facing their neighborhoods.

Along with the concerns and complaints I have heard, I have also heard suggestions on how to make changes for the better and how to correct these issues of concern. Many bright, committed and creative individuals attended these first two meetings, and together we are finding ways to make a difference in our way of life. I hope you will join me in City Council Chambers for the next meeting at 10 a.m. on Sept. 24.

Aside from the open door meetings, I am hearing from another group of dedicated residents who are extremely insightful. I created a "Kitchen Cabinet" of advisers to provide feedback on issues, ideas and programs. This group is a rainbow coalition of individuals bringing concerns from different segments of our community.

Our city is a melting pot of many cultures and backgrounds, and we should be so very proud of this fact. As witnessed by the recent violent hate crimes across the country, there are some people who do not share this belief. I believe we can no longer let our cultural differences tear us apart, and we should not tolerate those who try to divide our communities. My hope is that by meeting with the Kitchen Cabinet, we will find ways to celebrate our diversity and further unify our city.

As we all know, it takes more than talk. It takes action. A hands-on attitude by residents is needed to help city leaders build a community that is a model for other cities.

I encourage you to take advantage of these avenues of citizen participation. I also implore you to join me in finding solutions to tough problems. The entire Las Vegas Valley stands on the threshold of greatness. The time is now to seize it together.