Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: Mayor Oscar on a roll

Friday, Feb. 4, 2000 | 9:15 a.m.

Mike O'Callaghan is the Las Vegas Sun executive editor.

SITTING ACROSS THE SUN editorial board table listening to Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman is a special experience. After several months in office he still exudes the energy, both mental and physical, expected of a man still on the campaign trail. As a matter of fact he hasn't quit talking or working since being elected last year. He loves his job and is going about it like a bunny being energized by a locomotive battery.

The mayor has refreshing ideas and looks forward to making downtown Las Vegas renovated to a degree that will be envied by other large cities. Not only does he have exciting ideas, he also has put them down on his so-called "white paper" for all to read. More importantly he challenges us to use his paper as a guideline when judging his successes and failures after four years in office.

Goodman says that his vision for Las Vegas is a "clear one." Then he makes clear his fears for the city unless we meet the "challenges caused by decay at the doorsteps of our mature neighborhoods, the challenge of reurbanization and redevelopment of our central city, and the challenge of keeping city government efficient, effective and above all, accessible." This is followed by a list of projects that, if completed, will make the city a more livable place.

The mayor admits he has entered office more than a little short of knowledge about government.

About the only stumbling blocks he has hit are those which pertain to the role of government and the limitations placed on his office. For example, a city ordinance can't overrule court decisions upholding the interstate commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution. None of us want nuke waste coming through our cities and towns, but a city ordinance won't stop it.

Then there's his outspoken desire for the new police review board to have the added power to overrule the disciplinary actions of the sheriff. He should remember that the sheriff, like the mayor, is elected by the people and if he doesn't do a good job they can remove him. The review board of both the mayor and the sheriff are you, me and thousands of our fellow voters.

Power comes from the people and last spring Mayor Goodman received his first victory for public office from 32,765 voters. Eight months earlier Sheriff Jerry Keller, after serving four years, had his successes and failures evaluated and 172,768 voted, giving him their approval for another four years. The voters of both Las Vegas and Clark County determine who will be their sheriff.

Changing the rules of government to accommodate the will and desires of one man will soon cause serious problems. Up until this date, the mayor has shown an uncanny ability to get his way with the council and other local leaders. His latest move of putting his former law partner, Marty Keach, in a government slot calling for an architect-planner wasn't wise, nor was it an act fostering good government. Again, Goodman got his way and eventually it could come back and bite him. Unless he proves to be another Richard J. Daley, the bite could come sooner than later.

In the meantime, Goodman is on a roll and we want him to continue his drive to improve the city. As he told residents Tuesday night, "Creating a vision for the future is easy. The challenge lies in its implementation. You have my pledge that I will work every hour of every day to move this vision forward. But I cannot do it alone. I call on my colleagues on the City Council, our city staff, and the greater Las Vegas community who share in this vision to have an equal stake in ensuring its success."

Right on, Mr. Mayor, we all want you to have your vision become a reality.