Goodman to make patriotic pitch

Diana Sahagun

Friday, Jan. 4, 2002 | 10:01 a.m.

Patriotic theme Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman will give his State of the City address Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the Charleston Heights Art Center, 800 S. Brush St. Seating begins at 5 p.m. The speech will be televised live on Las Vegas ONE, Cox Cable Channels 1 and 39.

When he takes the podium during Monday's State of the City address, Mayor Oscar Goodman will reflect on a new wave of patriotism that has surged in the city since Sept. 11.

In the past the mayor's speeches have focused on the ups and downs of downtown redevelopment. This year, while touching on the glimmers of hope for downtown, Goodman will get downright sentimental, as he offers his take on what it means to be a Las Vegan while expressing his pride over a city that helped a suffering community thousands of miles away.

"I'm very proud of Las Vegas," Goodman said. "After the events of Sept. 11, the community really stepped up to the plate."

Goodman last month said he decided to "do something different" for his 2002 address, personalizing his speech to better reflect the community's sentiment since the terrorist attacks.

Locals residents after Sept. 11 rushed to area blood banks and attended vigils for the thousands who died in the attacks.

Ed Gobel, president of the Council of Nevada Veterans Organizations, said many residents gained a new respect for their country and military veterans.

"Citizens of Las Vegas and the state of Nevada are realizing the true concept of patriotism and have a greater appreciation now for those who fought for their freedom," he said.

When Goodman presents the 2002 State of the City address Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the Charleston Heights Arts Center, he will acknowledge local heroes, including former Nevada Power Co. President Steve Rigazio, who died Dec. 27 due to complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Goodman said even while Rigazio was battling the disease, he kept a positive outlook and was involved in community organizations.

"His life could have been better ... had we had an academic medical campus here," Goodman said. "He could have been getting treatment and maybe his life could have been prolonged."

The potential for an academic medical center on 61 acres west of downtown will be another highlight of his speech, Goodman said.

The need for diversification, such as an academic medical center, became evident last year. With revenues dwindling from low tourism counts, the potential for program cuts has surfaced. Downtown projects have been delayed as financing opportunities change.

City Manager Virginia Valentine said the city is equipped to handle the uncertainty because of wise decisions made in February 2001, when the city reacted to signs that the economy was slumping.

In February the city began an energy conservation program that included retrofitting lighting in city departments and regulating thermostats, resulting in almost $500,000 in savings during the first year.

A hiring freeze was also put into place, and the city offered to buy out the contracts of veteran employees to save money on salaries and benefits.

The city could also delay one-time expenditures, such as construction of new parks or buildings, but so far no projects have been halted, she added.

"We're still watching everything very closely and I think we're very happy that our bond rating has not suffed post-Sept. 11," she said. "I think we're in pretty good shape."

Goodman will also mention recent strides, including plans for a furniture mart and a high-end outlet mall.

The projects' success will hinge in part on whether Goodman can tackle the social ills that linger downtown. Even with the recent opening of the MASH Village winter shelter, a segment of the population refuses help and continues to live on the streets, Goodman says.

"My idea -- and I've been roasted for it -- but I still believe in it, is that they have to be rounded up and taken out to a facility, such as one in Jean ... or else push them farther toward the Pacific Ocean," Goodman said.