Editorial: Gains on land deals not worth the price
Monday, Jan. 27, 2003 | 8:35 a.m.
Nevada is ahead of many states when it comes to open government, and it should stay that way. The Mesquite City Council, however, wants to weaken the open meeting law by allowing elected officials to discuss land deals in private. Its reasoning sounds logical -- the price of land can be affected by publicity. If a person with land to sell hears that the government is a potential buyer, it's a safe bet the price will go up. And a person seeking to buy public property could learn during an open meeting how much a government would accept, when perhaps he had been willing to offer more.
Mesquite City Manager Bryan Montgomery justifies the council's position, saying its members are simply trying to protect taxpayers' money. But we've heard this justification before in other states and have seen the consequences. Once the public is shut out of public business for any reason, a culture of secrecy begins forming and eventually it pervades other public decisions.
Mesquite Mayor Charles Horne, who is not a voting member of the council, shares our view. "In dealing with public assets and public officials, business should be conducted in the open," Horne said. Nevertheless, Mesquite is pressing the issue through the Nevada League of Cities and the 2003 Legislature will be asked to decide. We hope this never gets out of committee. Because the public is heavily affected by a government's purchase or sale of land, it has the right to participate in all conversations leading up to the transaction. While it's true that secret meetings might lead to saving a few dollars from time to time, open government is priceless.
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- The pull of a drug, a push to the brink
- Was there an ulterior motive in parking the stripper-mobile?
- CityCenter hotel welcomes new employees with gala
- Forrest Griffin writes his own ending at UFC 106
- Notebook: The Shark and LJ circle
- Police arrest 2 more in fatal shooting of Metro officer
- Harry Reid’s hopes hitched to health care reform bill
- What might result from a national airing of Ensign’s dirty laundry
- Politicians waste no time spinning latest jobless numbers
- Illness theory gaining ground for gambling addiction
Blogs
Robin Leach's Las Vegas Celebrity Watch
DWTS Finale: Top three couples perform three dances
High School Sports Scene
How Gorman saved the school district thousands
Politics: Ralston's Flash
GOP consultants Rogich, Ernaut back Democratic AG's re-election (1 Comment)
Audio: Ex-Gov. Bob List accuses Harry Reid of "abuse of power" on health care
Now and Then
Michael Schumacher takes 7th in go-kart race at Rio
The Kats Report
Monday List: 20 at 20, a quick look at The Mirage on a landmark birthday (1 Comment)
Robin Leach's Las Vegas Celebrity Watch
Photo Gallery: Donny’s correct prediction of Osmond vs. Osbourne
- Live chat
- Tuesday, noon PST
- Chat with Krista Creelman
- Problem Gambling Center executive director Krista Creelman will answer questions about gambling addiction from Las Vegas Sun readers from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. ... Submit question
Calendar »
- 23 Mon
- 24 Tue
- 25 Wed
- 26 Thu
- 27 Fri
-
DJ Scooter at Prive
Prive | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Fabolous's birthday at Jet
Jet | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Mixology Monday at Downtown Cocktail Room
Downtown Cocktail Room | 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
-
DJ Red at Tabu
Tabú Ultralounge | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
The Automatic Tour at The Square Apple
The Square Apple
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati














