Editorial: No reason to relocate counselors

Friday, July 25, 2003 | 9:17 a.m.

One of the issues inherited by newly elected Las Vegas Councilwoman Janet Moncrief involves a drug treatment center on Valley View Boulevard located near a school, businesses and residences. As a candidate, Moncrief admitted that her knowledge of public affairs was nil but promised to research the issues affecting Ward 1 and make informed decisions. On this important issue, she has lived up to that pledge.

The center, whose counselors work with young people who have been referred by Clark County courts, opened in August 2001 after receiving zoning and business-license approvals from the city. In June 2002 former Ward 1 Councilman Michael McDonald responded to a few residents and businesses who complained that the center was inappropriate for the area. The building's previous tenant had been the Las Vegas Sun. Momentum picked up for the city to pay the balance of the center's five-year lease and relocate it, which would have cost about $1.5 million.

Moncrief, however, countered that plan for these good reasons: Nonviolent young people requiring help shouldn't be banished to some remote area. Relocating the business would not be the best use of taxpayers' money. She met with the center's administrators and negotiated new rules to prevent clients from congregating off premises. And, to further ensure against loitering, she persuaded the center to hire a guard and arranged for placement of a public bus stop in front of the building.

Criticisms that the center is too close to a school have merit. But the city allowed it and there have been no incidents to warrant withdrawing that approval. In our view, Moncrief's decision and actions work in everyone's best interests.