LOOKING IN ON: CITY HALL

Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006 | 7:20 a.m.

Metro Officer Laurie Bisch's announcement that she would seek the Las Vegas City Council seat currently held by Lois Tarkanian set off a chain reaction of political activity.

After Tarkanian announced she would seek re-election, potential candidate and former Councilman Steve Miller announced that he would not run, throwing his support to Tarkanian.

Normally the support of a potential rival would be a good thing, but that may not be the case here. Tarkanian already is considered something of a lone wolf at City Hall and Miller's favorite pastime is bashing the City Council, so his endorsement hardly confers statesmanship on the recipient.

Support from fellow councilmen, especially Councilman Larry Brown, whose Ward 4 contained some precincts now in Tarkanian's Ward 1 before the recent redistricting, could boost her chances.

In the redistricting, Tarkanian lost some precincts where she had a strong showing in the 2005 election, in which she won the seat. The loss of those areas could cost her in a tight race.

Tarkanian may have extended an olive branch to Brown in October when she threw her support behind a zoning variance she had previously opposed.

It remains to be seen whether the branch will bear fruit.

The Las Vegas City Council is expected to consider an ordinance today to create a special improvement district to benefit Fremont Street pedestrians.

Improvements in the district, an area bordered by Las Vegas Boulevard, Eighth Street and Carson and Ogden avenues, are estimated to cost $5.5 million.

If approved, a portion of the cost and expenses of the project would be paid by special assessments levied against property owners in the district.

The enhancements would include gateway arches, midblock pedestrian crossings with landscaping, decorative signage and installation of new curbs, gutters, sidewalks and streetlights.

Good grades paid off in a big way for 10 lucky students.

The students each won a $1,000 shopping spree at Toys "R" Us, courtesy of Resort Gaming Group, at the Weekly Wonka Wonderland Celebration.

The event, hosted by Councilman Lawrence Weekly, was held at the Lorenzi Park Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza.

Students submitted papers with an A grade to their school's office for a chance to attend the celebration, which drew more than 500 elementary and middle school students and their parents.

In a nod to the popular children's movie "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," each student was given a "Weekly Wonka" candy bar. The 10 students whose bar contained a golden ticket were the big winners.

The winning students cashed in on their shopping spree last week at the Toys "R" Us on Meadows Lane.