LOOKING IN ON: CITY HALL

Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006 | 1:21 a.m.

A Las Vegas committee on Yucca Mountain agreed Tuesday to launch a public outreach program that will expand on the city's opposition to the planned nuclear waste dump.

The program, which would require the approval of the City Council, has been placed on the agenda for Wednesday's council meeting.

Yucca Mountain, 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas in Nye County, has been chosen by the federal government as the nation's repository for high-level nuclear waste.

City officials have expressed concerns that the city's proximity to the site, as well as the potential that shipments headed to the facility will travel through or near Las Vegas, pose a threat to residents.

Committee members said the program is necessary because of public apathy over the Yucca Mountain project, which is not slated to open until 2017. Officials fear it is not an immediate concern for most residents.

The city has a limited outreach program and Ward 2 Council Member Steve Wolfson, who led the meeting, said the goal should be to expand on those efforts.

The estimated cost of the program is $29,500.

School violence was the hot topic among the 300 students who attended the Las Vegas Teen Town Hall on Thursday in the City Council chambers.

The event, hosted by Ward 5 Councilman Lawrence Weekly, brought together students from several local schools to discuss issues of concern to them, including peer pressure and education funding.

When the focus turned to school violence, students filled the aisles for a chance to speak on the subject.

Several criticized the media and school administrators for blowing minor incidents out of proportion or giving added attention to incidents at urban schools with large minority populations, while ignoring similar incidents at more affluent schools.

A few turned the criticism inward, challenging students to take accountability for their own actions and criticizing parents for failing to give direction and provide a proper example.

Celebrity co-host Justin Guarini, of "American Idol" fame, issued a challenge to the students.

"This is the age of technology, you have a voice," he said.

Guarini encouraged students to use faxes and e-mails, and form media committees to get their side of the story out.

Students also got to witness Mayor Oscar Goodman's weekly press conference and ask questions. Goodman expressed disappointment over the passage of Question 2, which tightens restrictions on eminent domain. The city opposed the issue, and Goodman said he hopes for a different outcome when the matter comes before voters in November 2008.

The issue must be approved again in 2008 before it can become law.

Goodman also said he was "delighted" with Democratic U.S. Sen. Harry Reid's new position of power and the potential impact it could have here. Goodman said he expects the city and state to "get a lot of help" from Washington now that Reid, of Nevada, will be the Senate majority leader.