Wednesday, April 11, 2007 | 7:32 a.m.
Interim Ward 5 Las Vegas Councilwoman Brenda Williams has the backing of at least two influential Ward 5 residents - the candidates vying to fill her seat on the City Council.
Ricki Barlow and Staci Truesdell applauded the council's decision last week to choose Williams as the interim councilwoman until after the June general election.
"I cannot think of a better person to fill in," Barlow said. "She will make her two months count."
Truesdell echoed Barlow's comments.
"I was very impressed with the speech she gave when she was appointed and I think it's wonderful that Ward 5 will have representation until the election," Truesdell said.
Williams, a lifelong resident of Ward 5, previously served as then-U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan's constituent services representative for 12 years.
Since Williams retired from the senator's office she has been involved in several self-employment ventures, as well as community groups such as the Urban Chamber of Commerce.
Barlow and Truesdell emerged from a field of 10 candidates in the primary election seeking to replace Lawrence Weekly, who stepped down from the council to accept an appointment to the Clark County Commission.
Local activist Peter "Chris" Christoff's perseverance may have finally paid off.
Christoff has been after the City Council since August to begin installing canopy shades at local parks to provide some protection from the extreme heat during the summer . Despite prodding by Christoff, who appeared before the council in December and February, there has been little progress on the project.
But at last week's council meeting, Christoff got some good news from Mayor Oscar Goodman.
The city will begin installing 68 of the structures at parks next month and hopes to have them all installed by late August, Goodman said. Rotary Park on Hinson Street, Baker Park on St. Louis Avenue and Dexter Park on Upland Boulevard will be the first parks to get the canopies.
Although pleased to see progress, Christoff was disappointed that many structures won't be in place until most valley children are ready to go back to school.
"They won't be able to use them until next year," he said. "To me priority means priority , and all of our children in our city should have priority."
Goodman cited permit issues as one of the reasons for the delay.
"We're on top of it, it's slow and we didn't keep the timetable that was represented to you," Goodman said. "Let's hope they're up by August."
Time is running out for those wishing to participate in the annual Helldorado Parade.
Entries for the May 19 parade must be received by the city no later than Monday .
The parade began in 1935 as a lure to bring tourists to town after the completion of Hoover Dam. Although halted for a time because of declining interest, the event was resurrected in 2005 for the city's centennial celebration.
This year's event will include many of the activities made popular during previous celebrations, such as the Kangaroo Court, the Old-Timer's Parade and a rodeo.
Those interested in being in the parade or entering a float can download a registration form from the city's Web site at www.lasvegasnevada.gov.
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