Titus offers support to Boulder City

Mona Shield Payne / Special to the Home News

Rep.-elect Dina Titus, D-Nev., speaks to the City Council regarding her awareness of projects important to Boulder City such as solar energy, bypass plans and stimulus packages needed to bring jobs.

By Cassie Tomlin (contact)

Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008 | 12:46 p.m.

Mona Shield Payne / Special to the Home News

First-grader Dylan Mullins reads suggestions to the City Council to increase public safety by replacing missing fire hydrant markers during the Council Meeting Tuesday. From left: Ryan Brown, 7; Devon Kelman, 6; Dylan Mullins, 6; leader Don Rodriguez; Thomas Brown, 6; and Luke Rodriguez, 6.

Mona Shield Payne / Special to the Home News

Rep.-elect Dina Titus, D-Nev., speaks to the City Council about issues facing Boulder City.

Rep.-elect Dina Titus, D-Nev., told the City Council Tuesday she supports plans for the Boulder City Bypass and backs solar development in the Eldorado Valley.

Titus last month won the Congressional District 3 seat held by Republican Jon Porter, who got his political start in the same council chambers where she spoke.

Titus was never mayor of Boulder City like Porter was, but she is well aware of its needs, she said.

She nudged residents who may doubt her devotion to the town: "For those still lamenting the loss of your favorite son — get over it. You now have a daughter," she said to scattered applause.

As State Senate minority leader, she said, she supported tax exemptions and grants for the Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum and backed legislation assuring Boulder City got revenue for the More Cops initiative.

Titus told the council she's anxious to help Boulder City from Washington, D.C., by fighting for transportation dollars and fostering communication about solar development among federal, state and local governments.

The Boulder City Bypass, which would route traffic from the Hoover Dam bypass south of town to U.S. 95 at Railroad Pass, has been the proposed answer to traffic problems expected when the opening of the Hoover Dam bypass in 2010 again allows tractor-trailers through town.

Since 2001, all heavy truck traffic has been detoured down U.S. 95 through Laughlin.

The bypass would cost about $470 million, and Nevada Department of Transportation has secured just $27.8 million for the first phase.

The soonest NDOT says the bypass would be built is 2025.

Titus said she hopes for compromises that would speed up the bypass.

She said she supported a legislative fight to legalize toll roads in Nevada — a proposed source of funding for building the road, though there is some opposition to the idea.

"Regardless, we can agree on the fact we both think getting a bypass is a priority," she said.

She also talked about the importance of solar energy.

"I firmly believe Boulder City is in a position to be a leader in (solar) development," she said.

She called solar energy "the key to the future," and called herself a strong advocate for the town's energy zone in the Eldorado Valley.

Councilman Mike Pacini said he's confident Titus is a committed public official, seeing first hand her work at the Nevada League of Cities.

"Dina's our representative now, and we need to work with Dina," he said.

Councilwoman Linda Strickland said she was excited to see Titus.

"I'm a staunch Republican, so it's hard for me to support a Democrat, but in this day and age, it's more about principle and if you're true to your word," she said.

Titus told the council they could expect to see more of her next year.

"I know how to find Boulder City," she said. "I'll be back out here often, and please call on me anytime I can be of service."

Cassie Tomlin can be reached at 948-2073 or cassie.tomlin@hbcpub.com.