looking in on: suburbs Stagecoach Saloon ends its long run in Boulder City

saxo-archive

Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008 | midnight

The Stagecoach Saloon, a local landmark with a hint of rebellion in Boulder City, has shut its doors, ending a long history of whiskey shots and draft beer.

Originally Laubach's Recreation Tavern, the bar had been quenching thirsts in the small town since 1932, changing names, owners and locations along the way. The Stagecoach on U.S. 93 had been in the same spot since 1967.

Its closing will not shock too many folks in Boulder City. The writing was on the wall, and not just in the bathrooms.

Last year a building inspection found more than 20 code violations, including exposed wiring and the lack of smoke alarms in a joint where chain smoking was the norm. The bar stayed open a few more months.

Until now.

A sign nailed to the front door notes: “R.I.P.” It is accompanied by a padlock.

Jona Griffin, the owner of the bar and a constant presence inside, could not be reached for comment.

Her phone rang to the sound of a T-Pain rap song.

“I like the bartender,” it said. “I'm at the bar with her.”

Just not at the Stagecoach.

@Dots:• • •

North Las Vegas has officially acknowledged that former Police Chief Mark Paresi is “separating” from the city. He will be paid a severance package of $49,000 and has agreed not to sue.

He was to remain officially employed in North Las Vegas until Dec. 31.

In the more than five years that Paresi served the city, the Police Department grew from 345 employees and a budget of $54 million to 870 employees and a budget of $110 million.

City leaders still are not talking about what the former chief did to get the unceremonious boot.

“I appreciate the community being patient with the city during this interim transition as the city resolved a complex personnel matter with Mr. Paresi,” City Manager Gregory Rose said in a statement.

“I believe that it is appropriate for the public to be notified of the outcome of the personnel matter. I am mindful that although Mr. Paresi is a public employee he has a right to privacy.”

Several sources in City Hall said Paresi wore out his welcome by hiring high-level officers from out of town, spawning strife within the department and with the police union.

@Dots:• • •

Police chiefs' coming and going isn't the major topic of discussion in North Las Vegas.

Instead, it's proposed increases in water and wastewater rates.

Under the proposed plan, water rates would increase 4 percent in each of the next three years. The wastewater charges would jump 5 percent this year and 5 percent in 2009 and 2010. In total, the increases would cost residential customers about $30 a year.

There has not been a rate increase in two years, said Phil Stoeckinger, finance director. The proposed increase is a result of the rising cost of doing business and plans to build a new wastewater treatment plant.

The City Council is scheduled to discuss the possible increases at its meeting Wednesday.

Mike Trask can be reached at 259-8826 or at mike.trask@lasvegassun.com.