Letters to the editor

Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008 | midnight

Question to sell land should be defeated

EDITOR:

You are invited to join me in voting "No" on the Nov. 4 Ballot Question No. 3 to sell 46 acres of city property in the industrial area for the third water intake from Lake Mead.

I served on the ballot committee against this land sale, and I would like to illustrate my specific reasoning:

• Payment of the third straw belongs solely with the Utility Fund and not the Capital Improvements Fund. Water users should bear this cost. The fact that in 2000 the Utility Fund Restricted Reserves were raided by the City Council to build Boulder Creek Golf Club lies at the core of the Utility Fund money shortages. Had this raid not occurred, more than enough funds would have been available for the third straw and other ongoing utility repairs. The Utility Fund is our only money-making enterprise and needs to be the source for paying the city's share of the third straw.

Note: Boulder City is joining Southern Nevada Water Authority in obtaining a bond to pay for its share of the third Straw. Boulder City will enjoy a more favorable interest rate than what it could otherwise qualify on its own.

• All of this property is in the Redevelopment Area. I refuse to authorize this current City Council majority to have access to these RDA (slush fund) monies to give away frivolously as they continue to do.
• Putting 46 acres, or fractions thereof, on the real estate market now or later makes no economic sense. The city attempted to sell nine lots on Industrial Court a few months ago. Only one lot sold. Until the remaining eight lots are sold, no other industrial area land should be considered for sale. Furthermore, the commercial development on the southwest side of U.S. 93 and Veterans Memorial Drive remains vacant. No consensus to build on industrial or commercial properties in Boulder City exists at this time.
• My primary criteria for voting against the land sales rests with Boulder City's operating budget. The city manager prepares budgets that are overinflated. I recall we voted against a $2.5 million remodeling project for the Police Department. Somehow the city manager has "discovered" available funds in the last two budget cycles, and now RDA funds are pouring into this building renovation. Obviously, the city has sufficient funds to operate and needs to stop raiding the Utility Fund of $2 million-plus per year so the third Straw can be paid from this source as it should be.

Note: A basic economic principle states that you do not sell long term assets (land) to finance a business's daily operations.

Join me in voting "No" on Ballot Question No. 3 to sell 46 acres of city land.

NANCY A. NOLETTE

Reader is grateful for son's service

EDITOR:

I was taken by Co-Publisher Colleen O'Callaghan-Miele's Oct. 9 column "Mom watches boy become man."

It made me wonder if my mother felt that way about my leaving home nearly 57 years ago? I'll bet so, but she never let on.

I know you are proud and you should be. Not to say you won't worry and wonder, but he will be just fine. Our country will be better because of him, and he will be able to carry that fact with him for his whole life.

I'm still in touch with some of my old "buds" even now and after all these years. It means a lot to me.

For now though, thanks for the column. I wanted you to realize it's really nothing new. It just is to you! Tell your "little" ranger that I said, "Good Luck, and thanks for your service."

ROGER PETTIFORD

Mother's, son's actions are admirable

EDITOR:

I am proud of both Co-Publisher Colleen O'Callaghan-Miele and her son ("Mom watches boy become man," Oct. 9). Both for his decision to serve and your decision to support him.

Politics aside, I still remember the words, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." Your comments in "My View" were admirable and deserve a positive response from your readers, and I hope that will be true.

It just seems that desire to serve in such activities as the military, the Peace Corps and other such organizations is falling at an alarming rate, wherein the "me, me people" are quickly overtaking the "we, we people," and I worry about that. With a positive attitude and the ability to adjust to the faults of others, military service can be a great character builder and provide valuable experience in a young person's growth.

I wish your son Godspeed and good luck in his journey.

DAVE ROWLANDS

30-year Army veteran

Thanks to community after teen's death

EDITOR:

I would like to use this space if I may for something positive. On Sept. 20, our 17-year-old daughter died of sudden cardiac arrest. She had a heart condition that was diagnosed at age 3 and she was treated regularly at Children's Heart Center in Las Vegas. My wife and I were shocked and devastated by this unexpected tragedy.

The community of Boulder City has been a true blessing. The love and support we received has been tremendous. I wanted to express our gratitude to so many people that Marcia and I do not know where to begin.

The Rotary Club of Boulder City was amazing. The members went well above even Rotary expectations. Thank each and every one of you. We want to say a very special thank you to the students, faculty and staff at Boulder City High School; the Caruso Family; Erik of Projection Booth Films; Brad Lane of Bradley's BBQ; Kris at Boulder City Florist; the Ray family and too many others to name.

To those who contributed to the Bethany Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund, we thank you. Some deposits were made, and the Boulder Dam Credit Union has no method for tracking cash contributions. The scholarship will be awarded to a Boulder City senior each year. The fund will hopefully grow over time and will be given for as long as it lasts. The details of the amount and the recipient are yet to be determined.

This has been the worst month of our lives, and this community stepped up to help us to cope with this tragic time in our lives. We are eternally grateful. Marcia and I love you all and thank you all. We pray that we never have to repay any of you in kind.

DR. LARRY AND MARCIA SMITH

Lend A Hand says thanks to Rotary Club

EDITOR:

We are so lucky in this town to have service organizations that care about all of us. In this economy, it is not easy to raise money and it takes a lot of work.

That is why we, at Lend A Hand, would like to give a very special thank you to the Noon Rotary Club for its generous donation. It will go a long way to ensure that the elderly and disabled are able to stay in their own homes for as long as possible.

CATHY LEE ALDERSON

Program Directory, Lend A Hand

Reader wonders what is happening to town

EDITOR:

What has happened to Boulder City?

My wife and I have lived here 15 years. Health problems resulted in our having to pull back from civic activities for some time, but I think someone has to speak up about some serious changes we've seen over recent years.

In the past we seemed to have a reasonably prosperous city where most people were courteous, respectful of others and willing to debate issues in a relatively friendly manner. Boulder City people pulled together on various projects. Differences in opinion for the most part were discussed in a civil manner.

Today ...

• A criminal complaint is filed against a city employee (the issue boils down to failure to secure the council's OK of the five people who volunteered to write position statements for an advisory question).
• Four-hour council meetings are often filled with condemnations of staff and implied criticisms about other council members' opinions and nitpicking rantings about minor issues.
• Severe chasms have appeared between various groups, including name-calling, threats and downright vicious letters about people and their ideas.
• A gadfly moved into one of our motels, revitalized a political group and appeared at every council meeting for several years to criticize, challenge and condemn council actions. He disappeared, and now we have a few replacements for him at every council meeting.
• Some still want to sell (at a loss) the "new" golf course. Houses can't be built around it. In addition, considerable money is being spent at the airport. Why? If we keep improving it, it won't be long before the rest of the helicopters from McCarran International Airport will arrive at Boulder City when environmental challenges stop the proposed county heliport. An now, some want to turn control of our hospital over to the Clark County commissioners.
• Believe it or not, some Boulder City people have bad mouthed Boulder City to others in the Las Vegas Valley, including people interested in moving here.

I repeat, what has happened to Boulder City?

DAN POLING