Six questions for North Las Vegas City Councilman William Robinson

Tiffany Brown

Veteran educator and North Las Vegas City Councilman William Robinson has his sights set on a new challenge: the mayor’s office.

By Mike Trask

Monday, Sept. 15, 2008 | 2 a.m.

William Robinson has served on the North Las Vegas City Council for 26 years, a time in which the city’s population rose from 40,000 to more than 230,000. Now the 68-year-old plans to run for mayor. He wants to lead the redevelopment of the city’s downtown corridor with a $165 million new City Hall.

That’s when he’s not playing with his four grandchildren or listening to jazz.

How have you managed to stay in office for 26 years and win seven elections?

Just being firm and fair. People are more involved now. You have to be more accountable. We have a lot of new people who move in and don’t know the incumbent. But I have the experience.

Why run for mayor at this point?

I had so many people ask me to run. I feel like I owe it. It’s going to be harder now. I used to be able to walk the city three times. Now it’s impossible for me to walk it once. But if my dad came back from the grave and talked about running against me, he would be in trouble. I don’t take any prisoners.

What must happen to redevelop Las Vegas Boulevard North and Lake Mead Boulevard?

It’s one of my dreams. That’s our downtown. We have to have the new city hall. We have to aggressively pursue businesses. There has to be one big thrust. If a bigger store comes downtown it will bring more major stores.

You’re known to speak off the cuff, once noting that if you could get out of a marriage then the city could get out of a contract. Where does this stuff come from?

When I first got on council I was using long words. It wasn’t working. So I talk so a layperson can understand what I’m saying. That’s my policy. But my tongue can get me in trouble.

Where do you stand on the issue of allowing casinos north of Interstate 215?

If the neighbors don’t want it, then I don’t want it. I’ll probably be voting against them.

How did you end up in North Las Vegas?

I grew up in Mississippi. I moved out here to visit relatives for a summer in 1959 and I’m still here. I worked in alternative education for 36 1/2 years. I still love it.