Henderson City Council holds off distributing museum money

Tuesday, July 7, 2009 | 11:02 p.m.

Space and Science Center Board Meeting (6-23-2009)

Board President James B. Gibson listens to a speaker Tuesday during the Henderson Space and Science Center Advisory Board meeting.

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The Henderson City Council voted Tuesday to hold off on distributing $21 million earmarked for a new space and science center until later, when the money is needed, instead of giving it to the museum’s advisory board up front.

It is estimated that the advisory board will need to raise a total of $61 million to fund the project.

The amendment, which passed 4-0, allows interest on the money to be used to fund the advisory board. But by keeping the money in the city’s coffers, it would be available in case of an emergency. By law, the money from the city’s land fund cannot be used to cover payroll or budget shortfalls, but it can be used for purchasing or replacing physical assets and constructing major infrastructure projects.

“I am in total support of the space and science museum. I really want to see that project built, and I think it will have great benefits to this community,” Mayor Andy Hafen said. “But as I stated previously, I just really have some concerns when elected officials, especially with this amount of money, lose some control over the ability to use it.”

“We’re in such dire straits right now economically that I just don’t think it’s the right thing to do at this time,” Hafen said.

At their last meeting on June 9 before leaving office, former Mayor James B. Gibson and former Councilman Jack Clark led a controversial initiative to take the money from the land fund and give it to the board.

Gibson serves as the board’s volunteer chairman and Clark is the volunteer vice-chair.

With Hafen as mayor and Clark’s successor, Kathleen Boutin in office, the council revisited the decision.

Hafen previously said that the city would only spend the land fund money — a total of $25.2 million — in an emergency and that it will otherwise be earmarked for the space and science center.

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By bdover

July 8, 2009

12:26 a.m.

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Jesus God, maybe we finally have a decent mayor. We need an Air and Space place just like we need a Rocket Fuel Explosion Museum. Dumbest idea ever. Along with the Mayor Gibson Toxic Waste subdivision off Boulder Highway. Maybe the City is finally figuring out that we're in a re-de-pression? Thanks, Andy. Gibson, go take your pol job at the casino, and get out of our life.
By annienonymouse (Kathy Brownell)

July 8, 2009

6:41 a.m.

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Welcome to Henderhell. Knock down the affordable housing and build new buildings. For what? Build on toxic waste and the Pepcon areas. For profit. You are correct bdover, maybe I voted for the right guy this time.
By afveteran

July 8, 2009

6:44 a.m.

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I may have to issue a personal apology to Ms. Boutin for all the bad things I said about her during her campaign. I know she led the way in blocking this egregious attempt to steal millions from the Henderson residents by the former mayor and council member.
By reg373 (Mike Walker)

July 8, 2009

12:48 p.m.

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Govt spending created many jobs in the Great Depression, Hoover Dam for example. Some paint that as socialism, others as a wise public investment -- found a cool site; Balkingpoints ; incredible satellite view of earth