Nevada leaders: Please stand up

By Brian Greenspun (contact)

Sunday, March 8, 2009 | 3 a.m.

Wake up, Nevada. It is a brand new world.

Like most of my friends and neighbors, I would love for things to be like they were just a few months ago.

That means the world’s economic meltdown we are trying to survive would not have happened. And it means the world’s most envied tourist destination would not be scrambling to find a bottom before the quicksand we are in takes us all under. It also means the tens of thousands of jobs and dreams of Nevadans would not have disappeared along with the many thousands more that most likely will follow.

But that is not the world we are living in, and every day brings that fact home in ways more and more hurtful to people, their dreams and their pursuit of what has always been an American dream.

So, why in the world are so many people in this state — many of them in trusted leadership positions — still making noise and making decisions as if none of what has happened to us has happened? Aren’t we entitled to the kind of leaders who recognize reality and help guide us through these tough times? And aren’t we also entitled to the kind of citizenry that recognizes that the way we used to do things is out and what must be in is an attitude that embraces our challenges and seeks to do what’s right rather than more of what’s wrong?

For instance, Higher Education System Chancellor Jim Rogers broadsided our governor recently, calling him names we have thought of and some we haven’t considered because of his obstinacy in the face of incredible obstacles that stand between Nevadans and a decent future.

Instead of backing the chancellor, who was absolutely right in his assessment — regardless of the temperament he displayed in conveying his frustration — the members of the Board of Regents caved in to Gov. Jim Gibbons’ childish response and missed a golden opportunity to provide leadership for higher education.

Rogers may have been a bit intemperate in suggesting that the governor cared not one whit for ordinary Nevadans, but the regents were wrong in playing in to Gibbons’ hissy fit. The governor said he would no longer talk to or deal with the chancellor so, instead of saying “too bad, Governor, grow up and deal,” they chose an intermediary to represent the board.

I don’t know how many times it needs to be said and how many examples need to be shared with Nevadans, but it is beyond question that the kind and quality of businesses we want to attract to help us grow will not come here unless we display a commitment to higher education. And that means letting the world know that we value education. Gov. Gibbons’ plan to decimate the higher education budget and destroy all semblance of K-12 responsibility is exactly the wrong way to manifest that commitment.

And yet we hear no real outcry from the people. Admittedly and understandably, most Nevadans are scrambling to deal with their own problems right now. But they do expect our elected leadership to represent them when the closed-minded ideologues partner with the ignorant to destroy all the good that prior generations have done in this state. And when they don’t, there is no outrage, no consequences, no reason for leaders to lead.

Whenever the economy revives, Nevada has a chance to lead the pack and no longer be at the bottom in practically every indicator of quality of life. And, yet, we seem to be willing to accept mediocrity when we should be screaming from the rooftops for the kind of intelligent and enlightened leadership that will propel us forward.

Instead of the worn-out mantra of no new taxes, now is the time when the governor should be leading us toward a revenue plan that requires everyone to invest in this state. It is abundantly clear that the gaming industry and the tourists cannot carry us any longer.

I know times are tough, so I suggest we don’t ask for very much, but we can ask people who make their living in this state to start paying something toward its well-being. Being one of the lowest-taxed states in the union sounds good until you see what that buys us. Nothing.

And here’s another thought about this new world we must learn to live in.

It is not my intention to get in the middle of the Building Trades and Culinary unions. I have enough trouble trying to keep my own world in an upright position. But why does a decision about whether to spend hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer money, which we don’t have, have to come down to a fight between working men and women?

I am talking about the Las Vegas City Council’s plan to build a monument to itself — a new city hall — and the fight between the unions over whether it should be done. As long as it is seen as a fight between construction jobs for Nevadans and “get even” politics by the Culinary Union, the people are going to lose. Big time.

Nevada’s businessmen and women have had to look at the way they have done business the past few decades and find new, better and leaner ways to conduct themselves in light of the financial crisis we are in and probably will stay in for a long time.

So why should Las Vegas be spared that same self-examination? The answer is simple: It shouldn’t. The idea of spending what will be hundreds of millions of dollars — money that could otherwise be spent on long-term job creation, education, health care and myriad other under- or nonfunded community needs — on a building to handle a city government that does the same thing as our Clark County government is obscene.

When we were rolling in dough, having two local government operations was a luxury we didn’t need but could afford, so there was no sense of urgency to change. In today’s world, however, not only is the money hard to come by but so is the quality of leadership that aspires to hold positions of trust and responsibility.

Consolidation is an old idea but that doesn’t mean it is a bad one. It works for Metro Police and it works with other cross-government agencies. So why shouldn’t it work for urban government? Not only will we save millions of dollars in duplicative services but we will also save the cost of a new city hall and the people that will certainly fill it.

If there is to be any kind of silver lining to this very dark and dismal cloud that is hanging over Las Vegas’ head, let it be that we learned our lesson. Las Vegas grew to be one of the most envied cities on the planet because of people who were willing to work, contribute and share the great benefits this state afforded them.

If we want to be that place again — where life was good and dreams could be achieved — we have to stop being so selfish and purposely ignorant of our reality.

Wake up, Nevada. And while you are at it, tell that governor of ours to stop living in the past. Nevadans are suffering and could use his help.

Brian Greenspun is editor of the Las Vegas Sun.