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Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013 | 12:20 p.m.
Sen. John Lee, D-North Las Vegas
Sun Archives
A former state senator on Wednesday announced his candidacy for mayor of North Las Vegas.
John Lee, who served 15 years in the Nevada Legislature, said the city’s financial difficulties and the city’s current leadership prompted his decision.
“We pay more taxes than any other city, yet we have fewer police, fewer firefighters, decaying infrastructure, the list truly goes on and on,” Lee said in a statement. “This is quicksand leadership mired in bad decision-making.”
Lee singled out incumbent Mayor Shari Buck for criticism on two specific projects: development of Craig Ranch Regional Park without the money to open it, and the building of the $250 million City Hall.
Lee was first elected to the Nevada Assembly in 1997, then in 2004 was elected to the State Senate. He lost his bid for re-election to his state seat in the June primary He is chairman of the Clark County Shooting Range and a member of the executive board for the Las Vegas Area Council, Boys Scouts of America.
He and his wife, Marilyn, have seven children and 17 grandchildren.
The candidate filing period opens Jan. 22 and ends Feb. 1.
I would wager that NLV has the highest rate of citizens receiving government subsidies.
If so, the taxes that the NLV citizens pay are not enriching other areas of the state, as Mr. Lee suggests.
The local government expenditures and revenues are public record information. I sure wish that seasoned politicians would campaign on documented facts instead of disingenuous rhetoric.
Glad to hear it! Sen. Lee knows his way around the public-arena and unlike many elected officials, knows how to listen and gather knowledge about what he's dealing with... further, he doesn't try to be all things to all people... he's a class-act and a straight-shooter!
North Las Vegas is at a critical crossroad with this election. Our Libraries, Recreation Centers, Senior Services, Code Enforcement, Police, Redevelopment Department, Parks Department just to name a few have all been cut to dangerous low levels, with some to a point of being unable to provide our residents and businesses with the services and quality of life amenities that we all deserve, and I speak from a position of knowledge as Councilman for Ward 4 from 2009-11. Self-serving political support has always played a priority role as a deciding factor in decision making with our current mayor and as former councilwoman I'm sad to say as a resident. We need also to look at our street conditions with increased Graffiti, unrepaired street lighting, lack of proper required intersection safety traffic signals and crosswalks for our pedestrians and children, and street debris still visible from our last heavy storm due to almost non-existent infrastructure maintenance staffing levels as a small indication as to where the priorities and past needed support of the mayor by other specific ward council members to address these issues has not been. John Lee I know has the ability, vision, and sincere desire to lead our city in the critical 4 years ahead and place our families safety, our quality of life issues, and the acquiring of not only new business but supporting our current business owners as priorities from day one. Campaigns are about candidates, but the results of elections, and constituent services are about us.
I will easily support Lee over Buck who has caused NLV to suffer both financially and politically. This is an important election to strengthen our City's fiscal and political viability.