Las Vegas City Council Ward 2 candidates

By Conor Shine

Thursday, March 28, 2013 | 2 a.m.

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  Courtesy

  Bob Beers

  Age: 53

  Occupation: City Councilman, former businessman

  Other experience: LV City Council 2012-2013; Nevada legislator 1998-2008; very experienced with government budgeting

  Questions:

  1.) As the city continues to struggle with budget deficits, what are your best one or two ideas to help balance the budget?

  The battle against waste and inefficiency is continual in any large organization, especially a governmental entity. My skills, which include professional certifications in accounting and fraud examinations, are uniquely fitted toward this ongoing responsibility to fight inefficiency. For example, I uncovered a multimillion-dollar error in the city's analysis of the decision to furlough the BoMo gray-water recycling plant. This move will likely save the city more than a quarter-million dollars a year for the next 30 years while expanding the use of gray water to irrigate parks, which saves the city money and contributes to the valley's continued improvement in water conservation.

  2.) What are one or two specific issues or projects in your ward you’d address as a city council member?

  Helping the city balance the budget and ensuring minimal disruption to core services, like the provision of public safety, if continued flat tax revenue requires the city to reduce spending.

  3.) Do you support Metro Police’s request to levy a quarter-cent sales tax increase to hire new officers? Is Las Vegas being asked to pay an equitable share of Metro’s budget?

  I voted against just such a resolution late last year out of concern over Metro's failure to respond to changing economic conditions. 2008 was the first year the city of Las Vegas spent less on operations than the year before. For Clark County, it was 2009. For Metro, it was 2010. Metro should ask the Legislature for relief from legal requirements forcing it to increase spending just to provide the same levels of service, instead of asking the Legislature to raise the sales tax for the fourth time in 10 years. A government that must increase its rate of taxation to provide the same levels of service is not sustainable.

  I do support eliminating the anti-supplantation language from current law, As well, I support the Legislature giving Metro back the proceeds from the 2009 sales tax hike which voters approved for more cops but the Legislature hijacked for state government use.

  4.) Have you differed with any positions or votes taken by the city council in the past several years? If so, please give specific examples.

  During my time on the Council (less than a year), I have cast a minority vote several times. They are all public record, and I would be happy to discuss any of them with your readers if they are interested. My cell is 592-8822.

  Had I served on the city council during 2009, I would have voted against building the new City Hall (currently about a third empty) and the Mob Museum (which will never pay back the millions of tax dollars the city put into it).

• 

  Courtesy

  Fayyaz Raja

  No biographical information submitted

  Questions:

  1.) As the city continues to struggle with budget deficits, what are your best one or two ideas to help balance the budget?

  Remove redundant programs, wipe away waste and reward efficiency and reductions. Scrutinize every city budget item and program to be certain it still serves the needs of Las Vegas taxpayers and residents.

  2.) What are one or two specific issues or projects in your ward you’d address as a city council member?

  Recruit and assist community liaison resources to facilitate prompt and aggressive attention to local issues and concerns.

  Hold regular community forums and meetings throughout the ward to meet the citizens and find out and present timely solutions to their needs and concerns.

  3.) Do you support Metro Police’s request to levy a quarter-cent sales tax increase to hire new officers? Is Las Vegas being asked to pay an equitable share of Metro’s budget?

  I strongly believe any kind of tax increases should be dealt with very careful deliberation in consultation with the business community and taxpaying citizens, and a subject where security and safety of city and its citizens are concerned, we have to look at all the parameters and their after-effects on our economy and day-to-day lives of the people before any decision or comments can be made.

  4.) Have you differed with any positions or votes taken by the city council in the past several years? If so, please give specific examples.

  I support the arts funding and my opponent does not. I support the fire department to have 100 percent control for the safety.