Las Vegas Sun

November 8, 2009

Currently: 70° | Complete forecast | Log in

Joe Schoenmann

Reporter/Clark County

Search Joe's stories

Contact Joe via e-mail

Call Joe at 702-455-6175.

Recent Stories (view all stories)

Commissioner grills officials on bid process
Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009
The wrangling over bids for county contracts continues to be an issue for county commissioners — and provided one of them with a “Perry Mason” moment during last week’s meeting.
County considers suing over travel Web site room taxes
Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009
As other parts of the country win tens of millions of dollars in court judgments against online tourism companies, Clark County commissioners are talking about following suit. At issue is the amount of hotel room taxes paid by online travel sites.
Competition for county work worth a look?
Commissioners say maybe, but they raise several questions
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009
The “runaway” costs of unionized employees have municipalities across the nation considering “managed competition,” which forces public employee unions to compete for their public jobs.
Pay increase is only for some under DA
As court reinstates raises of most-senior prosecutors, it takes away pay hikes for their lowest-paid colleagues
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009
Clark County’s highest paid prosecutors are getting the raises they fought for this year, but their less experienced colleagues are paying the price.
Likely cost of state mandate on marking sewer lines: $700,000
Two high-tech trucks that would find sewer laterals carry that price tag
Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009
Laterals have to be located and marked due to a law passed by the 2009 Legislature. A lateral is the pipe that extends from the sewer main in the middle of the street to a home or business. Homes in other states have exploded when those sewer laterals were accidentally breached and the gas was sparked.
Budget cuts could thin the ranks of foster parents
State budget squeeze spurs county to propose lower stipends for families
Friday, Oct. 30, 2009
Having taken in some 200 foster children over the past 11 years, Jeanmarie Schirling knows the rewards of providing a safe home and some measure of joy to children who have known so little happiness.
Sabra Smith-Newby, Clark County Director Of Administrative Services
The county's chief in-house lobbyist on the state's brutal legislative session
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009
A soft-spoken Clark County employee was in the middle of the no-holds-barred brawl between Clark County and the state Legislature this year, when the state was trying to take the county’s money and the county was trying to keep it.
Employees get OK to switch unions — and 3% raises
Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009
With no comment, Clark County commissioners approved what amounts to about 3 percent raises for 16 employees of the Clark County Fire Department last week.
Commissioners keep park for disabled off funding list
Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009
An effort to build a park for people with disabilities was set back this week when county officials decided not to put it on a federal funding list despite Sen. John Ensign’s all but guaranteeing he would secure millions more to get the park completed.
Low bidder loses out to county workforce
One commissioner calls decision ‘ridiculous,’ says process undermines concept of free enterprise
Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009
In what one Clark County commissioner called a classic example of the sometimes ridiculous way government operates, the county solicited and opened bids for a project only to decide Tuesday to do the work in-house at a higher cost. The county has about 40,000 manholes, which the county calls “access structures” because “manhole” is politically incorrect.

(view all stories)

Recent Blog Entries (view all entries)

Housing construction drop costs 30 jobs at LV City Hall
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Housing construction drop costs 30 jobs at LV City Hall

Thirty employees at Las Vegas City Hall are going to lose their jobs next month, because of the drop in new home construction.

New life to REI Neon's downtown arena plans
Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008
Closed park no closer to reopening
Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008
City councilman really angry -- just don't ask about what
Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008
Council picks city lawyer for judicial post
Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008
How cold is it?
Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008
Small turnout at King Day parade
Monday, Jan. 21, 2008


Long lines at Doolittle Center
Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008
Police showdown with VFW post postponed
Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008
A park with quite a story arc
Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008

(view all entries)

  • Most Read
  • Discussed
  • Most E-mailed

Calendar »

  • 8 Sun
  • 9 Mon
  • 10 Tue
  • 11 Wed
  • 12 Thu