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Letters to the Editor, April 26

Cooperation might save old diner

Regarding the letter that was printed in the Boulder City Review on April 19, I had received a lot of comments about the boarded up businesses, so with other suggestions I contacted Connie Ferraro and discussed painting murals.

I contacted Charles Lawson, and he met with me about painting the murals to cover up the ugly building he had at Mel’s Diner. I agreed to pay for the paint and accessories, and Charlie Mitchell Painting would provide the labor and prime the wood. I paid for the paint and received help from passers-by and Jack Gaal. It turned out beautiful.

Lawson was good for anything. I would ask him about colors, and he said to use whatever color. It was up to us. It was beautiful.

Something went wrong, because Lawson wanted to tear the whole building down and got permission from the city. The city advised Lawson that he could not damage the murals as they belonged to the painters.

What happened? Well, Lawson put the buildings up for sale, and there are no buyers. Maybe it is the fact the price is too high.

We thought of trying something like we did for the Boulder Dam Hotel. Instead of asking for donations constantly to keep the hotel open, we came to a simple conclusion: Let’s get 100 rich guys, families or businesses and have each put up $10,000. That would buy the loan against the hotel by the Boulder Dam Credit Union. It wasn’t easy for us to collect, so we got Leslie Woodbury to take over, and that she did.

Why can’t we find some more rich folks and buy Lawson’s buildings. One reason is some of the people living here now with money don’t know how it used to be. Some are new locals compared to us old-timers. People with money don’t make bad deals, or they wouldn’t have any very long.

The fact is it belongs to Lawson, and it is up to him. You would think that (because) he has money and has already made a bad deal, he can’t get it back by another high-price deal. … Lower the price; do something for Boulder City.

I know Lawson had some difficulty with our administration, and he probably didn’t get a proper deal, but now that’s over, and on we go.

Charles “Pepper” Coombes

Time to weed out bad employees

There are bad apples in our city government. Who are they? There appears to be a culture in our city government that says it is fine to harass and try to create mischief for citizens who are only trying to hold them accountable. Our City Council and city manager should be weeding them out, but instead they seem to allow them to continue unabated.

When is it going to stop? When are we going to have a city government that is more responsive to the people than to the rich businessmen in our city? Hopefully, we will only have to wait until our next election of council members.

Elizabeth Powell

THE LATEST
Alumni events, marriage and a real Nazi

Ron’s column from a few weeks ago inspired me to tell a story about a weird event from my past. Mine is not as exciting as his in that there is no wrestler named Silo Sam. But there is at least one Nazi. And, no, not the current “I disagree with your politics so you are a Nazi” version. An actual card-carrying member of the party.

Las Vegas Veterans’ Memorial to Boulder City?

Veterans’ memorials can be found all over the Silver State. They are well deserved. They honor individuals who served the nation, and also commemorate battles and events regarding the many military anniversaries in Nevada.

City manager bids fond farewell

I may be leaving Boulder City, but it was not an easy decision. From the first time I came in and met the staff and community leaders, I saw a city filled with people who truly care about where they live and work. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to work with some incredible people.

Is the grass always greener?

Many people in the past played a golf game to cement a business deal, didn’t they? They also played golf to socialize. Has Boulder City recognized lessening play on golf courses? Or, from another perspective, what happens when million-dollar homes are placed around our open space golf course with views of the McCullough Mountains? Do fewer people play golf on the Boulder Creek golf course?

Parting is such sweet sorrow

Shakespeare was the man when it came to comedy and tragedy. His ability to make people feel the intense emotions of the characters is still imitated today. The past few months have been filled with a bit of excited anticipation at City Hall as several longtime and high-level employees have found new roles in other acts. I’m here to borrow some Shakespearean lines, the first being from Ophelia, “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.” (Hamlet)

Me, my brother and Silo Sam

Recently, I’ve been enjoying watching shows on A&E related to professional wrestling back in the earlier days, with profiles on wrestlers I grew up watching as well as classic rivalries.

Let’s talk about the ‘D Word’

OK, as a starting point, I must note that it’s weird to think that I might be writing something that would put me in agreement with the Language Police.

Make a new plan, Stan

A plan is a method for achieving a desirable objective. It’s a program of action, usually memorialized in writing. Plans start with goals and ideas. But ideas alone (even good ones) don’t constitute a plan.

Time to recognize unsung heroes

We have so many functions within the Boulder City Police Department, from school resource officers to road patrol to the detective bureau. The work that they do keeps Boulder City among the “Safest Cities in Nevada” (newhomesource.com, alarm.com) year after year. One unit is the backbone of our public safety response: Public Safety Dispatchers.

Honoring National Public Health Week

In my eight decades of this amazing life, I have worn a great many hats: son, brother, father, major (USAF), grandfather, council member, state representative, state senator.