87°F
weather icon Windy
Boulder City, NV
Opinion

Changes appear to benefit city

More Stories
bcr default image
September offers something for everyone at Boulder City Library
bcr default image
Looking back on Sept. 11
bcr default image
What is long-term care?
bcr default image
Veterans, seniors: Scarcity of low-cost housing
By Kiernan McManus A Word from the Mayor
December 4, 2019 - 3:43 pm
 

The year 2019 is drawing to a close. It has been a year of change for Boulder City in significant ways. The Interstate 11 bypass has been open for more than a year.

And spending by local residents in our town is reported to have increased by nearly 10 percent. There are businesses that have benefited from the reduced traffic congestion along the highway, now Boulder City Parkway.

Other businesses appear to have lost revenue with the changes. That is unfortunate but it appears there has been a net gain in revenue for our business community. Existing businesses have shown their confidence in the future of Boulder City by undertaking extensive remodeling efforts.

What we have avoided is pursuing development that would have decimated our wonderful town. There are numerous studies that show existing businesses suffer significant negative impacts when commercial development occurs outside the existing city structure, such as the I-11 and Searchlight highway interchange. Communities that chased traffic patterns hastened the demise of the existing core commercial areas.

City government has begun to obtain and evaluate actual data on business activity in Boulder City to determine how best to provide information to businesses and assist in their efforts. In the past, there was too much reliance on guessing at what might be happening and not having a well-planned approach.

I was not surprised to learn that 50 percent of money spent in Boulder City by people from outside our community comes from the Las Vegas Valley. The next largest segment is from Southern California.

Neither of these groups relies on the I-11 bypass to arrive in Boulder City. Residents of the Las Vegas Valley clearly enjoy visiting our community for many of the same reasons we cherish living here. Our small-town charm and unique history are a welcome respite for many valley residents to relax and enjoy a break from the pace of Las Vegas.

Change has also occurred on the City Council. There are now new members in all of the positions on the council. Judith Hoskins was recently appointed to complete the term of the late Warren Harhay. Tracy Folda was appointed in July to complete my term after I was elected as mayor. James Howard Adams and Claudia Bridges were elected in June.

There has been talk that the current council is not diverse. If diversity is judged only on how many members have backgrounds or relationships in growth-related pursuits then there would be some truth in saying the current members are not diverse.

But diversity in membership on the City Council should not be viewed on whether a majority is present that represents land development or building interests. You can review the backgrounds of each council member on the city website at http://www.bcnv.org. I believe we now have more varied perspectives on the City Council than we have had in the past 20 years.

For the first time in the history of the council there are a majority of women serving the community. I believe James Howard Adams, at age 34, is the youngest person to be elected to the City Council. Each of those factors defines diversity and not sameness of purpose.

Each member of the council has stated their support of the conservative growth that has defined Boulder City for 40 years. Each member has also spoken of opportunities to improve the community. The suggestions I have heard from the others are not to hold Boulder City in place but to move the city forward in ways that benefit the residents and not narrow interests.

The city is undergoing a housing boom when compared to the previous three decades. Additional land around the Boulder Creek golf course may be put back on the market in the coming months for additional new homes. The land was approved for sale by the citizens years ago but did not receive any bids. New members of the council have offered ideas on how that may change.

Change can be good and I believe the new members intend to have it be very good indeed.

Happy holidays and Merry Christmas. I look forward to a very good year in 2020 for Boulder City.

Kiernan McManus is mayor of Boulder City. He is a native of Boulder City first elected to City Council in 2017.

MOST READ
LISTEN TO THE TOP FIVE HERE
THE LATEST
bcr default image
September offers something for everyone at Boulder City Library
More than Books By the Boulder City Library

As the heat finally comes down outside, inside the library we have cooked up some amazing events for this upcoming September that we’re excited to tell you all about. No matter what age our patrons are, we pride ourselves on having something for everyone, and our programming schedule for September is no exception.

bcr default image
Looking back on Sept. 11
By Ron Eland

In just over two weeks, the nation will honor the 25th anniversary of one of the worst days in the history of this country.

bcr default image
What is long-term care?
Community Heartbeat By the Boulder City Hospital

Long-term care refers to a range of services and support for people who need help with everyday activities over an extended period due to aging, chronic illness, disability, injury, or cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.

bcr default image
Veterans, seniors: Scarcity of low-cost housing
By Chuck N. Baker

Housing of all types for all sorts of individuals seems to be a buzz-word these days. But seniors and veterans especially seem to be lacking when it comes to locating reasonably affordable residences in reasonably decent neighborhoods around the state. What’s a body to do?

bcr default image
Now, that’s a really good idea !
By Rod Woodbury

We generally expect our leaders to be educated, smart, and well-informed. More often than not, we support, elect, and follow those who appear to have an answer for everything. But good leaders don’t know everything. And the very best ones know that they don’t know everything.

bcr default image
Sound decisions keep Boulder City costs down
By Paul Sikora Purchasing, Grants and Risk Manager

Boulder City residents occasionally ask how the city is able to have one of the lowest property tax rates in the state, and still provide needed functions such as police, fire, and public parks. In addition to land leases that provide 35% of our general fund budget, we also look at ways to keep costs down. As the city’s Purchasing, Grants and Risk manager for the last eight years, I have seen the city make decisions that keep us lean.

bcr default image
A quick heart-to-heart with BC
By Mayor Joe Hardy

I have a lot on my heart these days. The good news is that my heart is in great health. So… allow me to start with that.

bcr default image
Celebrating America with love
By Eric Lundgaard

The USA is the longest standing democratic republic in the history of the world. Much history has passed since the country declared its independence from Great Britain, hasn’t it? Even the king of England celebrated our independence by visiting the United States of America in April of this year.