105°F
weather icon Windy

Veterans urged to voice opinions to Legislature

The Nevada Department of Veterans Services held its 2017 Legislative Summit earlier this month in Las Vegas. Emceed by outreach manager Blake Boles, the department shared its vision with several hundred veterans by discussing recommendations concerning upcoming legislation.

State Sen. Joe Hardy, R-Nev., told veterans that “It’s about you, collectively.” He stressed that veterans are united and collectively they have the power to change things for the better. He indicated that problems should be put together with solutions.

Assemblyman Chris Edwards, R-Nev., reported that he will chair the Veterans Caucus at the 2017 Nevada Legislative session in Carson City. He urged veterans to visit with state senators and assemblymen before those officials report for duty in Carson City. Veterans should let them know their ideas on legislation, but at the same time they must realize that any bills involving money take longer to prepare and are generally more difficult to pass.

Edwards explained the legislative process and spoke about what gets amended and what gets voted down. “We don’t have time to read them all,” he admitted. As a result he explained that phone calls, letters and emails are a big help for officials in bringing issues to their attention.

“You are very effective as advocates and as a policy group,” said Shelia Jackson, local VA director of federal benefits.

Peggy Kerns, director of the veterans Southern Nevada Medical Clinic, agreed, saying, “We rely on you to promote the legislative process.”

Cesar Melgarejo, policy analyst for the Interagency Council on Veteran Services, discussed bills that are coming before the Legislature, and Director of the Nevada Department of Veterans Services Kat Miller explained a number of other bills while giving an update on the department’s budget priorities as well as praising the veterans home in Boulder City, which is operated by her department.

Tony Yarbrough, the Nevada Legislative representative for Veterans of Foreign Wars District 1, gave his recommendations concerning legislation and discussed expanding veterans courts. He also said he was seeking to designate Nevada as a Purple Heart state, which would recognize and honor Nevada’s Purple Heart veterans.

March 15 has been designated as Military and Veterans Day at the Legislature.

Detailed information on current veterans bills was distributed to those attending the summit. Information on bills can be obtained by visiting www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL or www.veterans.nv.gov.

Chuck N. Baker is a Purple Heart veteran of the Vietnam War and the host of “That’s America to Me” every Sunday at 7 a.m. on 97.1-FM.

MOST READ
THE LATEST
Toll Brothers gets split decision

The development of the area near Boulder Creek Golf Course known as Tract 350 (the sale of which is slated to pay for the majority of the planned replacement for the aging municipal pool) may have hit a snag last week as the planning commission voted 5-1 to deny the developers’ request to build houses closer to the street than is allowed under current law.

Council gives nod to 185 new hangars

There is at least one part of Boulder City that is set to see growth in the coming years. A lot of growth.

Boulder City ready to celebrate America

Boulder City resident James Cracolici may have put it best when he called the annual July 4 Damboree, “The crown jewel of all events held in Boulder City.”

BC can ban backyard breeders

Although there is nothing on any city agenda yet, the resolution of the issue of whether pet breeding will be allowed in Boulder City took a huge step forward last week as Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford released an official opinion on the intent and limitations of state law that had been requested by city staff last year.

Completion dates for two road projects pushed back

Mayor Joe Hardy tacitly acknowledged that Boulder City gets, perhaps, more than its fair share of funding from the Regional Transportation Commission, given the city’s size.

Businesses recognized at Chamber awards night

The Boulder City Chamber of Commerce’s annual installation and awards night featured many business owners in town and even had an appearance, albeit an A.I.-generated one, by Audrey Hepburn.

Parallel parking approved

Like so many other things in the world of Boulder City government, the issue of reconfiguring parking in the historic downtown area along Nevada Way, which generated enough heat to cause council members to delay a decision up until the last possible moment, ended with more of a whimper than a bang.

Ways to reduce summer power bills

Now that the thermometer is on the rise outdoors, the cost to cool homes and businesses on the inside is doing the same.