Letters to the Editor

Slow growth will not inhibit prosperity

I very much appreciated the responses of Jan Daugherty, Ed Knapp and Byron Johns to Mayor (Rod) Woodbury’s August editorial. All these responses made very good points.

Since Mr. Johns is new to Boulder City, he probably did not know that a former council raided the utility funds to build our new golf course. Nor do I think he knows that when the solar contract was negotiated, that we do not have the ability to buy power at a reduced rate should the dam not be able to produce enough power for the city’s needs.

These facts, plus those you listed, make your suggestion to clearly separate the finance and operation of the utilities from the city government even more necessary. I also am unwilling to gamble all the land, which a more forward-thinking council bought from the Bureau of Land Management as a buffer to prevent becoming a part of the Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson megalopolis.

I agree that we have to have affordable, family-friendly housing for younger people, as well as bike paths, renovations to the recreation building, and a new pool (which is also enjoyed by seniors).

However, I don’t really agree that we need more street beautification. It will be more money spent on unnecessary facade instead of improvements which would be appreciated by residents, as well as those who choose to visit our beautiful town.

As far as Mayor Woodbury’s belief that slow growth will inhibit prosperity, I strongly disagree. I went to high school in Carpinteria, California, which has similarities to Boulder City. It is home to Carpinteria State Beach, is about the same size as Boulder City, and roughly 50 percent of the population is 50 or older. It also has a slow-growth ordinance.

On a recent trip back there, I asked how their economy is doing. One person commented that there were more tourists than usual this year. When we went downtown, the restaurants seem to be doing a brisk business.

One difference is their Haggen store has already been replaced by a Smart and Final and the Albertsons is busy, too. Mayor Woodbury made reference to being unable to entice another grocery store to Boulder City.

Recently, I went to a grocery business in Henderson. While there, I asked the manager, if there was a chance that his company would open a store in Boulder City. He answered that he had heard that the company was having trouble negotiating with Boulder City.

If you have been in Albertsons lately, you have probably noticed that it is very busy. Our town was able to support two markets for many years. It should still be able to now. Is someone hoping to have a market closer to one of the off ramps?

Another difference is that Carpinteria has four or five off ramps from U.S. Highway 101, which was built a few decades ago. There have been new businesses built, but not many by the off ramps. Instead the exits take visitors into the town.

Businesses that are built by the freeway will attract traffic that is going past. An off ramp that goes to the historic part of Boulder City will attract visitors. I believe that there will have to be an exit by Railroad Pass which would come to Boulder City and one by the Hoover Dam Lodge. Will either of these off ramps be used to attract business to old Boulder? Or will it be a case of the new businesses attracting all the business?

Kathryn Hartman