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Letters to the Editor

Unjust enrichment

Three terminated Boulder City officials received a combined $1.875 million to settle their specious legal claims. The City Council chose consent agenda placement, meaning no public discussion as to payment merit or justification. The settlements were not confidential personnel matters.

The city consistently prevailed against two individuals in over two years of legal gymnastics. A higher-level state court requested an attempted negotiated settlement. Rather than telling the court a settlement was inappropriate, triggering an eventual court verdict, the Council prematurely caved.

Three of the five Council members are subordinates in a superior-subordinate relationship with one individual and needed to recuse themselves from voting; it did not happen. The same terminated employee was inserted by his former law partner (then the city’s mayor) into his former position, again no recusal, and paid outsized compensation inconsistent with comparable Nevada cities. The appearance of favoritism is as important as its reality.

The current mayor claimed the Council could not publicly discuss the settlements despite a full history in public court documents. It is preposterous for a 24-year elected official to make such an inaccurate statement.

Some insisted that because the city’s insurer, POOL-PACT, might pay part of the settlements, it is free money. No, Boulder City’s taxpayers pay premiums. If claims are high, the premiums increase.

The same ineffectual Council has failed to significantly reduce excessive water consumption at city facilities, seeks construction of a grandiose $50 million Olympic swimming pool complex, fails to rent city airport hangars at market rates, and fails to staunch multi-million-dollar losses at two city golf courses. Will voters care about Council’s repeated inability to prudently exercise fiduciary responsibilities, while unduly favoring friends and associates?

Fred Voltz

Only in Boulder City

Only in Boulder City, Nevada can an at-will employee be terminated for cause. Said employee sues Boulder City in Clark County District Court; loses their causes of action; appeals to Nevada Supreme aka Appellate Court. Then, Boulder City settles for $1,710,000 before the Supreme Court had reviewed the case. The two defendants that won in Clark County District Court, did not settle.

Only in Boulder City, Nevada, do the losers of Clark County District Court Cases receive over $1 million in settlement.

It pays to lose in court in Boulder City!

This is why we don’t need gambling in Boulder City, Nevada.

Edward Denaut

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.