76°F
weather icon Clear
Boulder City, NV
Opinion

Letters to the Editor, March 29

More Stories
bcr default image
Alumni events, marriage and a real Nazi
bcr default image
Las Vegas Veterans’ Memorial to Boulder City?
bcr default image
City manager bids fond farewell
bcr default image
Is the grass always greener?
By Boulder City Review
March 28, 2018 - 3:47 pm
 

Utility projects seem larger, more costly than necessary

I attended the Boulder City Fiscal Year 2018-2019 budget workshop on March 15. The primary purpose of this workshop was for staff and council to discuss the utility fund capital improvement plan. The two largest Fiscal Year 2018-2019 capital projects are the 69kV transmission lines at $2 million to $5 million and the Eldorado Valley water line with a year one cost of $3 million and a year two cost of $2 million ($5 million total).

The stated purpose of the 69kV project is to provide a backup loop between substations for emergency use in case of a power failure. The proposed $2 million to $5 million design far exceeds this purpose. Previous city administrators have called this design the “Taj Mahal” of electrical lines, and they asked staff to bring the design in line with the stated purpose.

Why are we building monuments on the backs of the existing utility ratepayers? Do we really need three 69kV transmission lines, four distribution lines and a yet-to-be determined number of fiber optic cables to provide emergency power?

The stated purpose of the Eldorado Valley water line is to provide existing users more water and to provide the capability to support growth in the Eldorado Valley. The primary existing users are the solar plants. Why are we building additional water lines to support the solar plants and future developers on the backs of the existing utility ratepayers? Shouldn’t they be paying for these improvements themselves?

If these are the examples of what the utility rate increase is being used for, then I suspect there will be even more rate increases in the future.

Tom Perkins

Expansion of municipal airport may not benefit residents

As I sit here listening for the third time today the airplane over my house climb for altitude to drop the skydivers, (I wonder) why exactly are we expanding the airport. Is it for more tourists?

From what I see, the last expansion did not bring tourists to our town, unless you consider those bussed down Veterans Memorial Drive, dropped off, then the reverse when they come back. Is this expansion going to bring more revenue into the city?

It would be interesting to see if the landing fees, rental on the hangars and fuel charges have been paid and exactly what it costs the citizens of Boulder City to operate the airport.

When I moved here 19 years ago, a lot of the hangars were rented by locals and were considered an asset in buying and living in Boulder City. I wonder if this is still true. I know of at least one person who moved because they were unhappy.

I’m asking the citizens of Boulder City if they want our airport to become a Henderson airport with all the air traffic overhead. The city should justify the cost of any more expansion, account for the costs to operate compared to income and say what they see as the benefit to the citizens of Boulder City.

Barbara Kenney

Details about Nevada sought for fourth-grader’s school project

Hello. I am a fourth-grade student in North Carolina. In fourth grade we research a state for our state fair, and I have chosen your state. I am very excited to learn more about the great state of Nevada as I work on my report.

While we will research most of the information ourselves, we also like to get firsthand knowledge from people who live in the state. This is why I am writing to you. I was hoping that you would be willing to send me some small items to help me learn more about the best things in your state. It could be things like postcards, maps, pictures, general information, this newspaper article or any other items that you think would be useful.

You can mail items to the address below by April 30 for our state fair on May 18. I really appreciate your help and will do my very best to send a thank you note to each and every person who takes the time and makes the effort to help me with this project. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Walter Smith

Mr. McConaughy’s class

Charlotte Latin School,

9502 Providence Road,

Charlotte, NC 28277

THE LATEST
bcr default image
Alumni events, marriage and a real Nazi
By Bill Evans Boulder City Review

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.

bcr default image
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.

bcr default image
City manager bids fond farewell
By Ron Eland Boulder City Review

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.

bcr default image
Is the grass always greener?
Eric Lundgaard

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?

bcr default image
Parting is such sweet sorrow
By Joe Hardy Boulder City Mayor

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)

bcr default image
Me, my brother and Silo Sam
By Ron Eland Boulder City Review

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.

bcr default image
Let’s talk about the ‘D Word’
By Bill Evans Boulder City Review

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.

bcr default image
Make a new plan, Stan
Bu Rod Woodbury

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.

bcr default image
Time to recognize unsung heroes
By Tim Shea Boulder City Chief of Police

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.

bcr default image
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.