87°F
weather icon Windy

Ombudsman could improve communication between officials, residents

April 4 is primary election day in Boulder City for new City Council members, and this year we have a good choice of candidates. Their election goals are fairly similar.

Over the past year or so there has been talk of ethics violations and improprieties in running the city, increases in utility fees, the threat of runaway housing development on limited city land, the destruction of historic properties such as the original Boulder City Hospital, key businesses leaving the city with boarded-up buildings, concerns surrounding the Boulder City bypass and the deterioration of public facilities, including the city pool. Newly elected City Council members will have a busy term or two facing these challenges.

At least one candidate, Warren Harhay, has raised the question of whether Boulder City needs an ombudsman (or two: one for businesses and one for citizens). But most people do not know what an ombudsman (or woman) is or does, even though many cities have them. The question of whether Boulder City currently has an official or unofficial ombudsman is uncertain and depends on who you ask at City Hall.

From the online dictionary, vocabulary.com (https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/ombudsman), I learned that your state representative is your unofficial ombudsman in dealing with government issues. The link gives the origin of the word and its definition: “The word ombudsman comes from the Swedish ombudsman, meaning ‘legal representative.’ An ombudsman is a legal representative, often appointed by a government or organization to investigate complaints made by individuals in the interest of the citizens or employees. Usually this is a state official appointed to oversee an investigation of complaints about improper government activity against citizens.”

So, do we need an ombudsman? I believe that we do. Inquiries at City Hall about simple matters, such as how and where to dig if you have a sewer or water problem at your residence or the disappearance of our marked crosswalks, meets with either conflicting information from different departments or even silly responses such as “the marked crosswalks are just for decoration.” (Personal inquiry at City Hall). City Hall needs information provided to the citizenry to be concise, accurate and equivalent across departments.

Perhaps asking the City Council to appoint an ombudsman is like asking the fox to lie down with the chickens. Also, whether the citizens need, want or can finance one or even two ombudsmen is debatable. And who would want to take on this onerous challenge? The appointed persons should not have a political or other axe to grind, should be long-term residents, be respected by the citizenry and should have a qualification or two in the service of their community.

The citizens of Boulder City certainly need a representative or two in dealing with City Hall. The current climate of misunderstanding, conflicting information and confusion needs to change, and citizens need advocates in dealing with the changes that are surely coming to Boulder City in the near future. How we manage this is another matter.

Angela Smith is a Ph.D. life coach, author and educator who has been resident of Nevada since 1992. She can be reached at catalyst78@cox.net.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Fighting fire with desire

Boulder City’s fire department has been busy lately. Busy, that is, preparing. Like any good firefighters, the best work they’ll ever do doesn’t involve actual fires. Rather, it involves prevention, education, training, and readiness, just in case those rare emergencies arise.

BCPD invites you to National Night Out on Oct. 3

Policing is a career that requires men and women with skills, patience and understanding. The Boulder City Police Department is filled with officers who truly care for this community and the people in it.

Hangar leases: Attempting to set the record straight

The recent articles, along with a letter to the editor concerning the newly-adopted airport hangar leases, gave the impression to the reader that the citizens of Boulder City are being cheated out of potential airport revenue.

Rifle and Pistol Club important to BC, region

Buying, owning and carrying firearms is easy in Nevada. Every good gun owner will tell you that safe habits, a sense of caution and practice are critical for safe firearms ownership. Learning these values can help keep you – and the people around you – safe. Here in Boulder City, the Rifle and Pistol Club has been teaching safe handling and use of firearms for more than 60 years.

Letters to the Editor

Happy with article

Eagle pride alive and well at BCHS

As some of you may know, I grew up in Boulder City. So, I’m an Eagle at heart with blue and gold pumping through my veins. I know. That combination would make some kind of green color but you get where I’m going.

The Great Hangar Debate of 2023

For the past month, more or less, I have found myself returning more often than usual to the tome that most shaped and informed the way I look at government and politics.

Letters to the Editor

A concrete plan

Sending aloha from Nevada to Hawaii

My plan when writing a column is to try and be lighthearted and focus on Boulder City-related issues or fond memories from my past growing up here.

Splashing in Cash

We’ve never liked the “G” word around here. “GROWTH” is a four-letter word in Boulder City. Our controlled growth ordinances are among the most stringent in the U.S. “Development” is another naughty word that we don’t like saying much.