In annual address, mayor says city will surmount adversity

amanda llewellyn/viewMayor Shari Buck makes her State of the City address in a ballroom at Texas Station, Jan. 21. Buck lauded North Las Vegans for pulling together during the recent tough times and urged residents to spend their money close to home to boost the city?s economy. Advertisement

Coming together for change was the theme of the 14th annual North Las Vegas State of the City event held at Texas Station Jan. 21.

The event, which lasted about 90 minutes, included a brief speech from North Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Chairman Joe Cain and highlighted the heroic actions of several North Las Vegas residents during the past year.

Residents such as 10-year-old Rachel Dean and 11-year-old Chazz Blunt, both of whom acted boldly to save people who were in peril last summer, were honored with applause and an acknowledgement from Mayor Shari Buck.

Buck cited these and other residents as wonderful examples of "becoming the change you want to see in a community."

Buck said she and other council members have pondered how they might also become the change they would like to see.

"We can begin by identifying what needs to change. We can begin by providing the leadership that you deserve. We can begin by setting a vision for the future. And we can begin by identifying opportunities for gratitude and joy," she said.

Buck said she and council members Robert Eliason, William Robinson, Anita Wood and Richard Cherchio are dedicated to resolving the formidable financial and economic dilemmas facing the city.

"There's no doubt we have difficult decisions ahead," she said.

While noting that the economy has been grim, Buck said that during these tough times, she has seen the community grow closer as residents have leaned on one another to endure.

Buck addressed the housing crisis, saying the city has received $8.6 million in federal funding that is being used for a home buyer assistance program.

"We will purchase abandoned and foreclosed homes. Then, with the help of nonprofit partners, we will rehabilitate, resell or rent those properties," she said. Buck also said the city's Economic Development Department is working with local businesses to bring economic relief to North Las Vegas.

"One of the best examples I can share with you is the story of the Apex/Kapex industrial area. Over the past 18 months, Apex Industrial Park and other segments of this area have sought annexation to the city. To date, about 11,500 acres have been annexed in the city of North Las Vegas -- that's about 18 square miles of industrial land," she said. "The most exciting part of the annexation has been the recent designation of City View Business Park as a Foreign Trade Zone.

"This designation will attract industrial and manufacturing businesses, assembly plants and major distribution centers. These businesses will bring jobs," she said.

Buck said that during the last year, the city issued more than 1,500 new business licenses and that she believes the corner has been turned.

"But we know we're only at the beginning of our recovery," she said.

According to Buck, the Economic Development staff is working to organize a panel of experts who can help the city understand how to gain a competitive edge in the global industrial development market.

Buck encouraged residents to shop, seek entertainment and buy locally in an effort to buoy North Las Vegas businesses during the economic storm.

"When you buy groceries, go to the cleaners ... when you buy furniture or electronics ... when you go out for a night on the town ... go local. Buy local," she implored.

Buck, who was elected mayor in 2009, also touched on projects that are in the planning stages or are due to be completed, including the construction of a new fire station, improvements to two more fire facilities, the police department, the Veterans Affairs hospital, completion of the Sky View Multi-Generational Center and the Water Reclamation Facility.

"I'm proud to announce that even in a tight budget year, we have planned well enough to increase public safety services," she said.

Buck said that $5 from each of the tickets sold for the State of the City event will be donated to Three Square food bank.

Julie Murray, Three Square's chief operating officer, said the donation of more than $3,000 will go a long way toward alleviating hunger.

"One in eight Nevadans are struggling with hunger," she said. "We are so excited by this donation because there is such a great need out there. This is going to make a difference in a lot of lives."

Both of the children honored during the address performed acts of bravery. Dean rescued a 4-year-old girl who was at risk of drowning in a swimming pool, and Blunt pulled a 7,000-pound motorcycle off of a woman who had been involved an accident near Craig Road and Decatur Boulevard.

Contact North Las Vegas and Downtown View reporter Amanda Llewellyn at allewellyn@viewnews.com or 380-4535.