Quite literally the city of North Las Vegas has decided to urinate on Clark County and the rest of Vegas Valley.  It has started to release it’s lightly treated pee-water from it’s brand-new pee-water recycling plant into a [...]]]> Anywhere but Norftown and you’d take a headline like the above as a mere metaphor. Not here.

Quite literally the city of North Las Vegas has decided to urinate on Clark County and the rest of Vegas Valley.  It has started to release it’s lightly treated pee-water from it’s brand-new pee-water recycling plant into a ditch designed to drown kids during heavy rains.

Now, I’m forced to conclude that the ditch was designed to drown kids during heavy runoffs because, to hear the county commission describe the runoff channel the lightly treated pee-water gushes through, it is always full of neighborhood children tempting the rain gods by spending most of their days riding their bikes there.

Not surprisingly, residents near to Nor’Town’s “discharge” have found it a bit stinky. (Sun) If you can call eye-burning fumes “a bit stinky,” I mean.

Meanwhile, the never-ending election for Ward 4 is set to continue for a year or two more. After Toothless Wade Wagner found himself a judge to force the city council to canvass votes in the election, Richard Cherchio found himself a judge to keep Wagner from getting the official election certificate. (RJ)

Gotta love the fair and balanced headline over at the Review Journal which says the “winner”–presumably Toothless Wade–was kept off council by the (second) judge. The Dentist “won” the election by one vote in an election where at least one vote was illegally cast. Also, Cherchio is by latest accounts going to ask for a recount. So, calling Toothless Wade the “winner” is a might premature.

Nevada Admiral-Governor Brian Sandoval Invades North Las Vegas

Meanwhile Shari Buck, the soon-to-be ex-mayor of the soon-to-be ex-city of North Las Vegas,  was on the radio machine today trying to blame everybody but herself for the fact that “her” city will soon be taken over by the state due to its inability to pay its bills or govern itself. (Sun) Somehow she failed to convey the idea that the reason all other unions except the police have made wage concessions probably has more to do with her extremely close ties to that very union than any alleged misdeeds by other council members. Why should the cop union concede anything when they know she won’t say “no” to her husband, the police union lobbyist? The mayor is so spineless viz the cop unions that she couldn’t even prevent her police union friends and family from putting up signs inviting criminals to make Nor’Town their community of choice.

The mayor can’t even control her political base. Any surprise she can’t run the city?

Be sure to enjoy these other tidbits from the Shari Buck radio hour: How she’s calling the new council “wonderful”. That apparently means: thank Gawd Robinson and–at least temporarily–Cherchio are gone, and that Pamela Goynes-Brown, at least so far, seems willing to obey her police union masters. The mayor is still hopeful, it seems, that she can turn all those 1-4 council votes against her into 3-2 votes in her, and the union’s, favor.

But the drollest moment comes when she dares to claim that the Cherchio-Wagner campaign was the dirtiest in Nor’Town history. How soon we forget the Buck-Robinson mud-fest for mayor in 2009. Remember the sudden appearance the FBI file alleging Robinson took a bribe? Remember Buck’s fliers attacking Robinson on the issue? Remember the police union attacking Robinson for ethics’ violations, later dismissed? Remember then-Mayor Mike’s voter suppression campaign?

The Cherchio/Wagner race was pretty tame compared to 20-ought-9.

From the Protectors of Tule Springs:

Upper Las Vegas Wash Paleontological Resources Site Stewardship Program

Become a Paleontological Site Steward and volunteer to help protect fossil resources! Learn about preservation laws, local paleontology, and how to steward a region for land agencies. Course:Site Stewardship Paleontology Training

Place:BLM Las Vegas Field Office Conference Room 4701 [...]]]>

From the Protectors of Tule Springs:

Upper Las Vegas Wash Paleontological Resources Site Stewardship Program

Become a Paleontological Site Steward and volunteer to help protect fossil resources! Learn about preservation laws, local paleontology, and how to steward a region for land agencies.
Course:Site Stewardship
Paleontology Training

Place:BLM Las Vegas
Field Office
Conference Room
4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive
Las Vegas, Nevada
Spring 2011 Dates:

Workshops:
March 25th, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
March 26th, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Field Training:
April 16th, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
April 17th, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Site stewardship classes for paleontology will consist of both classroom-style presentations and “hands-on” fieldwork.
A cooperative effort of the Bureau of Land Management, the San Bernardino County Museum, the Nevada Archaeological Association, and the Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs State Historic Preservation Office.
Please RSVP by March 18th, 2011!
Kathleen Springer (909) 307-2669 x242 kspringer@sbcm.sbcounty.gov

No news yet if the newly Republicanized Congress will move to shut down attempts to make the area from which the elephantine molar was pulled into [...]]]> More excited than dentists at a incisor convention, Vegas bigwigs hailed the extraction of a Columbian Mammoth tusk from the dessicated gums of North Las Vegas this week. (RJ,Sun).

No news yet if the newly Republicanized Congress will move to shut down attempts to make the area from which the elephantine molar was pulled into a fossil bed national monument. After all, it has a bunch a anti-conservative strikes against it. One, the area could prove a excellent spot to study climate change over tens of thousands of years. Now that the conservatives have won over the hearts and mind of Americans, we all know climate change is a myth made up by Al Gore. Two, the park would interfere with the dream of some to blanket the area with cramped, poorly constructed homes made mostly of sticks and mud. Hey, given the economy, it’s a stupid dream, but one still near and dear to local hucksters’ hearts–mainly the ones selling mud and sticks or planning to run for the County Commission. Finally, those fossils undermine the idea that the world was created in 4004 B.C., an idea that will no doubt be part of an amendment to the Constitution enforcing manual annual attendance at the local evangelical super-church to be proposed by the Sarah Palin administration.

Still, maybe those bones will do more for Nor’Town than Zappos will for Sou’Town.

And just try to imagine what would have happened to the monument if Sharron Angle were your senator.

From KVBC:

I’m sure you have all seen some of the latest press coverage regarding the delay in creating the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument!!

Since we have not had an informational meeting since February it is about time to get everyone updated. So…..

WHEN:               THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28TH 7-8:30PM

WHERE:             SUN CITY [...]]]> From POTS:

-North Las Vegas City Councilman Richard Cherchio will give the North Las Vegas viewpoint on the NV Energy request
-OVERVIEW OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND WHERE WE GO FROM HERE-John Hiatt serves on many Conservation Group boards and has been involved with Nevada Lands Legislation for many years.
-UPDATE ON BLM ENVIORNMENTAL IMPACT STUDY WHICH IS NOT YET FINALIZED

No political speakers will be allowed. The Protectors of Tule Springs is advocating for the protection of 23,000 acres of BLM land as a Fossil Beds National Monument managed by the National Park Service.

HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE THERE AND BRING A FRIEND!!!!!

In the Las Vegas Review Journal, we learn that the power company may not really want to start drilling new holes out in the North Wash. They’ll run into a ton of fossils and have to stop digging every [...]]]> Couple of stories about NVEnergy’s plan to string wire all over Nor’Town showed up this week.

In the Las Vegas Review Journal, we learn that the power company may not really want to start drilling new holes out in the North Wash. They’ll run into a ton of fossils and have to stop digging every time for paleontological evaluations, says Lynn Davis, a local field office manager for the National Parks Conservation Association. Might turn out quicker to string ‘em through Utah.

The Northern View opted for a naval theme about last week’s Nor’Townie council meeting on the proposed park. They suggested the council had “fired a shot” across the bow of NVEnergy. Though one would have to picture council on a raft with a pea-shooter and NVEnergy as an aircraft carrier to get an accurate picture of everyone’s position in that metaphor.

Still, let’s keep those cards and letters pouring into the offices of our representatives, kids. Tell Harry he might lose some votes in Blue Nor’Town unless he twists old Mike Yackira’s arm a bit.

Harry Ried

Lloyd D. George Building
333 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Suite 8016
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: 702-388-5020 / Fax: 702-388-5030

John Ensign

333 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Suite 8203
Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
Phone: (702) 388-6605
Fax: (702) 388-6501
Nevada Toll Free: (877) 894-7711

Shelley Berkley

2340 Paseo Del Prado, Suite D-106
Las Vegas, NV 89102
Phone: (702) 220-9823
Fax: (702) 220-9841

The Sun and the Review Journal report that Mayor Shari Buck has been in contact the [...]]]> The City Council has unanimously authorized the acting city attorney to take part in the decision-making process concerning NVEnergy’s goofy idea to place a new set of powerlines across the area of the proposes fossil bed national monument. (CNLV)

The Sun and the Review Journal report that Mayor Shari Buck has been in contact the the poohbahs over at NVEnergy. Buck claims that the NVEnergy folks are “aggressively” looking into alternatives. (LVSun,RJ)

Generally good news, it seems. It’s probably still a good idea to keep bugging your representatives about it:

Harry Ried

Lloyd D. George Building
333 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Suite 8016
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: 702-388-5020 / Fax: 702-388-5030

John Ensign

333 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Suite 8203
Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
Phone: (702) 388-6605
Fax: (702) 388-6501
Nevada Toll Free: (877) 894-7711

Shelley Berkley

2340 Paseo Del Prado, Suite D-106
Las Vegas, NV 89102
Phone: (702) 220-9823
Fax: (702) 220-9841

Mammoth Takes Stance on Harry Reid

The president of the (deep breath) North Las Vegas Alliance of Home Owners and Concerned Citizens, sent out the following statement about NV Energy’s asinine proposal to put new power transmission lines near the site of the planned fossil bed national monument:

At last [...]]]>

Mammoth Takes Stance on Harry Reid

The president of the (deep breath) North Las Vegas Alliance of Home Owners and Concerned Citizens, sent out the following statement about NV Energy’s asinine proposal to put new power transmission lines near the site of the planned fossil bed national monument:

At last evenings City Council Meeting, Mayor Buck commented that NVEnergy is trying to put an additional set of gigantic power poles between the current Northern boundaries of Las Vegas and North Las Vegas and the Sheep Range foot hills.

As many of you are aware the Alliance almost since inception a few years ago has been very active supporting POTS (Protectors of Tule Spring) and other groups trying to establish a National Park or National Monument in the area from the northern limits of Las Vegas and North Las Vegas to the mountains and stretching from the Piute Reservation up US 95 and ending around Pecos.  For several months now it has been waiting the President’s signature creating a National Monument for the area.

This could be a big tourist attraction.  Many of the folks from around the world fly into Las Vegas to go to the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion and then fly back out.  Why not provide them with an additional day or two here and exploring our National Monument. With the projected new UNLV campus to be at the eastern end of the site consider the many new opportunities for additional high school, College and University courses.

Off and on various groups such as developers, NVEnergy and others have wanted to utilize the land for their own purposes.  Some of our members have been on guided tours of the area which you have heard about over the last few years and have actually seen examples of the fossils and other artifacts that in many cases are not found anywhere else in the world.  It would be a shame to lose any of these items to satisfy a perceived corporate need.

It is our understanding that the Sun is going to print an article about the proposed monument and NVEnergy interest in putting the second set of poles through the area.

Please pick up a copy and make your wishes and comments known to the Sun.

The Sun article is available here, and the LV Review Journal had a note here. Power company lobbyists are filling up the comments sections of those articles, so one thing net-savvy Nor’Townies might do is throw up a comment over there.

Well, it looks a bit like the proposed fossil beds national monument to be located in the northern valley has run smack into election year politics–kinda like a kite caught in powerlines.

NV Energy has proposed cutting through the monument with another huge set of power transmission [...]]]>

Mammoth Taking a Stance on Harry Reid

Well, it looks a bit like the proposed fossil beds national monument to be located in the northern valley has run smack into election year politics–kinda like a kite caught in powerlines.

NV Energy has proposed cutting through the monument with another huge set of power transmission lines similar to those that already mark the northern boundary. (Sun,RJ) Presumably, the lines are necessary to support “green” power initiatives.

Probably the most important voice in all this will be that of Senator Harry Reid. Unfortunately, the power lines likely will have his support. They are part of his plan to hook up solar, wind, and geothermal plants throughout the state to the power grid via transmission lines between the Vegas Valley and Ely.

In fact, it seems that the energy plan is a cornerstone of Reid’s campaign pitch, which he claims will bring new jobs to the area. The plan, however, requires transmission lines. Here’s a quote from the Reid campaign site:

To deliver renewable energy from rural locations to consumers, Nevada must build new transmission lines.  Sen. Reid’s Clean Renewable Energy and Economic Development Act is groundbreaking legislation that will ensure that Nevada reaps the full benefits of renewable energy.  Building new transmission lines will also create jobs and encourage more companies to build renewable energy plants here in Nevada.  Sen. Reid’s commitment to this issue will benefit Nevada’s economy and consumers for years to come.

And you don’t have to surf the Internets very long to find Reid press releases trumpeting his approval of a recent decision by the Public Utilities Commission to support the new lines. (Lincoln County Record)

In the past, however, Reid seemed supportive of the national monument, too. Members of his staff attended a meeting on the monument several months ago and indicated that the Senator’s office was helping to move relevant legislation along.

Now it looks like a very close Senate election has changed all that. Mr. Reid is perhaps loathe to alienate power company magnates who provide campaign cash and whose support is required for large scale projects to build transmission lines.

Still, the campaign should probably keep the following in mind. The support for the monument in North Las Vegas and environs comes from what is perhaps the first true grassroots movement in the Northern Valley, a notoriously apathetic place. It is a citizens movement which brought together people from across the political spectrum and united local governments in an unprecedented fashion.

I would guess that it would be devastating to the Senator’s tenuous lead in his current race for that constituency to decide that his opponent, as flawed as she is, is a palatable alternative. A grassroots organization impassioned by this issue in the heart of blue Nevada throwing its support to Reid’s opposition would seem to be the death knell of his campaign.

Pretty stupid, too, since a phone call the Michael Yackira, C.E.O. on NV Energy from the Senate Majority Leader would probably put a stop to the idea pretty quick.

Ah, Mr. Yackira. One of my favorite people. He happily sat on Lame Duck Governor Jim Gibbons’ committee to cover-up global warming a few years back just so he could build coal-fired power plants. Those were the same plants that Harry Reid came out against a year or two later.

It would certainly be entertaining, too, to all of us in Nor’Town to see folks like Sharron Angle and Kenneth Wegner come out against powerlines and in favor of the fossils. Mainly because it would be something line being an eyewitness to Hell freezing over.

But, I suppose the most obvious question is: why not run the damn line through the Clark County Shooting Park? Heck, nobody goes up there anyway, and the County’s losing big money on it. Why not lease it out to NV Energy? Win-win all the way around!