Henderson science center board accepts city’s $21 million gift

By Jeremy Twitchell

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 | 10:12 a.m.

Henderson’s $21 million gift to jumpstart fundraising efforts for a space and science center will soon be in the hands of the advisory board appointed to oversee the effort.

The board, which includes former Mayor James B. Gibson and former Councilman Jack Clark, approved the gift agreement Tuesday night at its second meeting, clearing the way for the city to transfer the money from its land fund as soon as July 1.

The Henderson City Council approved the agreement on a 3-2 vote June 9 -- Gibson's and Clark's final meeting -- after a long debate over the wisdom of transferring the funds, which councilmen Andy Hafen and Steve Kirk ultimately voted against.

The advisory board expects to file for nonprofit status later in the week, project consultant Ray Shubinski said, and once it has attained it, will be able to begin spending the money.

There's a catch, however. The group's budget must first be approved by the Henderson City Council, which now has two members -- Hafen, now mayor, and Kirk -- who voted against transferring the money. Newly elected Councilwoman Kathleen Boutin, also has questioned the transfer.

Clark, who has been the most outspoken supporter of the museum, said he appreciated the Council's discussion.

"That's an important part of this process," he said. "It will make the science center even better, because it forces us to raise the bar even higher."

A draft budget for the first year is expected at the advisory board's July 28 meeting.

The budget is likely to face close scrutiny from Council members, but Clark said he's confident it will pass the test.

"I think what we'll see are budget items that are absolutely necessary," he said. "We, more than anyone, don't want to waste a penny. We have $21 million of $61 million that we need so we don't want a penny to go to waste. We're going to have to be very frugal."

Clark said the board's membership was designed to bring in professionals from multiple disciplines in order to minimize its need for outside consultants and to funnel more money directly to the center.

One board member attending for the first time was Beth Williams, owner of a firm that provides NASA's linguistic and translation services and the widow of a former astronaut.

Williams, who lives in Houston, is on the board of directors for the Las Vegas-based American Pacific Corporation, where she heard about the proposed science center.

"When I heard about this, on my own, I volunteered," she said. "I really believe in the concept of teaching space early, so I just volunteered. I just want to be a part of this. I'm so excited."

Williams paid for her own travel from Houston, something she said she will continue to do for future board meetings after seeing what the project is all about.

"I'm excited about it," she said. "These people are serious. They seem to care deeply about education, science and children."

Williams said she hopes to help the effort by using her ties with NASA to solicit loaned items to put on display. Between the astronauts she knows personally and the outreach programs that NASA runs, she said she should be able to help round up some interesting items.

"I want things that will fascinate children," she said. "Whatever we can find."