Recall petitioners have enough signers, they say

By Mike Trask

Sunday, June 1, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Petitioners in Boulder City have until Tuesday to file paperwork calling for the recall of City Council members Travis Chandler and Linda Strickland.

Christine Milburn, a leader of the recall effort, said “more than enough” signatures have been gathered since March to force a special election. Milburn, however, would not provide a specific figure.

Recall petitioners must collect 1,085 signatures to place Strickland’s recall on the ballot and 1,268 for Chandler’s. The numbers are different because Strickland was elected in last year’s primary election, but Chandler was elected in the fall’s general election, which had a higher turnout.

A recent interpretation of election law by Secretary of State Ross Miller made the signature gathering more challenging. In his opinion, Ross said only individuals who voted in last year’s election may sign the recall petitions.

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The long process toward clearing Boulder City’s streets of parked boats and recreational vehicles is entering a new phase.

Police Chief Thomas Finn announced that starting today, the men in blue will be ticketing illegally parked large vehicles.

At three contentious meetings to discuss establishing rules for street parking, several residents said the vehicles are eyesores that pose safety hazards for pedestrians and drivers. Others asserted their rights to park on public streets.

After the meetings — and more talk at City Council meetings — the city decided it didn’t need any new laws, but needed only to enforce existing parking laws. City code allows registered vehicles to be parked indefinitely in front of their owners’ homes. But they cannot be parked elsewhere in the city for more than a day.

Until now police haven’t enforced that rule, instead issuing only warnings for the past few months to “educate” the public.

Starting today, official grading begins.

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North Las Vegas residents have been passionate lately about apartments planned for the Eldorado neighborhood, packing City Council meetings and vowing to get more involved in the community.

Yet only one resident — a regular attendee — showed up this week to see the council vote 3-2 to adopt an $841 million budget for the coming fiscal year.

“The only real resident I see out there is Bob,” said Mayor Mike Montandon, noting the presence of Bob Borgersen, the city’s most outspoken resident.

Tuesday’s meeting followed a lengthy one the previous week that ended in a 2-2 vote, with Councilwoman Shari Buck absent. At last week’s meeting, Buck cast the deciding vote in favor of the budget.

Councilmen Robert Elliason and William Robinson voted against it, objecting to the addition of about 30 new nonpublic-safety jobs. The new positions include staff spots at Alexander Library and Park, scheduled to open in 2009.

City Manager Gregory Rose said staff, including those in public safety departments, requested 212 additional positions, only 70 of which were approved.

Montandon, Buck and Councilwoman Stephanie Smith voted to pass the budget.

The proposed operating budget of about $480 million is a 5 percent increase over the current fiscal year’s $456.5 million budget. The nation’s fastest-growing city also will increase its capital improvement budget from about $250 million to $361 million.

Although the budget increase will not require a tax hike, Borgersen still had concerns. He questioned the transfer of $41 million from the water and sewer fund into the general fund, given that the city recently raised utility rates.

Council members said it is standard practice to use money from utilities to augment the city’s finances.