Citizens listen to Mayor Holecheck, left and Councilwoman Donna Fairchild as they discuss upcoming events at the Citizens Coffee held Friday at City Hall.
Mayor Says No To Using Fire Dept. Savings For Crossing Guards
A full house greeted the mayor at the quarterly Citizens Coffee held at City Hall on Friday, July 30.
At the opening of the meeting and to head off the hot button issue of the layoff of crossing guards, the mayor had Chief of Police Doug Law address that issue.
Chief Law explained the police department tried everything to avoid layoffs of fulltime employees and despite painful cutbacks and concessions made by the police association, the crossing guards had to be cut.
“However, we will make sure someone is always there for the kids,” said Chief Law.“If I need to be out there and put my wife on a corner, we will protect the kids going to and from school.”
The Chief also said patrol cars will be at school crossings morning and afternoon to insure safety and to aggressively write citations for violation of school zones.
“We will not compromise the safety of our children,” he said.
Mayor Holecheck explained that any savings from the fire department personnel retirements could not be used for crossing guards because different budgets could not be commingled.banner
“These are legitimate concerns and I am glad they were brought to our attention,” she said.
The mayor and chief also spoke about the problem of calling 911 to report an emergency from a cell phone and that emergency call being routed to Las Vegas.
“Program into your cell phone the number 346-6911 and that will go directly to Mesquite police dispatch,” said Chief Law.
Kurt Sawyer, city capital projects director spoke of the reconfiguring of the northbound exit 120 that will take about a month and will ease many of the problems with that exit.
The town wash project will be putting a new culvert under Old Mill Road and Sawyer asked the public to be patient with these road projects.
The mayor spoke on the Toquop Energy project, which should be gearing up next year to build the $1.4 billion solar facility and could bring as many as 900 new jobs to the Mesquite area.
There will be several workshops about the project as it gets closer to beginning.
Tom Johns of Sithe Global will speak about the Toquop Energy Project on Sept. 8 at the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce.
A question from the audience about the status of the Desert Falls Sports project was referred to Bryan Dangerfield, Economic Development Director.
“The project directors have selected an architect during the first week of July and are proceeding with the design phase,” he said.“I have seen the final plans and they are ready to go.The first phase of the project will be completed by November, 2011.”
Mayor Holecheck added that the project directors must appear before the city council in early September to give a full report of the projects status.
A citizen brought up the subject of the problems of the food bank which needs more donations to help those suffering from the current economic situation.
The Mesa View Hospital and the Desert Valley Times will be holding a food drive to help replenish the food bank.
The mayor spoke of several popular upcoming events like the Long Drivers of America 2010 Desert Duel, Mesquite Pow Wow, Oktoberfest, the Remax World Long Drive Championship and the very popular annual car show complete with burnouts and possibly a new feature this year, street drag racing.
The meeting ended on an upbeat note with the mayor telling the audience “in spite of the tough economic conditions, we are moving ahead and planning great things for Mesquite.”
Commentary
Posted Date: 07/31/2010 Do PARENTS bear any responsibility for ensuring that their little angels make it safely back and forth from school???? Perhaps parents should even teach their kids not to cross in front of traffic??Providing Crossing Guards SHOULD NOT be a City Responsibility. By: Gary C
Posted Date: 07/31/2010 We need this type of attendance at ALL of the City Council meetings. Maybe the Mayor and council would get the message to shape up if they saw more attendance. If no one shows up, they think no one cares and they get away with murder. If the meeting time is an issue, go and complain. Complain about the television airing of the meetings. Bottom line is attendance sends a message. I go to the council meetings in my town and when I become a permanent Mesquite resident, you bet I'll be there. Bottom line: If you care, be there! By: Kit
Posted Date: 07/31/2010 IT IS AMAZING HOW SHE HANDED OFF ALL THE QUESTIONS TO OTHER PEOPLE AND CONTROLLED THE MEETING.
WHAT SENSE DOES IT MAKE TO TIE UP FULL TIME POLICE TO DO THE CROSSING GUARD JOB?
THAT IS WHY THEY WENT TO GUARDS IN THE FIRST PLACE.
WAS THE LDS LIBRARY LOT MENTIONED?WAS HACKERS CAR ALLOWANCE MENTIONED?
CAN NOT WAIT TILL THE ELECTIONS-GOODBYE QUEEN! By: JOEY
Posted Date: 07/31/2010 I suppose that the Chief of Police, his wife and potrol cars don't cost the city money. If they have time to patrol school crossings, then lay off one of his men and reinstate the crossing guards. One officer makes quite a bit more than 10 guards. Well what do I know. Toquop Project is and could be wonderful for Mesquite. The main reason is that the queen and her LDS buddies will be gone by the time the project gets into construction phase. However she could mess things up prior to that. Touquop will potentially bring many, many new construction and permanent people to Mesquite. We need to be prepared to welcome them and provide for their needs. A few secondary casinos and not much else is not what these people will be looking for. Mess this up and they will go to Glendale or St George. We have nothing to offer nor does anyone here understand what needs to be done. Retired people don't to be bothered.
I am also glad the queen wants the best for Mesquite. I really don't think she has had that feeling for to long. Perhaps since she realized if a recall was in true order Mesquite would get rid of her and her two council handlers right now instead of waiting until the next election.
I am sad that I had to be out of town and could not attend this funfest. By: steelgiant10
Posted Date: 07/31/2010 Well Mrs. Mayor, you just wrote your retirement for the next general election! Take yourself off the ballot honey because YOU ARE DONE! You've got to be kidding? You can't use money savings from the Fire Dept to offset the tiny amount of money the Crossing Guards are paid? Don't expect the public to believe you can't do that. There is a way to do it. The money comes out of the same pot of money. Quit lying to the public just to keep them quiet! Ok, you want to play that game then how about this GRAND IDEA once again, YOU AND THE REST OF YOUR ADMINISTRATORS GIVE UP YOUR CAR ALLOWANCE OF BETWEEN $500 and $700 a month to FUND the Crossing Guards???? How about that one Mrs. Mayor? If you have any guts at all or any care for the citizens of Mesquite, you will be the first one to stand up and offer YOUR car allowance for the Crossing Guards. Now, put your MONEY where your revolving mouth is!!!! Why don't you and TIMMY both offer your CAR ALLOWANCE to start off with? You people burn me up! You expect everything from your employees and the citizens, but when it comes time for you to ante up, it's a BIG FAT ZERO!!!! Come on PARENTS, join me at the next Council Meeting and let's take it by storm! Let's force the issue! Let's see how they react when 40 people stand up for public comment and all of us ask for a couple crossing guards. You don't need 4, hire 2 and call it done. Why are all of you being so economically stupid? Use your head or are you all such poor politicians except one person sitting there who recognizes what the people want? You really need to bow out of the election Mrs. Mayor because you are HISTORY! You're Done HONEY! By: Mom who is MAD
Posted Date: 07/31/2010 Folks, this woman is smart. She knows what people will complain about (thanks to the MLN) and she brings in others to take the heat. That way if you don't like it, you can blame them, not her. About Desert Falls, she says Dangerfield knows all about that. He will be the idiot for that failure. Not a single Tea Party or other political group said a word. Thank goodness we have Donna Fairchild who will tell it like it is. Notice library Randy and Bennett were nowhere to be seen? By: Victor M
Posted Date: 07/31/2010 Maybe parents could be there for the kids? There is a novel idea.
There are so many mothers & fathers who don't work why can't you all take turns looking after the little darlings? Why does the government have to help with every aspect of your children's lives?
This is why our government is too fat and powerful right now because we have handed off all of our responsibilities. As a free people in charge of our own situations we have given away our freedoms to the government because we are too lazy to own our responsibilities. So those parents waiting for the government to babysit YOUR kids don't bitch when the government steps in and tells you how to raise your kids like it or not you give them all they need to dictate to you on every level. By: snoopy
Posted Date: 07/31/2010 Actually there are a lot of hard working parents who can't be there when their kids get out of school. The crossing guards were a very small amount to pay to ensure kids and drivers safety as kids made their way home. Mesquite has invested a lot of money in senior activities and the senior center and the younger group deserve the same. By: Pat
Posted Date: 07/31/2010 There has been much talk about the City of Mesquite Administration's vehicle allowance. The employment contracts state the amount of vehicle allowance each will receive per month and the documents are searchable on the City webpage.
Building & Capital Projects Director $400; City Attorney $400; City Clerk – pool (shared) vehicle; City Manager $550; Deputy City Attorney $400; Deputy Fire Chief – City provided vehicle; Economic Development & Public Affairs Director $400; Finance Director $350; Fire Chief – City provided vehicle; I.T. Director – pool (shared) vehicle; Personnel Director $400; Planning & Redevelopment Manager $350; Police Chief - City provided vehicle; Public Works Director – City provided vehicle; Recreation & Parks Director - $400; Mayor & City Council $400. In addition to the monthly vehicle allowance they also receive mileage reimbursement if the travel is for City business outside a 50 mile radius from the City of Mesquite. All I can say is I am counting down the days until the next City Election. By: -
Posted Date: 08/01/2010 Snoopy,
P.S. - I pay dearly everytime I purchase something, buy license plates, a drivers license or whatever other $$ collected by the City, State, and USA. I really can't be at work by 8 and my husband by 6 and cross my kids. I don't disagree with you in principle, but I can't be there and we've grown acustom to the guards. I'm not asking them to raise my children, just give them a little assistance when crossing the busy street - is that really too much to ask? I think we could cut elsewhere in the City to make the budget balanced, don't you? I'm trying to do everything I can by the way to be a productive citizen. I guess I could quit, go on welfare, food stamps, WIC, and every other government program available if you'd like? By: Mom who is Mad
Posted Date: 08/01/2010 Dear Snoopy, On my way to work, I see many, many, many Moms walking their kids to schools and back home again. The problem is the inattentive driver that will run over all of them. The real issue is the city has the money, they just don't want to spend it on kids. By: Worker
Posted Date: 08/01/2010 Now I am really mad. I cannot believe, let me repeat that, I cannot believe Mayor Holecheck tells the public right to their face that the city cut everything they could and look at these car allowance in this small town. It is unbelievable those positions would require a car allowance. City Attorney? Deputy City Attorney? Finance Director? Personnel Director? Come on folks, this is what is wrong with government. We need these perks stopped. Where is the Tea Party? We need help in this city -we are being lied to. Workman, here's a challenge. List every department head pay and perks. It is time-we the people- start cutting the budget. Car allowances, what a bunch of #@!*&%. By: Now I'm Mad
Posted Date: 08/01/2010 This is all whitewash. This is exactly why the chief of police refuses to issue an annual report on the police department to show how many arrests, how many calls, how the budget was spent, etc. The police have a very sweet deal with very little work, take home cars (didn't cut that, did they), not many calls and everything kept secret from the tax payer. Every other police department in this country gives an annual report to the people in booklet form of what the did with the taxpayers money. By: Cop watch
Posted Date: 08/01/2010 Wow! Wow! I never knew! These people all get a car allowance IN THIS SMALL TOWN! Give me a break. Most of them never have to drive anywhere in town and if they do, their $100,000 a year should be enough to cover it. Correct me if I'm wrong but add up all the car allowances and that should surely pay for a couple crossing guards who get nothing for benefits. Oh wait-the Mayor will say it is in one of the secret employee confidential employee contracts and can be taken away from them. Well too bad Mayor CUT THE CAR ALLOWANCES NOW. By: Amazed
Posted Date: 08/01/2010 Wow, there are a lot of people typing with clenched fists! Nonetheless, I pulled out the 09-10 budget the city provides which ended June 2010 (the new one isn't yet available) and the mayor is correct in her assertion that "different budgets cannot be commingled". However, it is the General Fund from which all the salaries, benefits, etc are paid in the City and savings within this Fund can be used to fund the crossing guards. That is my interpretation and if there's some restriction that does not allow it, a simple vote can change that requirement. These are not significant $. In support of the Mayor's point re: commingling, when Revenue is generated and targeted for a specific purpose, such as debt repayment, those funds cannot be "commingled". I'm not a gov't accountant, but I also see there are significant "transfers" between funds that were budgeted. Not suggesting that's an issue, only noting there are ways to transfer money. My point is there are several options: use the General Fund, or explore inter-Fund transfers. Simple as that. By: zee
Posted Date: 08/01/2010 STEELGIANT10..... Why is it always about religion "the queen and her LDS buddies" What does that have anything to dop with the issues.. If you dont like the fact that this is a majority LDS town then move.... By: Why always with religion
Posted Date: 08/01/2010 This proves a long history of deception by the mayor and council while saying they are making deep budget cuts, they are actually giving themselves generous bonuses. Disgusting, absolutely disgusting. Mayor what will you do about it? By: Caleb H
Posted Date: 08/01/2010 Why have these car allowances? Shouldn't these officials be staying here in Mesquite trying to get it fianancially stable without running all around on the city's dime that could be spent elsewhere? By: Pat
Posted Date: 08/01/2010 Idea, cut out take home police cars-every cop doesn't need a free ride to work, eliminate car allowances, delay hiring a fire chief and let one of the captains run the place, stop all the frivilous toys in the new police building and stop all unnecessary spending. When things get better review all those things. By: Just vote no
Posted Date: 08/01/2010 Why is it always about Religionhas it right, it is used as a excuse for what ever while infact Holicheck is not a member of the LDS, and it one was to go back and see when so many of these problems started it was when others than members of the LDS started getting 5into positions of control, yes Randy is a member of the LDS as best as I can tell but that is not the issue. Look at the ones from Ca and Co and then look at the condions in those states which is where Mesquite is heading, that.s the problem, not religion.
By: Richard
Posted Date: 08/02/2010 I don't think religion has anything to do with it and it is unfortunate that several prominent members of the LDS have corrupted the system to their own advantage but the problem is city government, not religion. Mayor Holecheck could stop alot of this wasteful spending if she wanted to. She doesn't. She sneaks through poor choices in the consent agenda so she doesn't have to explain these expenditures to the tax payer. A leader would fix these budget problems, she is just not a leader. By: Larry
Posted Date: 08/01/2010 To: Max. Assuming your assertions regarding the 2 $30K deals are correct (which are strong assertions), then there are only 2 perspectives. 1- The City Charter (or whatever the governing document) currently grants City officials to approve disbursements in this manner or 2- the Mayor has done something outside her authority. I simply don't know where to get that kind of information, if indeed your assertions are true. I really like the openness of this forum and would like to know how to delve deeper, and objectively, into these issues as they are at the core of City governance. In the corporate world, there is an Audit Committee as a sub-committee of a Board of Directors that looks at these types of issues and interacts with the external auditors in reviewing corporate governance. Does one exist here? If not, that is the most objective way to proceed to flush out the details. Then we all have a basis from which to recommend change. One step at a time. My 2 cents. By: zee
Posted Date: 08/01/2010 The reality is, every government has it's hidden agenda that cost their city dearly. You can continue to be angry and point fingers, but it will do you no good. Being a seasonal resident, I know in my hometown the Police force "higher ups" gave up take home vehicles and all employees declined pay raises to save co-workers jobs. It wasn't the mayor who made that decision it was the employees. Our mayor is just as corrupt as Mesquite's mayor. The citizens of Mesquite will get their chance to change what is going on by voting out those individuals whom they feel are corrupting the community and it's future. Let's change Mesquite, vote and research the candidates. By: Stacy
Posted Date: 08/01/2010 Pay me those car allowances and I'll buy a brand new car and tdrive these people anywhere they want to go everyday and still make a ton of money. People in Mesquite are stupid. Where do they drive too- lunch, home, shopping,home, linch, home, a meeting every know and then, lunch, home. P.S. half the time they are driving a city vehicle. By: Jimmy
Posted Date: 08/01/2010 Richard, when you start speaking out against sneaky rotten deals like LDS Bishop Library Randy Ence did with LDS President Theron Jensen and LDS Cecil Leavitt ripping off rate payers at the water district, you can justifiably complain. There are plenty of people who complain about the mayor and council but LDS pretends none of their flock ever do anything wrong. Christ teaches honesty so face it when your guys are wrong too. By: Betty
Posted Date: 08/01/2010 Salaries for all City of Mesquite employees are listed on the website http://transparentnevada.com/salaries/mesquite/ By: -
Posted Date: 08/01/2010 Hey Cop Watch,
Way to go Einstein! The police do issue a yearly report every year to City Council and the citizens. What are you talking about the Chief refuses? You really need to educate yourself before opening your mouth and looking stupid! Check with the Council Clerk, I think you'll find the 2008-2009 report in her files. Boy, you're real swift! As for police and take home cars, have a real emergency and when all the police are at the scene what should the others respond in - a mini cooper??? That would do a lot of good! You know a lot about police work I can see that! You'd do better keeping your opinions to yourself! By: One Eye Jack
Posted Date: 08/01/2010 It seems to me that the pointing of fingers is always at trying to figure out which religion is to blame. Regardless the loan given to an LDS business it was a granted loan. Who says that it had anything to do with religion. Possibly could it be that a proper exceptional business plan was presented and impressed the city officials. I can not stand when non members of any religion try to blame religion for things that happen!!!! Try looking to the people rather than the religion... By: why always with religion
Posted Date: 08/01/2010 48K + for veh allowance to these City Employees is an excess that needs to be removed from contracts/benefits packages NOW...get this on the agenda ASAP By: Interested
Posted Date: 08/02/2010 I agree the police don't need take home cars. That could have been cut from the budget, it is very very expensive. I have lived here for 17 years and there has never been a "real" emergency that off duty cops couldn't have gotten to the police station from home in 5 minutes to help out with. Cut out the take home cars Mayor Holecheck. By: Alice
Posted Date: 08/02/2010 Not only does the City Council, Manager and Attorney get car allowances, they ALSO get paid for their mileage when the drive to Las Vegas. Someone find out how much they've spent on that! By: -
Posted Date: 08/02/2010 To show what a horrible leader the mayor is -all we ever wanted were crossing guards for the kiddies and look at all this conflict the mayor created by not being honest with the taxpayer and protecting the chosen few with irresponsible financial spending. By: Mommy 1
Posted Date: 08/02/2010 Where is the Tea Party? By: Paul
Posted Date: 08/02/2010 Come on Susan, the people are speaking. Cut the perks out of the budget and respect the people. By: Kathy
Posted Date: 08/03/2010 The police officers take their cars home??? I could see the chief having that privlige but not officers. If that's happening, who's patroling the streets and running the station at night?
By the by... Steelgiant10 said in his comment above, that "retired people don't want to be bothered". Ok ya'all that should get your dander up! HOW DARE HE SAY THAT! We may not have the chains of a 9-5 job, but we do have more time to get involved in other things, so you may well come to eat your words. By: ????
Posted Date: 08/06/2010 I, too, think that Crossing Guards are necessary in this town. But if the City is going to be tight with their money, why hasn't anyone asked Clark County School District to help cover the funds? Ya, I know the District is not in the best financial state right now, but doesn't other school district's around the country help pay for crossing guards? By: Oh wow...
Posted Date: 08/07/2010 REFRESH MY MEMORY, PLEASE? Isn't this the SAME MAYHOR of MESQUITE WHO ONCE WANTED TO BAN SCHOOL KIDS FROM USING THE CITY PARKS, SINCE THEY WOULD "mess up the grass"? *** PERHAPS, H.R.H. would be even happier ELSE WHERE - maybe even Carson City - awaiting in the wings for 'an eventual arrival' of a newly elected Governor in the Silver State of NV = Hizzoner from Las Vegas, eh? By: GUM
Posted Date: 08/09/2010 All those comments that religion is always the culprit in Mesquite are missing the point completely. It is not religion, but domination by those members of the LDS Church that is a bother. Look at the dominant family influences in Mesquite. Why are there so many Utah residents interfearing with Mesquite politics? It is NOT religion as such, but the unnecessary influences of those associated with a particular religion. The policies in Mesquite must be left to ALL the citizens of Mesquite and not just those who exert a dollar influence. Look carefully at how and why things are done in Mesquite politics. The citizens of Mesquite are now mad enough to really pay attention to how our elected officials are spending our money. It is just as though it was theirs to waste as they will. Does Bell, CA bring anything to mind? There is tremendous waste in Mesquite govt. because until now they were not held accountable. Our pseudo mayor is at the top of the list. Cuts MUST be at all levels and not just those that cover up the real waste. By: steelgiant10
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