By Al Litman
It’s October, my favorite time of the month. The heat of summer is gone, and the city is springing back to life. Many of our snowbirds are
Mayor Al Litman
returning, and there are almost too many activities getting underway.
The Virgin Valley Artists Association held it’s 20th anniversary and it was a great success.
The expansion of the gallery is nearly complete, and will soon be a hive of activity. With three new modular buildings in place, the facility has more than doubled in capacity.
A new, state of the art ceramics studio, classrooms, an expanded store for artists to sell their art works, a framing studio, and an expanded storage area is just part of the new facility.
Our intention is to create our very own arts district that will include our Rock House and the former Hughes home so that they can be properly show cased. With the Heritage Park project, the new bank, our new fire hall being constructed, Mesquite is rapidly evolving
I recently attended an economic conference in Las Vegas. Most of the discussion was about the need of affordable housing as a key factor in growing our local economy.
We are making progress as ground has broken for a nice apartment complex near Mesa View Hospital, as well as several other smaller complex’s near city hall.
The Nevada Rural Housing Authority project will soon be complete next to the Veteran’s center and will provide housing that is affordable for nearly any working person.
A number of other housing projects for our workforce and young families are also getting ready to begin.
With rising interest rates and materials not coming down in price, I still think we are doing OK. I don’t advocate massive growth, but I do want us to provide for the steady sensible growth a community needs to prosper and provide the services that everyone needs. I believe we are heading in that direction, and doing it right.
Now for a completely different subject, pickle ball. Its the fastest growing sport in America, and it will get a real boost in Mesquite with the opening of new courts across from the Mesquite Recreation Center.
Tournaments are being planned and scheduled as I write this. We also will have youth pickle ball indoors at the recreation center starting Oct. 4 for ages 7-18.
Our youth basketball programs are starting up, and if you want your children to participate, please contact the center for details and enrollment.
I’m not trying to promote myself, but I do a weekly, Monday Morning With the Mayor to also provide you with the latest events and more that will be happening in our city. It’ on YouTube and our city website.
I encourage you to submit questions for me and the rest of our staff. You don’t have to identify who you are. So far I’ve received a number of really great questions, and if I can’t answer them, I will have a guest that can.
Al Litman is mayor of the City of Mesquite.
