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Commission Passes Progressive Eco-County Initiative
The Clark County Commission took a step in October toward reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by accepting a report with an expansive set of recommendations that focus on the following seven areas of conservation: air quality, water, water reduction and recycling, green building, energy use, transportation and land use/habitat protection.
The recommendations were detailed in a 50-page report produced by the Eco-County Initiative Committee, a working group created after the Commission passed the Eco-County Initiative on Dec. 4, 2007. The group was asked to study the environmental impact of county facilities, take inventory of current sustainability efforts and achieve the 2050 climate stabilization goal of reducing global warming emissions to 80 percent below current levels.
Among the proposals the county will implement short-term are:
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Convene Task Force/Work Group to Provide Assessment and Oversight of Implementation Efforts
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Use of Document Production Solutions - Digital Document -
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Distribute / Print
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Use of Default Duplex Printing
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Outreach to Local Government Entities
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Outreach to State and Federal Agencies
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Outreach to Public Sector
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Use of Clark County Monitoring
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The commission also agreed to further study the following long-term measures:
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Use of Telecommuting
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Promoting Sustainability through Incentives and Code Requirements
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Purchasing of Recycled Content Products
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Use of Rubberized Asphalt Concrete
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Use of Longer Life Pavements for Developer Projects
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Power Reduction in the Clark County Data Center
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Power Reduction from Information Technologies Equipment
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Land Fill Gas Programs
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Outreach to Private Sector
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Use of Warm Mix Asphalt Paving
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Reduction of GHG’s Produced by Facility Operations, Electrical
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Consumption and Vehicular Activity as a Result of Traditional Work Schedules
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Expanded Use of Gray Water and Reclaimed Water for Irrigation
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Purchasing Guidelines
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Use of Recycled Asphalt Concrete
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Use of Full Depth Recycled Pavements
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Implementation of Permanent Road Maintenance Plan
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Green Building
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Installation of Solar Panels on all Covered Parking
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Creating an Office of Sustainability
Help Needed in the Push for Federal Climate Policy
Recognizing the need to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability, 1Sky is asking Americans to join them in their effort to pass a meaningful federal climate policy by 2010.
The campaign goal is to:
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Change our energy priorities, steering away from fossil fuel sources of energy
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Promote sustainability and create 5 million new jobs attached to the business of clean energy.
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Push policies that will reduce global warming emissions at least 25 percent by 2010.
See 1Sky solutions, click here.
Take the 1Sky pledge, click here.
Record Number Seen at Homeless Connect Event
By 4 a.m. the line in front of the Cashman Center is one block long.
More than 3,300 people filed through the doors of the Homeless Connect event held at Cashman Field last month, the largest amount since the event began 17 years ago.
The amount of people seen for services marks a 23 percent increase from last year. Homeless residents were offered a wide array of services from immunizations and mammograms to housing and mental health. Kiosks were also set up for pets, dental work and eye exams.
Altogether 230 families were housed, 227 adults and children were immunized and 200 veterans were assisted along with other services.
Services at Cambridge Community Center in Large Demand
Cambridge Community Center volunteer programs continue to provide important services to the low-income families and those in need in the area.
In September, local food distributors donated over 5,400 bread items to the center, which served over 2,100 clients. Clothing the center received from citizens and community partners was donated to 205 families. The volunteers graciously donated 152.05 hours of their time to serve the community.
The food and clothing program, located at 3900 Cambridge, Suite 111, is open Monday through Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Your tax-deductible donation is welcome and accepted during business hours.
The Cambridge Community Center, renamed the Myrna Tormé Williams Campus, provides a multitude of services and activities for individuals and families. Non-profit organizations providing medical and educational services, computer training and arts & crafts and other programs for people of all ages are all housed at the center. County departments include Social Services, Public Response, Town and Liaison Services and the Gang Intervention Unit. The Myrna Tormé Williams Campus is open daily beginning at 7:30 a.m. and hours for services vary.
Grants Available for Neighborhood Projects
Clark County is accepting applications from community groups seeking grants to improve their neighborhoods through beautification, leadership training and community-building initiatives.
Grants of up to $3,000 are available through the county's Neighborhood Grant Program. The program is designed to help residents in urban and rural areas organize grass-root efforts to improve the social network and character of neighborhoods.
Applicants are urged to apply as soon as possible because the supply of funding is limited. Grant amounts, project types and application deadlines fall into four categories:
Community Impact Projects - Matching funds of up to $3,000 are available to 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organizations to implement larger-scale community improvement projects. Eligible initiatives may include neighborhood clean-up and landscaping projects, cultural awareness, prevention, health, safety, recreation and educational support. Applications are being accepted until Friday, Dec. 19 at 5 p.m.
Leadership/Training Grants - Funds up to $500 are available to enhance the organizational and leadership skills of resident groups to make positive changes in their neighborhoods. Eligible programs may include workshops on newsletter-writing or grant-writing, membership drives, leadership-training, neighborhood mediation, land-use, zoning, etc. Applications are being accepted now through Friday, May 1 at 5 p.m.
Small Project Grants - Funds up to $500 are available for low-cost projects and events designed to help residents get to know each other and make their neighborhoods better places to live. Eligible projects may include a small gardening project, back-to-school event, street cleaning, a neighborhood event, a neighborhood/block party or festival, parade, picnic, etc. Applications are being accepted now through Friday, May 1 at 5 p.m.
Neighborhood Pride Zone Project Grants - Clark County has added an additional category of neighborhood grants available only to established Clark County Neighborhood Pride Zones. Pride Zones were created to provide a formal way for communities to organize and interact with their neighbors and county government. Funds up to $2,000 are available to implement a larger-scale neighborhood beautification project, but will not be required to have a 501 (c) 3 or use a fiscal agent. Eligible projects may include clean-ups and landscaping projects, community infrastructure, cultural awareness, prevention, health, safety, recreation and educational support.
Applications for the Neighborhood Grant Program are available online at www.accessclarkcounty.com or at the Department of Administrative Services, located on the 6th floor of the Clark County Government Center, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway; Las Vegas, NV 89155. For more information about the program's eligibility and application requirements, contact neighborhood liaison Blanca Vazquez at 455-8531.
Meeting on the Arts in Nevada Set for Nov. 18
The Nevada Arts Council (NAC) will be hosting "Community Conversations," on November 18 at 6 p.m. The meeting is part of a program being held across Nevada this year to explore the state of the arts and to hear about the needs of our communities, artists, organizations and educators.
The process will provide valuable information from both the arts industry and the public that will help shape Values and Vision: A Cultural Plan for Nevada 2010 - 2015. A Values and Public Comment Survey will be available soon at www.nevadaculture.org.
Your input is extremely important. Please fill out the online survey and join us at your local Community Conversation to share your thoughts with your neighbors and colleagues, and members of the NAC board and staff.
The meeting will be held
Time: November 18, 6 - 8:30 p.m.
Historic Fifth Street School Gynasium
401 S. Fourth Street,
For a copy of the present Values and Vision Plan or if you have questions, please visit our website at www.nevadaculture.org or call (702) 486-3700.
As additional Community Conversations are scheduled, they will be posted on our website and publicized locally. Refreshments will be served.
Reasonable accommodations will be made for members of the public with disabilities who wish to attend the meeting. If special arrangements for the meeting are necessary, please notify Rennie J. Brode at the Nevada Arts Council, (775) 687-6680, no later than three working days prior to the meeting.
Learn How To Write Grants
Join grant-writing specialists Janice Welborn-Downing of Gunnison, CO and Kendall Hardin of Las Vegas at this fall's workshops held by the Nevada Arts Council.
Both speakers will focus on two crucial elements of preparing competitive and compelling grant applications: the written narrative and supplemental materials.
Both novice and experienced grant writers will take home valuable information, reducing anxiety about "getting it right" and building confidence in knowing that you can produce a strong grant application. With the increase in competition for NAC grant dollars and mandated budget cuts for the next biennium, it is strongly recommended that new applicants and current grantees attend a workshop. Arts Council staff will be on hand after the workshops to answer questions about the grant changes that the NAC will implement in FY10. To view these changes, visit www.nevadaculture.org.
This year's workshops are $10 per person, payable at the door. Professional Development Grants of up to $250 are available
for constituents who must travel more than 100 miles roundtrip to attend a workshop.
You are asked to register at least a week prior to the workshop. Walk-ins are welcome if there is space. R.S.V.P. by email to
wrussell@nevadaculture.org or phone (702) 486-3700.
NORTH LAS VEGAS
Wednesday, November 19
2 - 4:30 p.m.
North Las Vegas Library
2300 Civic Center Drive
LAS VEGAS
Tuesday, November 18
10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Flamingo Library
1401 E. Flamingo Road
LAS VEGAS
Wednesday, November 19
9:30 a.m. - Noon
West Las Vegas Art Center
947 West Lake Mead Blvd.
HENDERSON
Thursday, November 20
2 - 4:30 p.m.
Henderson Convention Center
200 Water Street, Henderson
Neighborhood Pride Zones A Hit With Residents
Read what citizens are saying about Neighborhood Pride Zones and Neighborhood Small Projects Grants!
Dear Tamara Community Liaison for District E,
The Neighborhood Pride Zone picnic and clean up was a wonderful success. All the fire hydrants are clean and noticeable. Lots of the graffiti is gone. Thanks to your endeavors, we had many volunteers, and I was surprised that people came and thanked us for the effort. Some were very much interested in the continuation of the project, which of course will be done. Kudos to you and Chris, I knew I voted for the right person for Commissioner, but she is lucky to have you and Jana on her side and so is our neighborhood.
It makes a difference to people when they have the right phone numbers and tools in which to take care of the problems in our neighborhood. You all have made that possible. You have given us the information we needed.
The neighborhood looks much better and we will continue our efforts to make sure it stays that way. We will continue taking pictures and reporting to the various agencies. This project has given people in this neighborhood some hope in cleaning it up. Some people were thinking of moving, now they are not. We are very thankful for the efforts of the County and the Constable and the Metropolitan Police Department and look forward to working closely with them in our continuing efforts to clean our neighborhood.
I wish words were enough, however, they are not. I wish I could do something for all of you. If there is something, please let me know. We are in your debt.
Thank you and sincerely,
Cathy B. Puckoris
Neighborhood Pride Zone Captain
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Tamara,
The Neighborhood Pride Zone Clean-up and Barbecue attracted a big crowd of Parkdale citizens and the Clark County departments were very informative about what they provided and how to get in contact with them.
The open communication with Clark County personnel leaves a more positive impression than posted notices of what is there for the people. The Pride Zone Project is definitely a concept that produced positive results and should be considered as a method to attack neighborhood chronic problems.
The leadership that Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani puts forth and the coordinated work that her staff has exhibited will surely continue to help our community and our city.
Thank you!
Ruben R. Perez
Applications Now Being Accepted for TABs and CACs
Each year, Clark County solicits applications from interested citizens to serve on Town and Advisory Boards (TAB) and Citizen Advisory Councils (CAC). TABs and CACs play a vital role in local governance by providing input on items of interest to the Board of County Commissioners.
Subsequent to the application process, TAB and CAC members are appointed by the County Commission. Applicants must be 18 years old and a registered voter with a primary residence within the TAB or CAC boundaries. Interested parties should call Clark County Administrative Services at (702) 455-3530 or click here to obtain an application. Applications may be submitted by mail or in person to the Department of Administrative Services, Clark County Government Center, 500 South Grand Central Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89106, or by fax at (702) 455-3558. Deadline for submittal is November 24, 2008.
Citizens located within an unincorporated TAB or CAC boundary that would like to serve on a board or council are eligible to apply. Should they have any questions regarding which TAB or CAC area they live within, please have them contact Chris Due at (702) 455-5527.
Simple Permits Available Online
On October 6, Development Services began offering licensed contractors the ability to apply for and receive water heater and water softener permits online with a credit card through the department’s Web site.
"The Simple Permits Program is part of Development Services' ongoing efforts to utilize technology and paperless solutions to more efficiently process permits and enhance customer service," said Ron Lynn, director of Development Services and the building official for Clark County.
Permits to install new water heaters and water softeners are among several residential construction projects that do not require the submittal of building plans. Eventually, the program will expand to include other no-plan permits as well.
Contractors must be licensed with the Nevada State Contractors Board and have a valid license number in order to set up a user account to begin requesting permits through the Internet. After completing an online permit application, contractors will receive an e-mail confirming payment, with the actual permit attached to the e-mail as a PDF.
There is no additional fee for using this online permitting system. The cost for an online water heater or water softener permit is $18.77, which is the same cost when applying in person at Development Services' Permit Application Center.
The department's Web site already provides a number of online services for the public, including searches for building-related records, inspection scheduling, status checks of pending permit applications, permits-issued reports by week, month and year, and the ability to calculate permit fees.
Protect Yourself From Burglary
Courtesy of Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
If you would like to learn more about protecting your home from unwanted intruders and increase your awareness of home security practices we encourage you to schedule an appointment with a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Crime Prevention Specialist.
They will come to your home and look at areas such as:
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Access
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Lighting
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Door / Window Locks
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Alarms
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Address Display
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Landscaping
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Home Contents/Valuables
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Other Areas Of Concern
We offer this service so that you may make a more informed decision when deciding how to protect your home and family.
To learn more, or schedule an appointment, please call the Crime Prevention Specialist assigned to your neighborhood at the numbers below:
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Bella Yourgules-Scholes (Northeast) 828-3340
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Pam Terry (South Central) 828-8272
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Ed Daley (Southeast) 828-2687
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Linda Darling (Downtown Area) 828-4306
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Leslie Harris (Convention Center) 828-6477
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Carol Ferranti (Enterprise) 828-5804
You can also call 3-1-1 and ask to be connected. This service is free and usually takes less than one hour.
We look forward to helping you Take A Bite Out Of Crime!
How to Recognize and Report Elder Abuse
Courtesy of the State of Nevada, Division for Aging Service
The State of Nevada provides protective services for persons 60 and older who may experience abuse, neglect, exploitation, or isolation.
Any person may report an incident of abuse if they have reasonable cause to believe that an elderly person has been abused, neglected, exploited, or isolated. All information received as a result of a report is maintained as confidential.
Mandatory reporters must make the report immediately after the event, but no later than 24 hours after there is reason to believe that an elderly person has been abused, neglected, exploited, or isolated. Mandatory reporters include:
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Medical professionals
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Employees of hospitals and home health agencies
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Social workers
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Coroners
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Law enforcement employees
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Adult or juvenile probation officers
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Department of Health and Human Services' employees
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Clergy
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Attorneys
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Mortuary or funeral home employees
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Employees of the facilities providing care for older persons
Reports must be made to the local office of the Division for Aging Services during normal business hours, any police department or sheriff's office or Clark County Protective Services.
If an older person is in immediate danger, the local police, sheriff's office or emergency medical service should be contacted.
If the older person is not in immediate danger, the report should be made to one of the designated offices. After normal business hours, the reporter should contact local law enforcement, or the Crisis Call Center at 1-800-992-5757.
McCarran Sees Decline in Airport Traffic
Despite its No. 6 ranking in 2007 of the busiest airport in the U.S., McCarran International Airport saw the number of people visiting its airport decline this year.
According to September passenger traffic reports, visits to McCarran dropped 13 percent from the same time last year. The biggest drop came from passengers departing and arriving from U.S. Airways between September 2007 and 2008.
For a closer look at those numbers, click here.
Republic Services Ups Hazardous Waste Amount Residents Can Toss
An agreement that limited the amount of hazardous waste that can be dropped off at Republic Services has been changed at the urging of Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani.
As of October 13, individuals wishing to get rid of their paint and household hazardous waste materials can now drop off 15 gallons of paint or 40 pounds of hazardous waste. Materials can be dropped off on a bi-weekly basis. For more information, click here.
Planning Commissioner Honors Memory of Parents
Vivian Kilarski, planning commissioner for District E, gathered with members of her family and the Friends of Winchester group to accept the dedication of two trees and a plaque from the Commissioner in the memory of her deceased parents, Wally and Gloria Canales.
Vivian commented, "The trees in the garden are wonderful and will always be a source of comfort."
A special thank you to Danny, Andrew, Martin, Clyde and Russ Thompson of Parks and Recreation for their involvement in facilitating this memorial tree dedication in the gardens at the Winchester Cultural Center.
Looking for something to do? Click here for a list of events going on in Clark County parks this week.
District E Map
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