April 23, 2007

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman Wins Re-Election in Huge Landslide (From City Hall Press Release)

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman proved, once again, he has the full trust and support of Las Vegas voters, with a resounding victory in the April 3 Primary Election against a packed field of opponents.

“I love the residents of this city, and I couldn’t be any happier that they have seen fit to allow me one more term to serve them,” Goodman said. “I won’t let them down, and we will continue to revitalize this great city.”

Goodman won with 84 percent of the vote, besting nine other contenders. He received 28,845 total votes compared to 2,170 for his closest opponent. Because he received more than 50 percent of the vote, the mayor will not have to face an opponent in the June General Election. This will be Goodman’s third and final term in office due to Nevada’s term limit law.

Goodman said he’s proud of what he and the rest of the council have accomplished in the past eight years, and he plans to continue working on bringing new projects to downtown Las Vegas.

“During my tenure, we’ve really changed the face of downtown Las Vegas,” he said. “With the World Market Center, we became the epicenter of the furniture world, and the Ruvo Brain Institute will put us at the forefront of medical research. We’re bringing residents back to downtown, which will lead to new businesses and industry. I can’t wait for the next four years.”

Recently, Laredo Mayor Raul Salinas was joined by staff members of the Laredo Community Development Department, including Arturo Garcia, Programs Coordinator; Ronnie Acosta, Director; as well, as Horacio De Leon, Asst. City Manager; Cynthia Collazo, Deputy City Manager, and countless employees from the department to celebrate the amazing job that the department does for Laredo. While Salinas read the proclamation presented below, he also highlighted the work done by the Community Development Department employees who are working to improve the city at every level.

WHEREAS, the city of Laredo is recognized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as an entitlement community and as such receives annual funding that serves to strengthen our City’s livability and promote equitable opportunities for the individual; and

WHEREAS, since 1975, the city of Laredo has received Community Development Block Grant Funds totaling over $109.7 million dollars to fund activities which benefit low and moderate income persons, such that these funds have been utilized to finance infrastructure improvements including street paving of over 1420 city blocks, pedestrian bridges, water, sewer and drainage improvements, acquisition and relocation, street lighting, and construction of approximately 960 city blocks of sidewalks; and

WHEREAS, Community Development Block Grant Funds have been used to promote the quality of life of community residents as exemplified by the rehabilitation of over 752 homes, the construction and enhancement of approximately 70 recreational parks and facilities, construction of police substations, code enforcement activities and graffiti removal, demolition of substandard units, and provision of public services; and

WHEREAS, the city of Laredo has received HOME Investment Partnership Program funds of over $18.6 million dollars to implement housing initiatives including construction of single and multi-family homes, down payment and tenant-based rental assistance, and substantial rehabilitation; and

WHEREAS, the city of Laredo has received over $2.05 million dollars in Emergency Shelter Grant Program funds that directly benefit our community’s homeless population by providing for the rehabilitation and operation of homeless shelters, and other homeless prevention activities; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RAUL G. SALINAS, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the city of Laredo, county of Webb, state of Texas, do hereby proclaim the week of April 9th - 15th, 2007, as NATIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WEEK IN LAREDO, TEXAS.