Ambulances better not be late under new deal
It doesn't appear lights and sirens will be needed for this one.
American Medical Response is set to roll into a 10-year franchise renewal agreement to provide emergency ambulance services to Clark County. The Mercy Ambulance folks are on the agenda for the Tuesday meeting of the Clark County Commission.
The company has a longtime working relationship with the county. But the section of the franchise agreement outlining "Performance Enhancement Fees" might generate some intriguing questions. The fees would be assessed if the ambulance is late to a call. The proposal calls for penalties if the call "exceeds the response time requirements" and a credit if it "exceeds the minimum response time."
It appears every second will count, and be counted.
HICKEY MAKEOVER: Some guys will do almost anything to improve their images. This week reasonable Republican Assemblyman Pat Hickey announced he was resigning from the Legislature to accept an appointment by Gov. Brian Sandoval as the northern representative on the State Board of Education.
Nevada may have a much-maligned education system, but few public positions have proven more bruising to one's reputation than occupying a seat at the Legislature.
On his "Soup to Nuts" blog, Hickey briefly noted the change in business cards.
"I am truly honored to continue my public service by being appointed by Gov. Sandoval to the Board of Education for Northern Nevada," he wrote. "While I will no longer be an assemblyman, I plan to continue my efforts to champion innovative reforms that will help Nevada students be prepared for workforce and career opportunities in the 'New Nevada.' "
LIQUOR CO.: With more than 40 million visitors per year, Las Vegas is an enticing market for anyone dreaming of selling beer, wine and spirits. It's also highly competitive and riddled with politics and protectionism.
But that isn't stopping Joseph Reed of 1855 Distributors from applying for liquor, wine and beer distributor and importer licenses with Clark County. The license application is on the current Clark County Commission meeting agenda.
JOURNALIST RETIRING: Longtime Las Vegas journalist, editor and educator Mary Hausch has announced her June 3 retirement from her associate affiliate professor's post at UNLV's Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies.
A former education reporter and Review-Journal managing editor, Hausch has taught at UNLV since 1989. She is married to Las Vegas City Councilman Bob Coffin.
ON THE BOULEVARD: News reports aside, it's hard to believe casino mogul Steve Wynn is considering building a new casino in northern New Jersey. Then again, it might be a more predictable gambling locale than Macau, which this week saw the government announce the license revocations of 35 VIP room junket operators. ... Nevada Stupak, proud son of the late casino maverick Bob Stupak, is smiling after his plan to rename a street near the Stratosphere after his father moved one step closer to reality this week. It received city planning commission approval.
BOULEVARD II: Talk about a hit. The Las Vegas 51s have announced that $10 from every ticket sold through the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada website to the Big League Weekend 2016 games at Cashman Field between the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets will be donated to the kids' charity. The games are set for March 31 and April 1. More information: candlelightersnv.org or 702-737-1919. ... Longtime Las Vegas rabbi Mel Hecht has finished his remarkable memoir. His stories of Moe Dalitz alone will make it well worth the cover price. Speaking of books, former Review-Journal editorial writer Vin Suprynowicz has just published his latest political novel, "The Miskatonic Manuscript."
— Have an item for Bard of the Boulevard? Email comments and contributions to jsmith@reviewjournal.com or call 702-383-0295. On Twitter: @jlnevadasmith
