Feeling left out, organized labor seeks congressional help
First, some good news: Two local federal construction projects worth $150 million are breaking ground.
The bad news, at least for local organized labor, is the wages being offered for the FAA control tower and Army Reserve Training Center jobs essentially price union contractors out of the bidding.
Representatives of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 525, Teamsters Local 631, Ironworkers Local 433 and Roofers Local 162 continue to protest the wage and benefit issue with the Department of Labor and are soliciting the help of Nevada's congressional delegation.
Plumbers official Greg Esposito says the wage structure is 50 percent below the union standard and excludes health benefits.
As an unabashed Nevada-firster, I wonder whether work on those projects will go to out-of-state contractors at a time local construction unemployment is higher than 50 percent.
This issue is made-to-order for Rep. Dina Titus, who is in a tough race against Republican Joe Heck in District 3 and can use union support.
BLASBERG SUICIDE: Although the May 9 death of professional golfer Erica Blasberg has been ruled a suicide, her bereaved family isn't remaining silent on her connection to physician Thomas Hess. Her family hired Terry Coffing of Marquis and Auerbach to explore legal avenues.
"The family wants some answers," Coffing says. "Right now, we have more questions than answers."
GOAL SCORED: The return of UNLV's soccer team from the brink is one of my favorite sports stories of the year. With budget cutbacks at the university, the program appeared on its way out.
Then a dedicated group of soccer enthusiasts and former Rebels players got together and did something about it. UNLV again has a promising program under head coach and former Rebel Rich Ryerson. They open their season Sept. 4 at home in the Nike Invitational.
COMMUNITY CENTER: Congresswoman Shelley Berkley will help dedicate the new Jewish Community Center of Southern Nevada in Summerlin Sunday morning. It's at 9001 Hillpointe Road.
The loquacious Berkley will be accompanied by Rabbis Felipe Goodman and Malcolm Cohen. This being an election year, it might take more than two rabbis to keep Berkley's speech brief.
BLUM BOOK: If you've been to a Las Vegas 51s game, you've surely seen Bob Blum. His title is "special assistant to the general manager," but he really is a jack-of-all-trades. He also is one of the nicest men I've ever known.
Blum is marking his 70th year in broadcasting -- he pinch-hits in the booth for the 51s these days -- with the publication of an entertaining memoir called "Started Talking at 11 Months Still Talking." A book signing is scheduled for 6 p.m. at today's 51s game at Cashman Field.
Blum, who turns 90 on Oct. 1, has befriended sports hall-of-famers ranging from John Wooden to Al Davis.
ON THE BOULEVARD: Allan Kelly, Las Vegas native and one of the last of the independent bar owners, celebrates his 50th year in the business Friday at Kelly's Kasino II at 5855 W. Craig Road No. 108. Singer/impressionist Greg London brings a stageful of voices to the Riviera starting next week. Anyone who does Willie and Ozzy is worth checking out.
BOULEVARD II: Las Vegas Zoo Director Pat Dingle continues to recover from a major medical setback. When Las Vegas High has its reunion on Sept. 11 at Sam's Town, at least eight members of the undefeated and unscored-upon football team are scheduled to be in attendance, including captain John Mendoza, who went on to become a District Court judge. ... In the gallery at the Trevon Cole coroner's inquest: attorney Ross Goodman, who represents the family of Erik Scott, killed by police in July at the Summerlin Costco store. What has become of the prescription drug investigation of Metro Lt. Steve Menger?
John L. Smith's column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. E-mail him at Smith@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0295. He also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/smith.
