Mayor’s remarks stir backlash

Residents and community leaders upset by Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman's angry statements about President Barack Obama said they would welcome Obama to the city, even if Goodman won't.

At a news conference at City Hall, Katherine Duncan, president of the Las Vegas Ward Five Chamber of Commerce, Assemblyman Harvey Munford, D-Las Vegas, and several residents said Goodman overreacted to Obama's statement Tuesday in New Hampshire warning people not to "blow cash on Vegas when you're trying to save for college."

Shortly after Obama's speech, Goodman and many other Nevada politicians criticized Obama, saying he shouldn't discourage Las Vegas visitation, especially when the Nevada economy is in shambles.

Goodman went so far as to say he wouldn't welcome Obama during a presidential visit planned around Feb. 18.

"We want to offer an open invitation to our president," Duncan said. "We want to offer our sincere apologies on behalf of our mayor."

The news conference came the day after a community meeting during which Goodman stormed out following a racially charged exchange with a resident.

Witnesses said the exchange was over school integration and Goodman's role in the black community. At the meeting there were also fliers denouncing Goodman's Obama comments and urging residents to express their discontent at City Hall the next day.

Goodman wouldn't answer questions after the meeting.

He was seen storming out of the event saying "I'm not going to be called a racist." When asked by a reporter what happened, Goodman said, "Find out in there."

Duncan said she didn't think Goodman's Obama outburst was racist or racially motivated. But she did say "it shows the mayor's lack of sensitivity to our people and our neighborhoods."

Some black residents say Goodman went overboard in criticizing Obama.

Resident Mike Marks, 60, said Obama's use of Las Vegas "is just an analogy, like 'don't put the cart before the horse.' "

Goodman's outburst directed at America's first black president tapped into general discontent with city government among some Las Vegas residents, particularly in the West Side, the historic black neighborhood generally bordered by Carey Avenue, Bonanza Road, Rancho Drive and Interstate 15.

"I have always been a fan and supporter of Oscar Goodman," Marks said. "But right now I wouldn't vote for him for dog catcher."

Resident Saul Williams Jr., 58, said he didn't appreciate Goodman's Obama outburst but was also upset that even as Goodman and other city officials direct millions of dollars into downtown redevelopment, the neighborhood around his near-downtown home, built in 1931, is still underdeveloped.

"I don't have a sidewalk and I pay taxes," Williams said.

Other Las Vegas residents say Goodman was correct to criticize Obama, especially since the remark in New Hampshire was the second time in a year he used Las Vegas as a negative example to make a point about wasteful spending.

"The mayor has the right to feel the way he does because this is not the first time Obama has done this to our city. That has to be taken into consideration," said Las Vegas resident Mike Parola, 54, who said he voted for Obama.

The "first time," in February last year, came when banks and other firms receiving bailout money from the government were under criticism for holding meetings and junkets in Las Vegas.

Obama told an audience in Elkhart, Ind., "You can't get corporate jets, you can't go take a trip to Las Vegas or go down to the Super Bowl on the taxpayer's dime."

Politicians and convention industry officials said Obama's comments scared off business Las Vegas could have used given the recession.

Parola said he had to close his trucking company in March 2008 because of high fuel prices. He is now preparing to start another trucking company, but will have to go to Salt Lake City to do so.

"I'm going out of the city to get better work. I'm doing that because our economy is still failing," Parola said. "I think Vegas needs (Obama's) help more than his derogatory opinion toward Vegas."

Goodman responded to Duncan and the others through city of Las Vegas Communications Director David Riggleman, who wrote the mayor "feels if the demonstration today is a measure of the outrage in West Las Vegas, the poor turnout, where members of the news media equaled the protesters, speaks for itself."

Contact reporter Benjamin Spillman at bspillman@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3861.