Las Vegas mayor named “public official of the year”

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar goodman was named "public official of the year," by the Nevada League of Cities and Municipalities.

Here's what they said about Goodman, who is still mulling a potential run for governor.

"The Public Official of the Year award program was started in 1979. The first recipient was Lovelock Mayor Lyle Wilcox. Since that time, this prestigious award has been given to many outstanding elected officials from cities around the state.

“As a former recipient of the Public Official of the Year award, I know what an honor it is to be recognized by your fellow elected officials from around the state,” said Henderson Mayor Andy Hafen, who presented the award to Mayor Goodman. “Mayor Goodman has been a true leader and champion for his city. This is an award that recognizes elected officials throughout the state who have played a significant role in helping better their communities. It recognizes them for their tireless service and dedication to serving the needs of the public, so it was very fitting that we honored Mayor Goodman for all he has so passionately done for the people of Las Vegas and Nevada.”

Mayor Goodman has made it a priority to promote the economic viability of Las Vegas and the state of Nevada. In his capacity as chairman of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, he feverishly works to attract tourists from around the world to the exciting destination of Las Vegas. As a board member of the Nevada Development Authority, the mayor works to attract businesses to the state, most recently through a campaign aimed at attracting California companies to the Silver State.

His efforts to make Las Vegas a destination of choice for tourists from around the world has centered around downtown Las Vegas, which he is making into an epicenter for world-class architecture, culture, medicine and more through the development of Symphony Park. This 61-acre planned development includes the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute, designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, the 350,000 square-foot Smith Center for the Performing Arts and future plans for multiple high-rise residential units, business and retail opportunities.

The Nevada League of Cities and Municipalities was founded in 1959 and is a nonpartisan, nonprofit corporation. The membership is comprised of Nevada's city government officials and represents every incorporated city in the state of Nevada. "