North Las Vegas mayor focuses on the positives for the new year

Mayor Shari Buck chose not to dwell on the tumultuous elements of 2011 when she faced about 600 business professionals and fellow city leaders at the 16th annual North Las Vegas State of the City address Jan. 12 at Texas Station, 2101 Texas Star Lane.
She touched on the negatives quickly — and only once — at the top of her address.
“The past two years have been some of the most difficult endured by the city since it was chartered in 1946,” she said. “Layoffs, a contested election, budget deficits, employees fearful of what would come next, and unfortunately, an attitude of crisis management instead of stabilization left us all feeling worn out, stressed out and underappreciated. But, we made the tough decisions, balanced the budget and took time to take a breath.”
A “harried and stressful time,” she said, has led to a fresh outlook.
“It is an upbeat time in the city,” she said. “But we’re not out of the woods yet. We’re going to have our struggles again, but this year, we’re optimistic.”
Buck unveiled this year’s theme, “Go North,” a harken to the old-time expression “Go West.”
“It echoes the sentiment of a time and of a people who would go forth and forge their own destinies in a land of great opportunity,” Buck said.
She highlighted about 20 businesses that brought production and jobs to North Las Vegas last year. Among them, Blue Oasis Pure Shrimp, a sustainable North Las Vegas shrimp farm, had its product served at the luncheon.
She celebrated the new North Las Vegas City Hall, 2250 Las Vegas Blvd. North, SkyView Multi-Generational Center, 3050 E. Centennial Parkway, and trails along the Upper Las Vegas Wash.
Buck heralded individuals who helped the city with community initiatives when the budget wouldn’t allow much outside spending.
She spoke about efforts to “Go North” and go green such as North Las Vegas City Hall, which utilizes recycled materials and solar panels and is the city’s first LEED-certified building. She also shed light on Repurpose America, a nonprofit which revamps materials discarded by local conventions, show management, general contractors, exhibitors and organizations.
Buck mentioned businesses slated to “Go North” this year. Knight Transportation, Firestone Complete Auto Care centers, Collision Authority auto repair and Las Vegas Athletic Clubs are slated to “make North Las Vegas home,” she said.
She dubbed the city “an anomaly in the valley” because 57 percent of its land is available for development.
“Indeed — it is a new day in North Las Vegas,” Buck said. “I am glad we made the choice to ‘Go North’ and make North Las Vegas our community of choice.”

Contact Centennial and North Las Vegas View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.