Mayor Gibson gives State of the City address

Talk focuses on new projects, programs, departments, policies

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Henderson will continue to look to the future while living in the present.

That was the overall theme of Mayor Jim Gibson's annual State of the City address on Feb. 16.

"The state of our city is strong and vibrant," Gibson said. "We've built a city that is fiscally sound and forward thinking."

He thanked all those in attendance early on.

"You're the lifeblood of this city. We exist because you've chosen Henderson as a place to call home either for your personal residence or for your business, and we accept either one," Gibson said.

His lunchtime presentation, hosted by the Henderson Chamber of Commerce at Green Valley Ranch Resort, was attended by more than 1,100 people, including state senators and assemblymen, representatives from the offices of several congressmen and women, and local officials such as Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman.

Gibson used the speech to talk about the positive things going on in Henderson and to announce a couple of new programs.

A new Cultural Arts and Tourism Department will be created from existing resources and is meant to help tourists and residents to take full advantage of the cultural venues in Henderson.

"It will help us make full use of places like our Pavilion at Liberty Pointe, our convention center and our new Henderson Events Plaza on Water Street," Gibson said. "This department will help leverage those venues and use them."

He also announced the Healthy Henderson Program, which encourages residents to get and stay fit.

As part of the program residents can receive free health screenings and body measurements.

Participants get an identification card and can earn points toward prizes when they engage in healthful activities.

The mayor also spoke of a new community policing emphasis.

"This proposal will divide the city into specific geographic areas, each served by a dedicated group of officers and command staff," Gibson said. "They will be based out of stations close to the neighborhoods and the officers that work in each region will be dedicated to creating a community policing type of atmosphere."

He talked about the Southern Nevada Medical Industry Coalition, established in 2002, that is starting to gain more momentum.

The organization was designed to address health care issues in Southern Nevada -- controlling nursing shortages, recruiting and keeping quality doctors and other medical personnel, and building alliances.

In addition to looking forward to new initiatives he also reflected on past victories.

In the last five years the city built 18 parks, 19 baseball fields, seven swimming pools, 16 soccer fields, 15 tennis courts, 19 basketball courts, two skate parks, two dog parks, five trails, two recreation centers and the Pavilion at Liberty Pointe.

There also were improvements to infrastructure.

In the past five years the city completed the Sunset Corridor, completed the Henderson Spaghetti Bowl, expanded St. Rose Parkway, added 110 miles of roadways, and invested $245 million in flood control channels and other infrastructure throughout the city.

"With one of the lowest property tax rates in the state we've accomplished all of this with a proven tradition of fiscal responsibility, never once raising property taxes in 16 years while maintaining the best bond rating of any city in the state," Gibson said.

He also spoke of the APPLE (All People Promoting Literacy Efforts) Partnership, a reading program with the goal of getting all children to read at grade level.

The program, supported and promoted by the city, has now been operating for one year.

Part of the program is to place baskets of children's books in restaurants, doctor's offices and other public places.

He referred to Inspirada, a development planned for an area west of Sun City Anthem and south of the Henderson Executive Airport, as evidence of the city's new philosophies on housing.

"This development will bring a whole new experience for the valley. It will make possible for our families to live and work and play while in the same neighborhood. Neighborhoods will be connected by parks and trails," Gibson said.

"People will be able to walk to school, walk to soccer games, walk to work or to the grocery store."

He said the city also is working on a property maintenance code to establish guidelines for existing neighborhoods.

The city's Comprehensive Plan, which provides a general blueprint for Henderson's future, also was recently revised.

He also mentioned an upcoming comprehensive asset management review.

"This is the business way of doing things and quite honestly we feel ourselves accountable for every blade of grass, every sign and every light," Gibson said.

He mentioned the recently approved Open Space Plan, the first document of its kind, which puts into place guidelines for the design and construction of more than 75 new miles of trails.

He concluded with remarks about the future.

"If we're to be successful at accomplishing our vision for the future we need to begin with the end in mind," Gibson said.

Audience members applauded often and seemed pleased with the speech.

Gary Toller attended the State of the City Address and said Henderson is a well-run city, especially considering all the growth.

"I like Henderson. I think it's a well-run city. I like it better than Las Vegas," Toller said.