They’re
After Us Again
(September 14th, 2009)
Virtually unnoticed recently, the Clark County Board of Commissioners approved a 'plan' from the County Clerk's office, which severely cut back on the office hours of the Clerk's offices in outlying communities. Laughlin was cut back to three days a week (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday). The chief reason given was that those offices being cut back were not doing enough business to warrant remaining open every day of the week. Supposedly a study was done in coming to these conclusions, but it is doubtful that much thought was given to the hours involved.
In one area, at least, the chief beneficiaries of this action were a clerk or two working downtown and the various wedding chapels in Las Vegas.
Way back when, when a branch of the Clerk's office was first opened in Laughlin, it took a little time to really get it off the ground. It was a part-time position with an office just outside our local court. The hours were close to those of the court, and the office was closed on Mondays. At the absolute INSISTENCE of the County Clerk's office, the local office was forced to remain open seven days a week. It was a matter of adequately serving the public.
The action of the Clerk's office/County Commission has now ruined the good reputation that the convenience of the local Clerk's office has so carefully nurtured these last few years. Not to mention the 'business' that has been lost in Laughlin and that will be lost in the future. For example, in terms of Marriage Licenses: One couple called to set up a wedding for a recent Sunday. When informed that they would have to go to Las Vegas (and stand in their interminably long lines) they said OK and set out for the County Seat. Yep. You guessed it; they never came back to Laughlin, never married here, never stayed overnight or patronized any of our fine restaurants or casinos. How many went to the Town Hall and were turned away? Who knows!!! Some establishments and officiants had planned and set up special ceremony/events for couples who wanted to get married on September 9th. But, if they didn't already have their Marriage Licenses by 5 PM the previous Saturday, their choices the day after are to drive to Las Vegas and get a license (and probably stay there to get married and 'celebrate.'); Drive over to Bullhead City, get an Arizona license and get married there; or cancel their plans for Laughlin, and get married somewhere else. [I was able to get hold of some that I had scheduled -- only one couple lived close enough to get here before 5 PM Saturday so that we did not have to change those plans. Others indicated they didn't know, but may have to change their plans.]
Many years ago, my sainted father told me that anyone who is employed by any governmental unit and eats at the public trough is a Public SERVANT, whether elected, appointed or hired. My mother worked for a state government unit for decades. The sole reason for the existence of the position that they fill is to serve the PUBLIC. NOT to favor their friends; NOT to favor particular businesses; NOT to build their own little fiefdoms in the public domain at the public expense. In case of the so-called study supposedly done by the Clerk's office -- and the County Commission for that matter--the object was NOT how best to serve our Nevada Taxpayers, the Public, the visitors to our area, or ALL the businesses of Clark county. I might add, that these things are to be done regardless of any negative effects on the individual(s) doing the study, their friends, or their fellow employees.
I have generally been supportive of public servants in our area. But, now that I think about it, it is only the Police who are truly aware of their obligation to the public; and they are to be congratulated for doing so in a pretty fair and evenhanded manner. I think that the others should be remanded to a Public Servant school, and, if they are unable or unwilling to 'get with the program' should be summarily dismissed or relieved of office.
Jerry Preuss
[Editor’s Note: The Reverend Jerry Preuss has served the people of Laughlin for many years as the Minister of Living Christ Lutheran Church]
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