A Shining Example of Good Planning
Last week a ceremony was held that will open a new chapter of tremendous potential for the entire Moapa Valley community. On the rocky bench just southeast of downtown Overton, the Clark County Water Reclamation District held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Moapa Valley Water Resource Center.
The new sewage treatment facility will be built at the site of the existing Overton sewer ponds. This $22.7 million project will bring the aging Overton facility into compliance with modern environmental regulations, conserving the community’s precious water resources and protecting the environment. Perhaps more importantly, the new facility will also expand the plant’s treatment capacity. This will allow a sewer line to be installed that will eventually accommodate all of the residents of Overton and Logandale. The facility will, thus, help to ensure the potential for sustained and healthy growth in the community well into the future.
Many in the community had, in the past, resisted such a project; fearing the growth and change that would inevitably come with it. Again and again over the years, when Reclamation District officials presented the idea to the community, it was pushed to the back of the town’s agenda. In the end, however, the inevitable wheels of change rolled toward this community. Explosive growth occurred at a rate not seen before. At that point, Moapa Valley suddenly found that, when the market stars are aligned just so, there is nothing that will stop the growth and change from taking place.
In reference to this dilemma, County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury has said, “Growth is neither good nor bad. It is in how the community decides to manage and shape that growth that makes all the difference.” This statement hits the nail right on the head. When a community plans for growth, with its eyes wide open; when that growth is then compelled to conform to the community’s unique standards and character; then growth can be good. But when a community closes its eyes in the fact of reality; when it fears to make plans because of the change which will inevitably result; the growth, which comes anyway, is haphazard at best and catastrophic at worst.
The Moapa Valley Water Resource Center has been a successful example of this type of visionary planning that encourages ‘good growth’. Those involved in the project, thus far, have not feared to face the inevitability of change. They have set their sights far ahead of the status quo, and have envisioned the community as it should be; all along the way factoring in the growth that is coming. They have then worked with courage and determination to find a path that will get us there.
Success of this kind is always a team effort. Much credit is due to County Commissioners Bruce Woodbury and Tom Collins who have shepherded and overseen the planning process for this project and have shown tremendous support for the Moapa Valley community throughout. In addition, Reclamation District Chairman and County Commissioner Chip Maxfield has diligently looked out for this community’s interests in this project. At last week’s groundbreaking ceremony, Commissioner Woodbury made the important point that Maxfield has not done all of this out of obligation. After all, he doesn’t represent the Moapa Valley on the County Commission. Rather he has looked out for our best interests because it is the right thing to do. Maxfield deserves special recognition for this.
The Clark County Water Reclamation District also deserves special kudos for a job well done. General Manager Richard Mendes and his staff have patiently and carefully listened to the community and taken the time to understand its needs and wants. They have then gone to work and found remarkably innovative ways to clear the many hurdles before this complex project. When a specific idea didn’t work for the community, they listened carefully to the community’s concerns and returned to the drawing board to work out a better solution.
A good deal of credit must go to the selfless efforts of local leaders. The members of the Moapa Valley Town Advisory Board (MVTAB) have successfully kept the process channeled in a direction that is best for the community. When things seemed to have been going astray, they showed courage, determination and solidarity in bringing them back on track. MVTAB Chairwoman, Judy Metz, and the rest of the board members have truly pulled through for the community on this project.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the members of the local Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) should be recognized. This committee, which was appointed to work with the Reclamation District staff throughout the process, has voluntarily spent countless hours in service to this community on this project. Logandale resident, Gene Houston, who for several years played a dual role as member of the CAC and MVTAB Chair, should be especially recognized for his continued vision and determined leadership. Other members of the committee are Rik Eide, Steve Getz, Lon Empey, Ken Sites, Heber Tobler and Brad Huza.
The Moapa Valley Water Resource Center will be a tremendous triumph for this community. It should be held up as a shining example of excellent community planning. Its success derives, simply, from a healthy collaboration and an open dialogue between elected county officials, county and district staff members, and community residents. May all future improvement projects in this community look to this one as an example of what to do.
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