By VERNON ROBISON
Moapa Valley Progress
A small group of local residents gathered at the Old Logandale School on Saturday to meet up with Assemblyman James Oscarson. Oscarson was holding his first campaign kickoff for the upcoming elections here in Moapa Valley.
Local campaign volunteers were on hand at the event to grill up hamburgers and hotdogs for those in attendance. There were also door prizes and, with a relatively small turnout, just about everyone in attendance was a winner.
“I know the elections are a ways off but we wanted to get started early this year in engaging with the community,” Oscarson said. “And it was important to me that we start here in this Valley.”
Though Oscarson now lives in Pahrump, he owns property in Logandale and was once a resident here who was involved in community groups and organizations.
“Every time I come over that hill and look out over the reservoir and the valley it still feels like home,” he said.
Oscarson was first elected to the State Assembly in 2012 just after the election districts had been redrawn. His district, number 36, was drawn to include Moapa and Logandale as well as much of Lincoln county and a large swath of the rural center of the state. The district also dips down to the southwest and includes the town of Pahrump.
“It is a big district with a lot of needs,” Oscarson said. “Being a rural legislator is a lot different than being an urban legislator. There are so many differences and variables from one community to another. You can’t just campaign by walking down streets and knocking on doors. You have to attend community events and get out and engage with these communities. That’s the only way that I can learn about each one’s needs.”
Oscarson said that he has worked hard to help in providing at the state level what the community needs.
He said one of his important tasks has been to assure access to quality health care services in Moapa Valley.
“I recognize that there is an issue with access to healthcare here,” he said. “I’ve been in touch regularly with United Healthcare to make sure that there is viable health care services still here.”
Oscarson added that he is also in monthly contact with officials from the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange in overcoming problems with that system.
“There have certainly been challenges, but a lot of that has resulted from federal issues,” Oscarson said. “A lot of people have different feelings about the Affordable Care Act. But right wrong or indifferent, our Governor has said that the state is into it for the next three years. So we are making it work and making the best of it.”
As Oscarson spoke to those in attendance he spoke about some of the things that he had found frustrating about his first session at the Legislature. He listed a number of bills that were presented which did not really aim at what they purported to.
One example he named was the Gun Control bill (SB-221).
“They kept saying that it was a mental health bill to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of the mentally ill,” Oscarson said. “But it was really just gun control disguised as a mental health bill. That’s why it was vetoed by the Governor. And as long as Brian Sandoval is in office, I just don’t think something like that will get through.”
Another example was Senate Bill 374 which provides for legal medical marijuana use in the state.
“It was not about medical use at all,” Oscarson said of the bill. “No! It was just the camel’s nose under the tent for full legalization. Look, it is a state law that is against federal law and it raises all kinds of problems.”
When asked what could be done at the State level to help with economic development in Moapa Valley, Oscarson said that he has been in close contact with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development in encouraging new businesses to come to the State. He said that Moapa Valley should be included in that process and he pledged to help in that inclusion.
“This valley is a small and a unique community,” he said. “So it is a matter of just finding that magical fit for this community of a business that is acceptable and appropriate here, but will bring jobs and industry to town.”
Though the turn-out was sparse at the campaign kickoff event, Oscarson was pleased to be able to discuss the issues with those few who came.
“It’s a busy time and people are busy,” he said. “But I feel that what is important is that I am here to listen to the community and to its concerns. And I’ll be back many times during the campaign and throughout the year. It’s always good to be here in Moapa Valley!”
