MVTAB Meeting Encourages Community Involvement

By SARAH SWIMS

Moapa Valley Progress

Community and board members expressed the importance of more community involvement at the September 26 meeting of the Moapa Valley Town Advisory Board. From land use, wildlife, and local business, “be involved” seemed to be a theme of the evening.

Boy Scout Troop #326 opened the meeting with an invocation and flag ceremony and participated in the discussion during the community session.

Amos Ream of the Nevada Department of Wildlife, who has been overseeing a project to eradicate invasive Blue Tilapia population from the Muddy River, was the first presenter. Ream stated that the Tilapia will be channeled into isolated bodies of water and exposed to rotenone, a poison that specifically targets gilled organisms. The chemically-treated water is then purified — a process that may temporarily cause water to turn purple — before rejoining larger bodies of water.

Next it was announced that a Land Use Plan Meeting is scheduled for Logandale on Monday, October 22. Maps showing land use designations in the community will be available for review and area residents can make requests for changes to those maps in the upcoming Land Use Update process. MVTAB Chair Gene Houston said that land use changes can be difficult to stop once they are changed and urged the community to provide feedback.

Community spirit extended to unanimous approval of a use permit requested by Renee Wittig, owners of Pirates Landing in Logandale. The request was for a liquor license to be able to serve beer and wine at the restaurant.
“The sale of beer and wind should increase the overall business substantially,” said business consultant, Keith Grimes who represented the restaurant owner before the board.

Wittig spoke about her prior experiences in operating with licenses to sell beer and wine in Arizona, Washington, and Oregon with no problems or violations.
“We’ve always been a family restaurant,” Wittig said. “We close early and we do not anticipate any issues.”

When the topic was opened for public comment, Logandale resident Esther Ramos, who lives near the restaurant, expressed support. “I don’t know how they stay in business and this is going to help them do that,” Ramos said. “They’re just trying to stay open. We need that on that corner.”

MVTAB members also expressed general support for the item.
“I think our businesses obviously need some help,” said MVTAB member Brian Burris. “I stand behind it because it’s going to help our business community grow. They’ve been a great partner to the community, and they’re always supporting our community. So, for me, I have to support them.”

At the end of the evening, the MVTAB reviewed the budget wish list for Fiscal Year 2019/2020. Topping the list is completion of the Logandale ball field complex, including a play area and shaded bleachers with misters. Also on the list was a dedicated target shooting area with lights. And an item was listed to fix the rodeo bleachers.

Houston took a final moment to encourage those in attendance to stay consistent with their involvement. “If you want to have a say in things you need to show up,” he said. “You’d be surprised the difference one or two voices can make.”