Thank you for signing up for my newsletter. The Christmas holiday is next week. My, how time flies! |
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As part of my duties on Mesquite City Council, I serve as your representative on Silver Rider. Currently, I am the Board Chairperson and I want to tell you more about this valuable service.
The Southern Nevada Transit Coalition (SNTC) was incorporated in June 2002 as part of the Nevada Department of Transportation’s (NDOT) Public Rural Ride (PRIDE) program. Silver Rider Transit is the organizational branding of the Southern Nevada Transit Coalition. The SNTC is a private, non-profit, 501(c)3 organization.
The SNTC was put to an immediate test in July 2002 when the Coalition’s largest provider of non-federal local match funding, the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC), began a series of service cuts to relieve a $3 million budget shortfall. Mesquite’s only public fixed bus route was slated for elimination. In fewer than 60 days, with the support of NDOT, RTC and the City of Mesquite, the Coalition began operating Silver Rider Transit bus service, providing an uninterrupted continuation of public transit service in Mesquite.
The SNTC began operating fixed-route services for the general public, the elderly and the disabled in the communities of Mesquite and Bunkerville in September of 2002.
This paratransit service provides transportation directly to the doctor from an individual's home. It also provides rides to the Senior Center for nutrition, activities and seminars. In 2010, SNTC received funding for new vehicles for the Mesquite operation from NDOT. The acquisition of four vehicles was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These vehicles were the first new vehicles the SNTC Mesquite operation had received since 2002. The new vehicles have enabled the Mesquite operation to realize significant cost savings as vehicle maintenance costs are lower and additional savings due to the increased fuel efficiency of the newer vehicles. Additionally, the new vehicles are low floor vehicles that do not require the traversing of steps to board or disembark. The vehicles have been well received by the Mesquite community.
In 2020, Silver Rider Transit in Mesquite and Bunkerville provided over 40,360 rides which is an average of 3,363 rides per month. Most of the passengers were casino employees, disabled seniors and children. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, ridership has been reduced by approximately 25% from 2019. In 2020-2021, SNTC received funding thru NDOT for a 5339 grant program for buses and bus facilities which makes federal resources available to states and designated recipients to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment as well as construct bus-related facilities. This includes technological changes or innovations to modify low or no emission vehicles or facilities. This allowed for three new cutaway vehicles for the Mesquite fixed-route service. Also in 2021, a second route was established that now services a Mesquite-only area. As a result, our ridership has doubled.
For more information, or if you are interested in becoming a driver, check out the Southern Nevada Transit Coalition website by clicking HERE. Download the Mesquite schedule HERE.
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Michael Jackson, Executive Director |
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Michael Jackson has been the Executive Director of Southern Nevada Transit Coalition (SNTC-Silver Rider) since 2019. He previously became the Assistant Executive Director beginning in 2011 after a career that included working with large transportation agencies such as ATC/VANCOM.
Mike is currently responsible for overseeing an operation that has over 85 employees and $7,200,000 annual operating revenues which provides public, senior, paratransit, and chemotherapy/dialysis transportation in 13 rural southern Nevada communities.
Mike provides invaluable assistance to other rural transit agencies due to his expertise in transit vehicle and facility maintenance. He is the Nevada state delegate to the Community Transportation Association of America and has an excellent working relationship with the State of Nevada Transportation Department and the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada.
Mike attended and graduated from ATC/VANCOM General Manager’s University and helped to develop courses at the ATC/VANCOM Maintenance Manager’s University, as well as instructing many maintenance managers across the nation. He has been a nominee for Green Business of the Year (Community Achievement Award) and is a past recipient of the Community Transportation Association of America’s Rural Community Transportation System of the Year.
Since 2103, Mike has been the Chairman of the Board for Laughlin’s Colorado River Food Bank.
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Our largest Shop With a Cop event took place on Wednesday.
Sixty children from Virgin Valley Elementary and J.L. Bowler Elementary went shopping at Walmart with a companion from our Mesquite Police Department. Afterward the children went to the Elks Lodge for lunch with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.
For the first time, our police found a way to include every elementary student who didn’t go shopping with a cop. MPD volunteers packaged and delivered almost 1,000 gift bags to all the other students who had to stay in school.
In addition, gift cards were given to older students at Hughes Middle School and Virgin Valley High School.
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This heartwarming event was made possible by the generous donations of the public and organizations. MPD also wants to thank their partners in law enforcement who participated as well. |
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What a special gift for our students. Great job, everyone. |
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I was at Parade of Lights on the R.A.I.S.E. entry earlier this month. This is such a fun and festive event.
More importantly, it is a food drive for the Virgin Valley Food Bank and Salvation Army.
According to organizer Debbie Benham, a record-breaking 15,771 pounds of food were collected this year, including 700 pounds picked up by volunteers who pushed grocery carts along the sidelines during the parade.
To date, 55,500 pounds of food have been collected by the Parade of Lights volunteers.
The theme of next year's parade will be "Joy to the World." It will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2022.
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I volunteered for the 17th annual Golf For Kids Tournament held last week at the Palms, Palmer, Falcon Ridge and Conestoga Golf Courses. We had 540 Golfers who each donated a $50 gift for the children or a gift card. It was cold and brisk that day on the course, but it didn't dampen the spirit of those who attended.
This is such an awesome event that will put many smiles on children's faces who may not be getting a gift otherwise.
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Thank you to everyone who made donations or volunteered to make this a successful event. |
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This is the final week Salvation Army bells will be ringing during this holiday season.
If you can step up and give an hour or two, please call (702) 345 5116 and ask for the Kettle Bell Coordinator. This is a fun way to help out and donations will stay in our community.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by and dropped a contribution into the kettle and also to everyone who volunteered.
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Chamber's Mingle & Jingle Luncheon |
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I want to thank the Chamber of Commerce for my five-year award given at their Mingle and Jingle luncheon at the Casablanca Resort.
Retiring board members were honored and new board members were announced.
The luncheon was great fun and filled with holiday spirit. We have wonderful businesses in our community and I encourage you to explore them.
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County Clerk's Office Opens in January |
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We will hold our grand opening of the Mesquite Office of the Clark County Clerk on Thursday, January 6 at 11 a.m. at Mesquite City Hall. There will be a ribbon-cutting along with cake and beverages.
Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick and County Clerk Lynn Goya are expected to attend. We have been working on bringing the Clerk's office to our city for the past one and one-half years.
This office will be open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and a half-day on Fridays. You will then be able to obtain your marriage license and attend to other matters handled by the Clerk's office which can be accessed HERE. Debbie Deboodt, who lives in Mesquite, has been hired to facilitate this office and we are excited to welcome her.
Please join us for this opening in the first week of the new year.
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I will be taking time off during the holidays to spend time with family and friends. My next newsletter will be published in the new year.
To sign up for my newsletter scroll down on the right side of my website's home page and submit your name and email address.
I can't wait to tell you more about the great things happening in our wonderful city in the upcoming year.
Have a safe and healthy holiday.
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