Las Vegas Weekly

September 1, 2009 · 9:58 PM

Time pens a story about Vegas, and Oscar Goodman takes umbrage

By John Katsilometes

Mayor Oscar Goodman and showgirls at his 70th birthday celebration at the Golden Nugget on July 31.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Mayor Oscar Goodman is again taking umbrage at a negative depiction of Las Vegas in a national forum, having penned a letter to Time in response to Joel Stein’s cover story from Aug. 24 titled “Less Vegas.”

Click on the link to the letter here, or you can just read the full of it below:

“The article "Less Vegas" [Aug. 24] may leave readers with the impression that Las Vegas' best days are behind us, but that couldn't be further from the truth. There's still a lot of activity and excitement left in the city. Even during the worst recession in decades, Las Vegas is projected to host about 36 million visitors in 2009. In the past year, Las Vegas has had more than $13 billion of new business development, as well as major projects that are set to open in the next few months. Like many cities, Las Vegas has felt the impact of the economic downturn. However, investors still have confidence in Las Vegas, and the long-term future of our city is bright. Oscar B. Goodman, Mayor, LAS VEGAS”

I’ve sent an e-mail to city of Las Vegas spokesman Jace Radke to reach Goodman for comment on why he felt it important to respond to the story. Nothing yet, but if/when that happens, I’ll add it, pronto.

Update: In a just-finished conversation, Mayor Goodman said: “I always defend Las Vegas when it is criticized nationally or internationally. I’m not concerned about anything other than the world knowing that Las Vegas is a great place, and anyone who doesn’t agree with that, including newspaper reporters, can drop dead. ... My letter was very positive in its defense of Las Vegas, which has a great future. It’s my job to defend Las Vegas, and who is more important in Las Vegas than the mayor? The mayor’s wife, and that’s it.”

Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at twitter.com/JohnnyKats.

Share This