Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI)
http://communitylink.reviewjournal.com/lvrj/wbti Advisory Board: Governor Kenny Guinn, Chairman; U. S. Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Vice Chairmen; U.S. Representatives James Gibbons and Shelley Berkley, and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, Executive Directors. U. S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, Chairperson; Dr. Tony T. Lei, President. District Judges Mark Denton and Valorie Vega, Vice Presidents. Dr. William N. Thompson, Director of Public Administration Institution; Dr. E. Lee Bernick and Dr. G. Keong Leong, Deans of Graduate School of Business and Public Administra- tion; Dr.Sue Fawn Chung, Director of Culture Institution. Justice of the Supreme Court William Maupin, Attorney General Brain Sandoval, District Judge Stewart Bell, Honorary Chairmen, Clark County District Attorney and Police Civil Commission (CCDAPCC). District Attorney David Roger and Clark County Sheriff Bill Young, Chairmen of CCDAPCC. *It's our pleasure to pay a tribute to the above officials who dedicate to the civic and community service aspects of our organiza-tion in an honorary or adjunct capacity. WBTI: Tel. at (702) 255-9058 E-mail to: tojulei@yahoo.com

NOTABLE NATIVE AMERICAN, NATIVE NEVADAN
SARAH WINNEMUCCA HONORED IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
By Dr. Kenny C. Guinn*1

[[[......]]] Photo by Ryan McGinness
During a ceremony held earlier today in the Rotunda of the United States Capitol, the remarkable 19th-century Native American and Native Nevadan, Sarah Winnemucca, was honored with the dedication of a statue of the notable activist and educator in National Statuary Hall. Sarah Winnemucca is only the second historic figure from Nevada to be so honored, joining a statue of Sen. Patrick McCarran.

Sarah Winnemucca was one of the truly great women in the history of Nevada. She was a believer in the brotherhood of mankind, and lived an exemplary life that benefited others, whether they were Native Americans or white settlers who came to the state in the 19th century. The honor bestowed upon her memory today could not go to a more deserving figure in Nevada’s history.

The beautiful statue of Sarah Winnemucca was created by a talented young artist named Benjamin Victor, whose exquisite work culminated a four-year grassroots effort led by a number of dedicated and hardworking Nevadans. I signed into law legislation in 2001 that called for the creation of the statue, and the Nevada Women’s History Project raised enough money for the statue to become a reality. Nevada First Lady Dema Guinn also played an important role in realizing these fundraising goals, traveling the state, personally raising more than $100,000 for the project and serving as honorary chairperson for the statue selection committee. The State of Nevada owes a sincere debt of gratitude to all of the Nevadans that embraced this important project.

Today’s ceremony, attended by all of the major leaders of the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, including Nevada Sens. Harry Reid and John Ensign and Congressman Jim Gibbons, was a fitting tribute to a great Native America and Native Nevadan. Sarah Winnemucca has always been more than a mere footnote in our state’s history, and with the dedication of her statue in Statuary Hall, her memory now belongs to the ages.

The ceremony will be shown at a later date on C-SPAN. C-SPAN’s programming schedule can be found at: cspan.org
Additional photographs and information about Sarah Winnemucca.

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Reference

*1. About Governor Kenny Guinn (concise one by the Editor of this flier):

Kenny Guinn, 68, earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in Physical Education from Fresno State University and later obtained a doctorate in Education from Utah State University in Logan.

In 1994, Guinn was recruited by the University of Nevada Board of Regents to serve as interim president of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.

Kenny spent his boyhood in the small, Central Valley town of Exeter, California where he met Dema, his wife of 48 years. Kenny Guinn believes in families.

Dr. Kenny C. Guinn is Chairman of the Advisory Board of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI). He is now the Governor of Nevada, U. S. A. at his second term.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 9,
2005 Contact Greg Bortolin or John Trent
775-684-5670

CARSON CITY – Gov. Kenny Guinn today announced the appointment of Cynthia M. Reid of Henderson to the Nevada State Board of Education, District 4. She replaces John Hawk, who resigned on Jan. 21.

“For many years, Cynthia Reid has been one of the state’s leading educators,” Gov. Guinn said. “She has a very clear understanding of the challenges facing Nevada education, and what it will take for our state to meet these challenges. She will bring a reasoned voice with great practical experience to the State Board of Education. I believe she will make an excellent addition to the board.”

Reid, 40, is an adjunct instructor at the Community College of Southern Nevada. Previously, she taught English at Chaparral High School in Las Vegas and was a social worker at Child Haven in Las Vegas. She received her bachelor of arts degree in English from Brigham Young University and her master’s degree in Instructional and Curricular Studies from UNLV.

“I’ve always been passionate about education, and I am grateful to Gov. Guinn for this appointment,” Reid said. “I am looking forward to serving our public education system.”

The Board of Education consists of 10 members elected by the registered voters within the districts described in Nevada Statute. Each member of the State Board must be a resident of the district from which that member is elected. If a vacancy occurs, the Governor shall appoint a member to fill the vacancy. The appointee must be a resident of the district where the vacancy occurs.

Office of the Governor
101 North Carson Street
Fax: 775-684-7198
Grant Sawyer State Office Building
555 East Washington, Suite 5100 Las Vegas, NV 89101
Fax: 702-486-2505

Wed, 5 Jan 2005 13:40:00 -0800
From: "Office of the Governor" [governor@gov.state.nv.us]

It is our pleasure to post immediately the following Press Release which was received by Dr. Tony Lei a few minutes ago from the Office of Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 5, 2005 Contact Greg Bortolin or John Trent
775-684-5670

Media advisory

CARSON CITY – Gov. Kenny Guinn will hold a media briefing regarding a major budget announcement at 10 a.m. on Thursday in his Las Vegas office.

WHAT: Gov. Guinn to hold media briefing regarding a major budget announcement.

WHEN: 10 a.m., Thursday, January 6.

WHERE: Governor’s Las Vegas office, Grant Sawyer State Office Building, 555 East Washington, Suite 5100, Las Vegas.

Office of the Governor Grant Sawyer State Office Building
101 North Carson Street 555 East Washington, Suite 5100
Carson City, NV 89701 Las Vegas, NV 89101
Fax: 775-684-7198 Fax: 702-486-2505

Nevada’s rich mining history, coupled with its large percentage of federally owned land, presents a complex challenge to state regulators who oversee reclamation of closed mines. The Anaconda copper mine site in Yerington is an example of this. The State of Nevada, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), working in concert through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement, are endeavoring to clean up and reclaim the old mine site. To ensure that all available resources are used in this effort, the State of Nevada has requested that the EPA serve as the lead regulatory agency, under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA 106).

Throughout the reclamation process, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) has and will remain focused on its regulatory duty and will continue to make every effort to address immediate threats to human health and the environment. Significant progress has been made by the three agencies involved with the MOU and each step thus far has led to an evolving environmental understanding of the site. The MOU process provided a forum to develop a broad scope of scientific-based plans for remediation.

Atlantic Richfield Company has cooperated with MOU agencies in the site’s cleanup throughout the process. In the past few months, progress has been made in finalizing a work plan for the location of monitoring wells, air-monitoring locations and soil testing. It is the State’s understanding that EPA will use its CERCLA 106 authority to continue this work progress without losing ground or starting over.

I applaud the efforts of Lyon County, the City of Yerington, and the Yerington Paiute Tribe for working together with our state regulators for the common benefit of the community and the environment. As with the cleanup of the Sparks Tank Farm and the subsequent creation of the Sparks Marina, I anticipate that EPA will continue to work closely with NDEP to remediate and reclaim the former mine site. This cooperative effort will not only restore the land but will improve the overall environment for the Yerington community.

-----------------------------------------
Reference

*1. About Governor Kenny Guinn (concise one by the Editor of this flier):

Kenny Guinn, 67, earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in Physical Education from Fresno State University and later obtained a doctorate in Education from Utah State University in Logan.

In 1994, Guinn was recruited by the University of Nevada Board of Regents to serve as interim president of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.

Kenny spent his boyhood in the small, Central Valley town of Exeter, California where he met Dema, his wife of 47 years. Kenny Guinn believes in families.

Dr. Kenny Guinn is Chairman of the Advisory Board of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI). He is now the Governor of Nevada, U. S. A. at his second term.

On December 3, the State of Nevada received important news when biologists with the U.S. Department of Interior announced that the Sage Grouse does not warrant listing under the Endangered Species Act. This is a preliminary decision, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to make its final decision by the end of December.

The preliminary decision is good news for Nevada, as well as at least 11 other western states containing Sage Grouse habitat. The December 3 announcement recognizes the success of locally led efforts in the West to conserve the Sage Grouse. Nevada’s effort, in particular, has served as a model for the rest of the nation.

Four years ago, I convened the 25-member Governor’s Sage Grouse Conservation Team, which has developed a statewide plan and compiled local plans relating to the future of the Sage Grouse. I am proud of the work these people did. Seven local planning groups, including state and federal agency personnel, nongovernmental agency partners and private stakeholders, identified local risks to Sage Grouse populations, and developed actions to mitigate these risks. More than 9,000 volunteer hours were invested in this bi-state conservation process that stretched from Nevada into eastern California, making it one of the largest resource planning efforts of its kind.

Through this work, Nevada has developed what I believe is a cohesive road map to guide Sage Grouse conservation efforts in Nevada, eastern California and throughout the West. Nevada has made an unprecedented push in addressing this important resource issue, from the highest level of government to the local levels. The preliminary ruling from the Department of Interior clearly recognizes this fact. The Western Governors Association has announced its endorsement of Nevada’s approach, so that the use of best available science and any new science will continue to have a positive influence on this resource planning process. As the West awaits the final ruling from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, it is abundantly clear that the citizens of Nevada have played a prominent and successful role in ensuring the future of the Sage Grouse.

-----------------------------------------
Reference

*1. About Governor Kenny Guinn (by the Editor of this flier):

Kenny Guinn, 67, earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in Physical Education from Fresno State University and later obtained a doctorate in Education from Utah State University in Logan. He was named Superintendent of Schools in Clark County and served with distinction in that position until 1978.

In his work for the Clark County School District, Guinn was recognized as an effective administrator committed to educational excellence at a time when the county was experiencing exponential student growth. His service to Clark County students was honored when Kenny C. Guinn Junior High School was named for him.

In 1978, Guinn began applying his management skills in business as Administrative Vice President for Nevada Savings and Loan in Las Vegas, which later became PriMerit Bank. At PriMerit, he was appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Las Vegas-based bank. Soon thereafter, Guinn was recruited to the energy business as the President of Southwest Gas Corporation and eventually became Chairman of the Board of Directors of that utility in 1993.

In 1994, Guinn was recruited by the University of Nevada Board of Regents to serve as interim president of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.

In addition to his one-year term at UNLV, Guinn served the state in leadership roles on a variety of committees and commissions, including the Clark County Community College Advisory Committee, the UNLV Foundation Board of Trustees, the White House Conference on Children and Youth, among others.

Guinn has also worked in his community in a variety of volunteer roles, ranging from involvement in the Boy Scouts and Pop Warner Football to the United Way of Southern Nevada and the Southern Nevada Independent Youth Athletic Association.

Kenny spent his boyhood in the small, Central Valley town of Exeter, California where he met Dema, his wife of 47 years. Kenny Guinn believes in families.

Dr. Kenny Guinn is now the Governor of Nevada, U. S. A. at his second term.

If there has been one constant of the information age, it is that electronic communication and its presentation must always change. This is especially important for a growing state such as Nevada, where our population increases on a daily basis. Given the dynamic nature of information dissemination, I am pleased to announce that the State of Nevada’s Web site has undergone several “refinements?in an effort to make it more user-friendly for the general public.

You’ll notice that the State of Nevada Web site has a new typeface, with a new welcome banner across the top of the page. In addition, the page is more “balanced?with three equally long columns created through a re-arrangement of the various features offered. Several features, such as the state’s proclamations, have been edited and shortened to a simple link. This eliminates less-useful information that can still be easily accessed with one simple click, creates new prominence for other features, and gives the state’s Webmaster far more flexibility for future changes.

Interactivity for any Web site is a must, and the State of Nevada Web site continues to evolve in this area. You’ll note that this week there is a link for ?a href="http://nv.gov/new_SpecialEvents_Downloads.htm">Halloween at the Governor’s Mansion,?which includes downloadable Halloween and Nevada Day photos. Thanks to the effort of State Photographer Rich Johnston, more than 1,700 photos from last weekend are now available for downloading. There is also a helpful link for the State’s Elections Division for the Nov. 2 vote, which features Nevada’s results for all of the races on the 2004 ballot. Nevada’s taxpayers literally get a chance to see their money at work through an interesting link (?a href="http://nv.gov/NDOT_ConstructionProg.htm">Construction projects from NDOT? featuring video, photography and other graphic elements from the Nevada Department of Transportation’s construction projects in both southern and northern Nevada. Of course, many of the Web site’s most-used features remain essentially the same: Quick Links, Governor’s Messages, Agency Newsletters, DMV Online, Nevada Tourism, just to name a few. The site also has an enterprise edition of the navigation that all state Web sites can use.

In the months to come, Nevada’s Web site will continue to evolve, and its features will continue to be refined, thanks in large part to a steady stream of between 300 to 600 guestbook requests and comments that the site receives each month. The site will continue to create further collaboration with state agencies in the ongoing effort to improve content and presentation. I would like to thank the Department of Information Technology and State Webmaster Linda DeSantis for their efforts on this exciting and worthwhile piece of state communication.

Over the past six years, my administration has emphasized the importance of innovative programs administered through the State Department of Corrections. One of the most important has been the development of the Casa Grande re-entry/transitional housing facility, which held a groundbreaking ceremony earlier this week in Las Vegas. Special thanks are extended to developer Irwin Molasky and Department of Corrections Director Jackie Crawford, who have worked closely with Department of Corrections staff, the Governor’s Office, the Treasurer’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office in taking Casa Grande from concept to reality.

Casa Grande, a comprehensive, community-based residential facility, will assist Department of Corrections offenders as they re-enter mainstream society. It will provide a cost-effective and program-intensive alternative to traditional prison custody. When fully functional, Casa Grande will lower the number of repeat non-violent offenders – making for a safer Nevada.

Numerous studies have shown that it is not enough to simply lock up offenders without offering them an effective means to transition back into mainstream society.

That is why the state’s investment in Casa Grande is so crucial. Re-entry planning and transitional services can and do make a difference – for the offenders, and for the communities in which offenders choose to live after they have completed their sentences. Casa Grande also makes excellent business sense, as the cost benefit will save Nevada millions of dollars each year.

At Casa Grande, inmates will receive counseling and assistance in important areas such as housing, education, employment, financial management, medical concerns, and family reunification. Just as important, Casa Grande will allow Nevada to join only a handful of other states (Illinois, Maryland, Oregon, and Utah) that have similar transitional and re-entry programs. When Casa Grande is completed in summer 2005, it will make Nevada a strong example for the rest of the country, and will further magnify our excellent efforts by the Department of Corrections.

-----------------------------------------
Reference

*1. About Governor Kenny Guinn (by the Editor of this flier):

Kenny Guinn, 67, earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in Physical Education from Fresno State University and later obtained a doctorate in Education from Utah State University in Logan. He was named Superintendent of Schools in Clark County and served with distinction in that position until 1978.

In his work for the Clark County School District, Guinn was recognized as an effective administrator committed to educational excellence at a time when the county was experiencing exponential student growth. His service to Clark County students was honored when Kenny C. Guinn Junior High School was named for him.

In 1978, Guinn began applying his management skills in business as Administrative Vice President for Nevada Savings and Loan in Las Vegas, which later became PriMerit Bank. At PriMerit, he was appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Las Vegas-based bank. Soon thereafter, Guinn was recruited to the energy business as the President of Southwest Gas Corporation and eventually became Chairman of the Board of Directors of that utility in 1993.

In 1994, Guinn was recruited by the University of Nevada Board of Regents to serve as interim president of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.

In addition to his one-year term at UNLV, Guinn served the state in leadership roles on a variety of committees and commissions, including the Clark County Community College Advisory Committee, the UNLV Foundation Board of Trustees, the White House Conference on Children and Youth, among others.

Guinn has also worked in his community in a variety of volunteer roles, ranging from involvement in the Boy Scouts and Pop Warner Football to the United Way of Southern Nevada and the Southern Nevada Independent Youth Athletic Association.

Kenny spent his boyhood in the small, Central Valley town of Exeter, California where he met Dema, his wife of 47 years. Kenny Guinn believes in families.

Dr. Kenny Guinn is Chairman of the Advisory Board of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI). He is now the Governor of Nevada, U. S. A. at his second term.

[governor@GOV.STATE.NV.US]
Wed, 24 Nov 2004 10:14:14 -0800
<<11-24-04 Mrs Guinn Habitat letter.doc>>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 24, 2004 Contact Greg Bortolin or John Trent 775-684-5670

CARSON CITY - First Lady Dema Guinn has written the following op-ed piece regarding the holiday season and the need for Nevadans to support affordable homes for needy citizens:

Support affordable homes for the needy during the holidays

By Dema Guinn

I have many fond memories of my family gathered together in our home for the holidays, celebrating the season with those nearest and dearest to us. Certainly, home has not always been the Governor’s Mansion, where my husband, Kenny, and I, are privileged to live now, but we have always been blessed with a comfortable place to lay our heads at night, to laugh together, to delight in our children and grandchildren as they opened their gifts on Christmas morning.

That is how most of us will spend the holidays again this year - in a comfortable home with friends and family. But even in our own communities, there are families who will spend the holidays in need of decent shelter. Habitat for Humanity is one organization that is helping families in need build a better future. Through the generosity of individual donors, businesses, houses of worship and other sponsors, Habitat for Humanity is able to sell houses to families in need with no-profit, no-interest mortgages. Those mortgage payments go into a “revolving fund” to build more houses.

Imagine how many more families nationwide could be in decent homes of their own at this time next year, if more of us could give of our time and resources. One opportunity to give is the “Homes for the Holidays” campaign that offers the opportunity to donate to Habitat for Humanity as you check out of your local Lowe’s hardware store. You donation will build houses in your community and around the world. You can also find your affiliate and other opportunities to get involved by visiting www.habitat.org

This year, as we open our gifts, think about the greatest gift you can give any family - a safe and healthy home where children can thrive and grow. In the coming new year, let us all hope that people from all walks of life can join together in making this dream a reality.

Office of the Governor Grant Sawyer State Office Building
101 North Carson Street 555 East Washington, Suite 5100
Carson City, NV 89701 Las Vegas, NV 89101
Fax: 775-684-7198 Fax: 702-486-2505

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COSTS CONTINUE TO DECREASE in Nevada
By Dr. Kenny C. Guinn*1

I’d like to tell you about another positive development for Nevada’s business climate. Since this administration privatized Nevada’s workers’ compensation system in 1999, one of the major success stories for our state has been the downward trend in workers’ compensation rates. This privatization resulted in the elimination of a potential $1.6 billion state liability and helped the state create better efficiencies, resulting in the elimination of more than 500 employee positions. As a result, most Nevada employers have seen a consistent reduction in renewal premiums.

Recently, the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) submitted a filing to decrease workers’ compensation voluntary insurance loss costs in Nevada by an average of 6.8 percent. The NCCI also filed for a decrease in workers’ compensation insurance assigned risk rates by an average of 1.9 percent. The changes will become effective in January 2005.

This is the second year in a row that workers’ compensation loss costs have declined for Nevada’s employers. In 2004, rates were decreased by 12.3 percent in voluntary loss costs and 15.6 percent in assigned risk rates. This is in contrast to many other states, where workers’ compensation rates have remained flat or increased.

Nevada’s efforts to diversify the state’s business portfolio benefit greatly from these falling rates, as reduced costs encourage businesses to relocate to Nevada. In addition, reduced costs encourage existing businesses to remain firm in their commitment to Nevada. Although it should be noted that NCCI loss costs are only one component of the rates charged by insurers, this recent news is yet another encouraging sign of the state’s ever-strengthening business climate.

-----------------------------------------
Reference

*1. About Governor Kenny Guinn (by the Editor of this flier):

Kenny Guinn, 67, earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in Physical Education from Fresno State University and later obtained a doctorate in Education from Utah State University in Logan. He was named Superintendent of Schools in Clark County and served with distinction in that position until 1978.

In his work for the Clark County School District, Guinn was recognized as an effective administrator committed to educational excellence at a time when the county was experiencing exponential student growth. His service to Clark County students was honored when Kenny C. Guinn Junior High School was named for him.

In 1978, Guinn began applying his management skills in business as Administrative Vice President for Nevada Savings and Loan in Las Vegas, which later became PriMerit Bank. At PriMerit, he was appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Las Vegas-based bank. Soon thereafter, Guinn was recruited to the energy business as the President of Southwest Gas Corporation and eventually became Chairman of the Board of Directors of that utility in 1993.

In 1994, Guinn was recruited by the University of Nevada Board of Regents to serve as interim president of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.

In addition to his one-year term at UNLV, Guinn served the state in leadership roles on a variety of committees and commissions, including the Clark County Community College Advisory Committee, the UNLV Foundation Board of Trustees, the White House Conference on Children and Youth, among others.

Guinn has also worked in his community in a variety of volunteer roles, ranging from involvement in the Boy Scouts and Pop Warner Football to the United Way of Southern Nevada and the Southern Nevada Independent Youth Athletic Association.

Kenny spent his boyhood in the small, Central Valley town of Exeter, California where he met Dema, his wife of 47 years. Kenny Guinn believes in families.

Dr. Kenny Guinn is Chairman of the Advisory Board of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI). He is now the Governor of Nevada, U. S. A. at his second term.

> http://communitylink.reviewjournal.com/lvrj/wbti

Sincerely,

WBTI