In recalling his career in the public sector, Boulder City native Jacob Snow credits fellow Nevadans Robert Broadbent and Bruce Woodbury as two mentors who helped shape his world view. After attending Boulder City schools and serving a religious mission in Hong Kong, earning his Bachelor's and Master's degrees at Brigham Young University, and working as community development planner for the City of Provo, Utah, 1987-1989, Snow has lived and worked in Clark County. Snow's degrees in geography and urban planning and his experience in transportation directly benefited Clark County residents from 1989 through 2015; we continue to derive indirect advantage of his knowledge through his current consulting business. In this interview, he speaks to the ways infrastructure accommodated Southern Nevada's growth. He discusses McCarran's Terminal Three, the Las Vegas Monorail, UNLV's football stadium, the Bruce Woodbury Beltway, and the Fremont Street Experience. He explains the ethos of McCarran Airport; why the Monorail will likely never go to McCarran Airport; how Clark County financed the CC-2015 Bruce Woodbury Beltway, and why we see the concept of "complete streets" applied more in the City of Las Vegas and the City of Henderson than in Clark County. Snow discusses his work under Clark County director of aviation Broadbent as assistant director of aviation for planning at McCarran International Airport; his career as general manager of the Regional Transportation Commission, where he worked with Clark County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury, and his three years as city manager for the City of Henderson. In speaking of all three roles, Snow draws upon his knowledge of transportation as it grew and was shaped by his previous positions. And in all three roles, Snow exemplifies the lesson Broadbent impressed upon him early in his airport career: "[Y]ou've got to be able to bury the hatchet and build bridges.
Charlotte Hill's arrival in Las Vegas was not an instant love affair. She had grown up in Cincinnati, Ohio, and in comparison Las Vegas "was the worst place I had ever been." The year was 1952. He husband had taken a job with the Sands casino. Over the next six decades Charlotte would become an honored volunteer and community activist. Her first organization was the Brownies as a mother and soon was involved with the Frontier Girl Scout Council, about which she shares a delightful story about cookie sales. In 1962, she was a charter member of the Home of the Good Shepherd. In 1972, she founded the Friends of Channel 10 and became innovative and active in fundraising for public broadcasting. By 1974, she was the United Way's first woman campaign chairperson, a quite successful one who helped exceed the one-million dollar goal during economically difficult times. Her other milestones included serving on Economic Opportunity Board, board of Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Vegas, as president of the Community College of southern Nevada Foundation and most recently being named to the Nevada State Board of Education. Charlotte's community efforts have made a difference in countless people's lives. She has been acknowledged numerous times, but counts the Alexis de Tocqueville Award from United Way of America as a crowning achievement. In addition to her volunteer work, she is a fashion consultant with the Carlisle Collection.
Christopher “Chris” Maestas (1965-2009) was an engaged educator and leader within the Chicano, Latinx, and Henderson communities. As he traced back his Latinx heritage, he explored his father’s hometown in Llaves, New Mexico, where he and his family were discriminated for their non-white demeanor; and his mother’s paternal Spanish roots; his grandfather came to work in Henderson, Nevada at the Basic Magnesium Industrial (BMI) plants during World War II. The Chicano and Spanish cultures played a significant part in defining his role within the community. For Chris, Chicanos were “people that lived in the southwestern United States particularly southern Colorado, New Mexico and northern Arizona that were originally Mexican citizens before the treaty (Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo) was signed and then after the treaty was signed they became Americans.” In this interview, he dives into the difference between Chicano and Spanish cuisine and gives his own tips on how to make Spanish chile relleno. Chris discussed what life was like in Henderson living in Henderson Camp when his grandfather emigrated from Spain in 1943. He described the evolution of the Henderson community in the 50s through his parents’ experiences living in the Hispanic communities of Victory Village and Carver Park. During his childhood in the early 70s, Chris recalled living in Henderson when it was known as Basic and living in a small town-site house. One of his most special recollections was from the summer of 1980, when his family purchased their first set of air-conditioning units. As a passionate teacher and 1984 alumnus from Basic High School, he advocated student engagement as Student Council Advisor. Chris was also an active member of the St. Peter the Apostle, Catholic Church, Knights of the Columbus group and LUPE (Latinos United for Perfect Equality) Club. The LUPE club promoted equality for the Hispanic community and family values. Chris described their Saturday picnics at BMI Park and the annual Henderson Industrial Days festival.
Oral history interview with Jay Pleggenkuhle and Daniel Perez conducted by Claytee D. White on July 18, 2018 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Jay and Daniel describe their business partnership in a landscaping venture. After the tragic event on October 1, 2017, the pair wanted to do something for the city of Las Vegas, Nevada. Perez suggested that Pleggenkuhle call officials at the City of Las Vegas and propose a healing garden. The City offered a site and the work began, and within 72 hours, a design materialized, volunteers appeared, materials arrived, and the work began. On Friday, the official dedication was held. Pleggenkuhle and Perez share stories of the garden's construction, the generosity of the human spirit, love, and giving back as a city mourns. The two recall that the main oak tree, the Tree of Life, centers the garden and the 58 smaller trees anchor the garden.