Las Vegas city mayor urges more Asian representation

LAS VEGAS—City Mayor Carolyn Goodman has urged local Asian-Americans in the city to register and vote in the coming elections.

At the same time, she asked leaders in the community to seek elective office in order to give the group a voice in the city.

“The most important thing is have representation and have a voice. Let’s get everybody out to vote,” she said at the Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce (ACC) luncheon last March 22.

“It’s very important to have a voice so (the city) will understand what it is that the Asian

community would like to see develop,” she added at the event held at Gold Coast Hotel.

Asian-Americans currently make up some 10 per cent of the state population. This group posted the fastest growth in the state, according to the US Census Bureau.

The sharp increase in the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Nevada buoyed the growth of the state’s total population, figures also showed.

Nevada posted the fastest growth among the US states in the past 10 years. Data from the US Census Bureau showed the state’s population is now at 2.76 million, a 35 per cent growth from the last count in 2000.

Of the state’s total population, some 242,916 are Asians. This sub group registered the fastest growth at 116.5 per cent, even outpacing the Hispanic population growth of 81.9 per cent, Census Bureau records showed.

After the 2010 Census, Nevada underwent a redistricting to ensure that each representative has roughly the same number of constituents. The Census also resulted in an additional seat in Congress for the state.

At the ACC luncheon, Goodman urged members of the Asian community to consider seeking elective office in order to ensure that the group has a hand at deciding on issues affecting their community.

“The Asian community in this city has been remarkable leaders and role models for our community,” Goodman said at the luncheon.

“My hope is as we continue to grow, and we continue to build on our rich heritage, we all act as one and are all supportive of each other,” she also said. Dymphna Calica-La Putt and Robert Macabagdal/AJPress