June '10 Nevada Government—Governor Jim Gibbons Column

Nevada ARRA Director To Remain In Present Position

June 24, 2010 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons has accepted the recommendation of Nevada ARRA Director Charles Harvey to have Mr. Harvey remain in his present position. Harvey had recently accepted a new position as Executive Director of the Nevada Office of Veterans Services. Please see attached letter from Mr. Harvey to Governor Gibbons’ Chief of Staff Robin Reedy.

Selection of a new Executive Director for the Nevada Office of Veterans Services will be made in the near future.

Letter from Nevada ARRA Director Charles Harvey to Chief of Staff (pdf)

Governor Reappoints Ogilvie To Colorado River Commission

June 24, 2010 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons announced the reappointment of George Ogilvie III to the Colorado River Commission. Ogilvie was first appointed to the Commission in 2007. Ogilvie is a native Nevadan and is managing partner of the Las Vegas office of the law firm McDonald Carano Wilson.

“George Ogilvie has a long history of advocacy for the people of Nevada,” Governor Gibbons said, “Mr. Ogilvie has done an outstanding job as Chairman of the Colorado River Commission and I am pleased he will be able to continue his work on behalf of all Nevadans.”

"Serving on the Colorado River Commission for the last three years has been an honor, and I greatly appreciate the confidence the Governor has demonstrated in reappointing me as Chairman." said Ogilvie. "I have the privilege of working with an incredibly talented and dedicated staff, whose work is so vital to the State of Nevada. In continuing my service as Chairman, I look forward to serving and working with our staff and the other Commission members on the energy and water issues that are ever-increasingly critical to southern Nevada’s future."

The Colorado River Commission (CRC) acquires, manages and protects Nevada’s water and hydroelectric power resources from the Colorado River. Six other states and the federal government share the management of the Colorado River Basin. The CRC is Nevada’s representative in dealings with those other states and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

Governor Announces Effort To Help Homeowners

June 23, 2010 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons is pleased to announce that the United States Treasury has completed its Participation Agreement with the State’s Nevada Affordable Housing Assistance Corporation (NAHAC). He also applauded the timely efforts of the Nevada Housing Division in assisting with NAHAC’s application.

Nevada continues battling both high unemployment and high foreclosure rates. Under the Participation Agreement, the NAHAC will bring more than $102-million into Nevada to assist homeowners facing foreclosures or experiencing trouble shoring up their mortgage situation. “I am proud of our Nevada Housing Division for providing guidance to the NAHAC in preparing its Business Plan for U.S. Treasury’s review and ultimate acceptance,” Governor Gibbons said, “Nevadans need these funds. We will make sure funds are distributed to qualified applicants as quickly as possible”.

The Governor noted that no direct funding from the U.S. Treasury program will flow through the State Housing Division. All funding for the program will flow through the non-profit NAHAC. The NAHAC business plan included three primary programs that the U.S. Treasury has signed off on for Nevada. Those programs consist of: (1) principal reduction for first mortgages to help qualified borrowers stay in homes; (2) second mortgage relief to assist qualified borrowers whose second lien is interfering with a first mortgage loan modification; and (3) short-sale acceleration to assist homeowners who can no longer reasonably expect to sustain ownership of their homes due to extended layoff periods or lack of meaningful near-term job prospects.

“While we applaud the U.S. Treasury’s initiative to help bring elements of its Hardest Hit Funding program to Nevada and we certainly welcome the $102 million, no one should expect that this amount of federal funding will resolve the mortgage crisis Nevada faces now and into the immediate future,” Governor Gibbons said. Testimony at public hearings indicated, for example, that the underwater problem (mortgages in excess of current home values) in Clark County alone stood at over $44 billion as of March, 2010.

Governor Gibbons is encouraging all banking institutions and loan servicing organizations holding Nevada home mortgages to quickly sign up with the NAHAC principal and second lien relief programs. The success of these programs will depend upon the banking industry stepping up and participating in these new programs to help stabilize our housing industry.

Governor Gibbons further challenged the NAHAC to “beat the deadline for readiness and begin processing qualified applicants prior to mid-August. Nevadan’s need relief now and any delays must be minimized.”
Borrowers can find information on the new program at www.NAHAC.org

Harvey Appointed To Oversee Veterans Services

Tetz to advocate for veterans in Washington, DC

June 18, 2010 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons today announced the appointment of Charles Harvey as Executive Director of the Nevada Office of Veterans Services. Harvey currently serves as Nevada’s American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) Director.

“Charles Harvey has served both Nevada and our Country admirably,” Gibbons said. “From his service in the United States Air Force to his dedication ensuring accountability and transparency in the efficient distribution of stimulus dollars in Nevada.”

Harvey joined the State of Nevada last September. He served in the United States Air Force from 1985 through 1990 as a manager of aircrew logistics and data analysis and was nominated for airman of the year. Prior to joining state government, Harvey spent 13 years in Clark County government, working his way up to Assistant Director of the Clark County Recorder’s office.

Governor Gibbons also announced that Executive Director of Veterans Services Tim Tetz has accepted a position as National Legislative Director for the American Legion in Washington, DC.

“Tim Tetz will be serving not only Nevada veterans, but all veterans honorably by focusing his advocacy efforts at the federal level,” Gibbons said, “Nevada’s loss will surely serve our Country’s veterans well.”

Tetz was appointed by Governor Guinn in 2006 and reappointed by Governor Gibbons in 2007. Tetz is a veteran of the United States Coast Guard and has been actively involved in Nevada’s veterans community for many years, including serving as Department of Nevada Commander of the American Legion in 2003.

The transition between Directors will occur during late July. Director Harvey will not leave the ARRA office until the July ARRA quarterly reporting period has been completed.

The Nevada Office of Veterans Services was established pursuant to NRS 417 to provide assistance and services to Nevada’s 339,000 veterans, their family members, and residents of Nevada serving in the Armed Forces of the United States. The Agency administers two State Veterans Memorial Cemeteries, the Nevada State Veterans Home, and a statewide Veterans Service Officer program. To learn more, please visit veterans.nv.gov.