Las Vegas Mayor David Romero
As Mayor, I have the privilege of seeing both the best and the most challenging parts of our city each day. I witness the hard work and dedication of volunteers, small business owners, teachers, public employees, and city staff who do all they can to make Las Vegas a better place. I also see the real struggles we face—tight budgets, aging infrastructure, and the daily demands of managing city services.
Being part of a small town means experiencing both the good and the difficult. But through it all, one thing is clear: our people care deeply about this community. That is what makes us strong. That is the story we should be telling.
In small towns like ours, social media plays a powerful role in shaping our public image. What we post and share online creates a portrait of our city. And that image does not stop at the city limits—it travels. People outside our community are watching, and many of them are making decisions based on what they see. This includes families thinking about moving here, tourists planning their next visit, and businesses and developers exploring where to invest. Before making any commitments, many of them take a simple step: they scroll through social media. They check Facebook groups, community pages, and comment sections to get a sense of the town. If the tone they encounter is mostly negative, hostile, or divided, they may decide to look elsewhere.
Even when we have the right location, workforce, and opportunities, the tone of our public dialogue can influence how others view us. I’ve heard this directly from businesses that chose not to invest in Las Vegas. We have lost opportunities because of it, and it is a hard truth to explain when people ask why new jobs and businesses are not coming to town. We all want our city to grow. We want more jobs, more services, and more opportunities for our families. But we cannot expect those things to come if the online environment feels unwelcoming.
This is not about avoiding criticism. Every community has its share of challenges, and we should be able to speak honestly about what needs to improve. How we express these concerns matters. Before posting a complaint or calling someone out online, I encourage you to consider another approach. Talk directly to the business or individual involved. If it is a city issue, call City Hall. More often than not, problems can be resolved faster and more respectfully through conversation than through online posts that may escalate conflict.
We can hold each other accountable while still showing respect, fairness, and pride in our community. Negative posts may feel harmless, but they can have lasting effects. They influence how others see us—and how we see ourselves.
At the same time, we should take the opportunity to highlight the good. I encourage everyone to share the positive moments you experience in our community. Give shout-outs to the people who go above and beyond—our city workers in the field, our office staff, our teachers, our business owners, and our neighbors. These are the people who keep our city running, and they deserve to be recognized. When we take pride in our city and support one another, we strengthen the fabric of our community. If you’ve had a great experience, talk about it. If you love living here, let people know. Positive stories are just as important as constructive criticism.
We are also working hard to improve transparency and public communication. We know how important it is for residents to be informed and involved. That is why we are expanding our efforts to share updates and information regularly. I encourage you to visit our city website at www.lasvegasnm.gov and follow the Las Vegas City Government Facebook page to stay informed.
There is a lot happening in Las Vegas—both good and bad. We face serious challenges, and we need thoughtful solutions. But with many moving parts and a shared commitment, we can make meaningful progress together. If you have concerns, let’s talk. If you have ideas, bring them forward. And if you have something positive to share, now is the time. Let’s be thoughtful about how we show up online, because the image we create there reflects who we are and who we want to become.
