He touted the benefits of drinking gin to a fourth-grade class, recommended that graffiti taggers have their thumbs cut off and suggested that brothels would be one solution to revitalizing a run-down Fremont Street.
That’s our quirky Oscar Goodman, outgoing mayor of Las Vegas.
But there also is the wise, lawyerly hizzonor, who played a major role in securing 61 acres of railroad property for Union Park, a high-rise downtown residential and business project, and supported downtown cultural projects such as an arts district.
A stickler for parliamentary procedure, Goodman has run a tight ship at televised City Council meetings, moving them along at a brisk pace by limiting to just a few minutes the once-voluminous commentaries by gadflies and others.
During his three terms as mayor, Goodman has left an indelible mark on the city, which has begun what he called the “Manhattanization” of downtown with the erection of tall buildings that better use limited prime real estate.
And his tough policies against the urban blight of chronic homelessness drew criticism from social groups, but praise from area homeowners.
Illustrator Chris Morris has chronicled Goodman's 12-year tenure as mayor of Las Vegas. Click through 10 of his favorites below:
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Photo by Chris MorrisTwo sides of Oscar Goodman
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman's two sides -- happy, and not so much. Chris Morris drew this illustration in May 2008.
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Photo by Chris MorrisOscar and City Attorney Brad Jerbic
During his many years as Las Vegas’ city attorney, Brad Jerbic waged a number of battles royal on behalf of the city. Read the story Chris Morris illustrated in July 2009.
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Photo by Chris MorrisCarolyn has a different style ... kind of
Mayor-elect Carolyn Goodman has a different style from her husband, Oscar. But many moves in her campaign's playbook were the same. Read the story Chris Morris illustrated in February 2011.
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Photo by Chris MorrisPassing the torch
As Carolyn easily slid to a victory in the mayor's race against foe Chris Giunchigliani, the Sun looked at the reasons why she won. Chris Morris illustrated the passing of the ceremonial torch ... errr, martini glass.
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Photo by Chris MorrisOscar's two faces
For the past 12 years, Oscar Goodman has marketed himself as “the happiest mayor in the universe.” Turns out, he’s not so happy when he doesn’t get his way, which is rare. As Carolyn Goodman prepared to take the reins on July 5, the Sun took look at Goodman’s legacy, the good and the bad. Illustration by Chris Morris.
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Photo by Chris MorrisOscar Flintstone
“I am the only person in City Hall who does not have a computer,” Oscar Goodman boasted on the eve of the June 2011 election his wife, Carolyn, easily won. Chris Morris illustrated Goodman's social media skills, which could be compared to those of Fred Flintstone.
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Photo by Chris MorrisA pen-and-ink portrait
Chris Morris drew this in September 2008, when Oscar Goodman was contemplating a possible run for governor after his term as Las Vegas mayor was up. Read the archive story here.
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Photo by Chris MorrisVEGAS INC portrait
Oscar Goodman, as illustrated for Sun sister publication VEGAS INC in April 2011.
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Photo by Chris MorrisGood times, no matter what
Let the good times roll. Please. Chris Morris illustrates Oscar Goodman's optimism as he discusses the economy in April 2009.
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Photo by Chris MorrisA tale of two mayors
Popular in their cities, could Reno Mayor Bob Cashell or Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman be governor? The Sun analyzed this question in July 2009. Chris Morris illustrated the two mayors.
— By illustrator Chris Morris and former Sun reporter Ed Koch.
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