North Las Vegas panel honors volunteers, names Walter Lazcano veteran of the year and recognizes community partners

The North Las Vegas Veterans Community Commission used its Feb. 26 meeting to recognize volunteers, nonprofit partners and local veteran leaders.

Commissioners presented multiple monthly and annual awards, naming Walter Lazcano veteran of the year for his role in shaping the city’s veteran services and leadership of the Veterans and Community Resource Center. The commission cited Lazcano’s role in opening the center and his long nonprofit leadership; commissioners praised his stewardship and community impact.

Sue Phelps, publisher of Veteran Reporter News, received the commission’s Veteran Supporter of the Year award. Phelps described buying the newspaper (formerly Veteran Reporters) in 2013 and expanding it to a biweekly paper with roughly 12,000 printed copies distributed across Southern Nevada and beyond. She said the paper is her ‘‘mission and my heart’’ and noted recent recognition by the Nevada Department of Veterans Services.

Bob Fishman, state coordinator for AARP Foundation Tax‑Aide, gave a short presentation on free tax‑preparation services for veterans provided at the Veterans Community Resource Center. Fishman said Tax‑Aide volunteers prepare thousands of returns nationwide (about 1.2 million returns last year) and roughly 10,000 in Nevada; the program is volunteer driven and funded by IRS grants to the program’s headquarters.

Wilson Ramos, speaking for staff, thanked attendees and underscored the Resource Center’s role coordinating community programs and helping organizations get on the calendar to provide services. Ramos encouraged organizations with resources to contact the center.

There were no formal commission votes tied to the recognitions; awards were presented as part of the agenda. The meeting continued with an extensive public forum in which local groups described events and volunteer opportunities.