Politics
The Week
Into the Sunset
June 9th, 2011
Leave it to the state to do this to Oscar Goodman. The day before Las Vegas voters decided who would step into his mayoral shadow, the Legislature killed off his latest chances to land a stadium for the Valley. It did, however, tell him that he could once again smoke while eating. Though any plans he had to smoke and eat while texting in a moving car will have to be set aside. Nevada libertarianism only goes so far. Read more »
Politics
Survival, Nevada Style
June 9th, 2011
The irony was evident: Gov. Brian Sandoval vetoed a bill allowing students who failed one of the four portions of the Nevada High School Proficiency Exam to graduate. But Sandoval’s getting high marks in the media for a performance that was below average at best. Read more »
Seven Questions
Betsy Fretwell
Behind the great and powerful Oscar, the city manager quietly keeps the town running
June 9th, 2011
We’ve learned a lot about the job of mayor lately. But what about city manager, the job that political pundits say is more powerful, just less well known? While the mayor gives the speeches and gets the photo ops, the city manager is the driving force behind the scenes, from managing a $1.5 billion budget to guiding the city’s 2,600 full-time employees. Most interesting at the moment, given the transition of power this month, is the city manager’s implementation of the vision of the mayor and the City Council. Read more »
The Week
The City Decides
June 2nd, 2011
A person in the know politically, who shall remain nameless, neatly summed up the Las Vegas mayor’s race the other day by telling me he was glad he lived outside city limits, because he’d have a hard time voting for either candidate come Election Day on June 7. Given that Carolyn Goodman and Chris Giunchigliani could not be more different, that may seem a bit of a head-scratcher. But it makes perfect sense if you’ve been paying attention. Read more »
Seven Questions
Frank Hawkins
The former Raider and councilman talks about the black community’s biggest issue, political ambitions and the day he got his ring
June 2nd, 2011
Frank Hawkins has always been someone looked upon to pick up the tough yardage. After graduating from Western High School in 1977, Hawkins played football at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he remains the school’s all-time leading rusher with 5,333 yards. He was selected in the 1981 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders, with whom he played seven seasons and won a Super Bowl ring in 1984. After retiring from the NFL, Hawkins ran for the Las Vegas City Council in 1991 and became the first African-American to be elected to public office in city history. Read more »
Politics
The Irony and the Ecstasy
May 26th, 2011
Nevada is known for tourism and mining, but it may be the world’s leading irony producer. Consider the Senate Ethics Committee’s report on former Sen. John Ensign. If you haven’t read it, you should, but be prepared to feel the need for a bath. Ensign’s actions seem to have verged on stalking, combined with teenage-style lovesickness (apologies to teenagers) and threats and intimidation. Read more »
Politics
The Progressive
Chris Giunchigliani isn’t sold on the Goodman regime. And she’s confident that she’s about to end it.
April 28th, 2011
Chris Giunchigliani is 10 minutes late for our interview, and she’s not about to waste time apologizing. “I took one more phone call,” she says, striding into the Clark County Government Center’s nearly empty cafeteria, and she leaves it at that. It’s early on a Monday morning; Giunchigliani’s hair is up high and perfect, her business suit sensible and crisp. She’s currently a Clark County commissioner, and she’s hoping to be elected the next mayor of Las Vegas on June 7, so her plate’s a little full—and if that means running late to an interview, so be it. Read more »
Politics
Advantage Heller? Not So Fast
April 28th, 2011
Since John Ensign’s recent announcement that he will leave the U.S. Senate on May 3, analysts have made two assumptions. First, that Gov. Brian Sandoval will appoint Republican Rep. Dean Heller to replace Ensign. Second, that the appointment would give Heller an edge in his expected 2012 Senate race against Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley. Read more »
Politics
Whose back are you scratching?
April 28th, 2011
A state legislator who worked for a homeowners association introduced bills related to HOAs. The Gaming Commission chair votes on an issue involving the law firm for which he serves as counsel. Meanwhile, commentators froth about conflicts of interest. They’re right, of course. But, well, welcome to Nevada. Read more »
