One finger salute

The Las Vegas Review-Journal ^ | Monday, June 10, 2002 | editorial

[Willie Green]

For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.

A curious thing happened at last Wednesday's City Council meeting.

The seven council members unanimously agreed to appoint George Assad to fill a vacant Municipal Court seat. There was no discussion -- nor did Mayor Oscar Goodman offer any explanation as to why he nominated Mr. Assad, a former county deputy district attorney, for the post over almost a dozen other candidates.

Not a word.

Now, Mr. Assad -- who lost an election for a judgeship last year -- may indeed eventually distinguish himself on the bench and prove a grand selection. But are we to believe that council members acted on some sort of psychic vibe, that they were able to reach a consensus on the matter through mind reading?

No, what we have here is a blatant violation of the open meeting law, which exists to ensure that public bodies operate and deliberate in front of the taxpayers. Next time the mayor or somebody else on the council complains about public cynicism eroding our political institutions, try not to laugh.

The attorney general should investigate.

[WIMom]

      

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[ruoflaw]

are you sure that the political party of the vacant seat didn't pick their own representitive? For instance, say a Republican council person cannot finish their term for health or whatever reason....then the local Republican Central Committee asks for candidates and those candidates are given a chance to address the central committee as to why they would like to be appointed...then there is a vote by the Republican Central Committee...(these meetings are public too or they are illegal)...a vote is taken and tallied and the person with the most votes is appointed to that seat...the council may then vote to accept the new member. Is it all that different there?

[martin_fierro]

Hey, Willie! Did you stop walking the 'Burgh beat?

<|:)~

[Willie Green]

No, I stll check the Tribune-Review and the Post-Gazette on a daily basis.
Just hit a little stretch where (IMHO) not much has appeared on those sites worthy of Freeper attention.

[JudyB1938]

I have been in this town since 1969. Oscar Goodman, in my opinion, is the only honest and capable mayor Las Vegas has had in that entire time frame. I have no idea what's going on in what you're bringing up, but I trust Goodman. He's one of the FEW politicians who can be trusted. But then, he's NOT a politician. He's somebody who thought he could do a better job than the professional politicians ... and he has. You sure don't hear about any more failed projects or people being cheated out of their property any more.