McDonald new mayor pro tem; part of council position shuffle

Denise Cardinal

Tuesday, July 15, 1997 | 9:10 a.m.

In an unusual move, 10-year Las Vegas City Councilman Arnie Adamsen was replaced by Councilman Michael McDonald as mayor pro tem.

The change was approved unanimously at Monday's council meeting, where other positions held by council members were shuffled.

Mayor Jan Laverty Jones contends the move wasn't politically motivated. Rather, she said she wanted the position of mayor pro tem to rotate.

"It's just my feeling that the position should rotate so every member can understand what it's like to run a meeting," she said. "Adamsen was an excellent mayor pro tem."

Adamsen had been mayor pro tem for 3 1/2 years. Historically, the position has been held continuously by the senior council member.

"They wanted to rotate the positions." Adamsen said.

McDonald, a councilman for only two years, said he is grateful for the opportunity.

"It's nice having the board vote unanimously," McDonald said. "It shows Arnie has a lot of confidence in me. Watching the leadership of the council, I'm not nervous. This is a united board."

Both Adamsen and McDonald have indicted interest in running for mayor.

The council also changed who sits on which city and regional boards:

* McDonald on the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority board, replacing Adamsen.

* Adamsen on the Consolidations "Efficiency" Committee, replacing former Councilman Matthew Callister.

* Larry Brown on the Clark County Clearinghouse Council, replacing Callister.

* Adamsen on the Greater Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce board, joining Jones.

* Adamsen on the Joint Program Coordination Committee, replacing Callister.

* Gary Reese on the Metro Police Fiscal Affairs Committee, replacing Callister.

* Brown on the Regional Flood Control District board, replacing Callister.

* Brown on the Regional Transportation Committee, replacing Callister.

* Reese on the Regional Jail Commission, replacing Callister.

* Brown on the Southern Nevada Water Authority board, replacing Jones.

* Jones on the Yucca Mountain Nuclear board, replacing Callister.

ote "It's just my feeling that the position should rotate so every member can understand what it's like to run a meeting. Adamsen was an excellent mayor pro tem." Mayor Jan Laverty Jones