Columnist Jeff German: Gates takes after Adelson and Nevada Republicans

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 1997 | 9:47 a.m.

COUNTY COMMISSION Chairwoman Yvonne Atkinson Gates has revived a conflict between Democrats and Republican casino mogul Sheldon Adelson.

In a talk before the annual state AFL-CIO convention Monday, Gates voiced concerns about speculation that Adelson, chairman of Las Vegas Sands Inc., was pouring money into the Nevada Republican Party to help elect anti-labor candidates.

Gates did not name Adelson in her talk, but she said, "I'm sure I don't have to say who we're talking about."

She acknowledged afterward that she was referring to the Sands boss, who is credited with helping elect Republican County Commissioner Lance Malone last year.

Gates said she was told that Adelson wanted to expand his involvement with the GOP next year.

"To do that and try to take over the County Commission concerns me a lot," Gates said, adding that three commissioners, two of them Democrats, are up for re-election in 1998.

Earlier this month, the Culinary Union, at odds with Adelson over his plans for a $1.8 million megaresort on the site of the old Sands hotel-casino, sent letters to county and state leaders warning about the ramifications of Adelson's reported involvement with the GOP.

In letters to Gates and other Democrats, Glen Arnodo, the union's political action director, said: "There certainly is no question that the Culinary Union's 45,000 members and their families will look closely to see which candidates, if any, are willing to carry Sheldon Adelson's anti-union banner."

Arnodo modified the letter to Republican officeholders.

"A Nevada Republican Party alliance with Sheldon Adelson based on his anti-union ideology will certainly hurt Republican candidates who have a sincere desire to appeal for a broader base of support inclusive of union members and Nevada workers," he wrote.

Arnodo was referring primarily to Republican businessman Kenny Guinn, who's seeking labor's support in his 1998 bid for governor.

Nevada GOP boss John Mason, meanwhile, denied the GOP is in cahoots with Adelson, charging that Gates was off base in her accusations.

"I think she's spouting a union line that has been spoon-fed to her," Mason said. "I don't think there's any basis whatsoever for that kind of speculation."

Adelson accused Gates of making irresponsible comments.

"Any contributions we make are subject to disclosure," he said. "It seems to me that if she or any other politician wants to make statements about what different citizens do, then they should have some greater evidentiary presentations to make than simply making statements not backed up by hard facts."

Adelson also charged that the Culinary Union is trying to kill his Venetian resort.

"The union is carrying on a scorched-earth policy," Adelson said. "They're carrying on an intense campaign of intimidation and obstruction. They're saying, 'Let's obstruct the project so that we can put enough pressure on the owner-developer so that he'll sign with us just to get us off his back.' I think that's bad for the community, and it's bad for the workers."

Adelson said he never will sit down and talk to the union as long it employs these tactics.

Responded Culinary Staff Director D. Taylor:

"It has been proven well before Mr. Adelson came to town, while he's in town and probably well after he leaves town that labor-management cooperation works. We have a track record, and we're proud of our track record."

And the fight continues.

Was it a slip of the tongue?

That's what some are saying.

Gates drew a couple of snickers at the AFL-CIO convention when she compared herself to the late Princess Diana while boasting of her close ties to the Culinary Union.

"You know they're saying right now that Princess Diana is the people's princess," Gates said. "Well, I see myself as the union's princess because I have been working very hard to make sure that all of the people receive their due respect."

Gates insisted afterward that she made the remark in jest in response to critics who have called her the "Queen of Clark County."

The conventioneers, however, weren't laughing.