Columnist Jeff German: Miller to name panel to assist federal gaming commission

Thursday, March 12, 1998 | 10:41 a.m.

MINDFUL OF WHAT happened in Atlantic City, N.J., Nevada officials aren't taking any chances when the National Gambling Impact Study Commission comes to Las Vegas this year.

Gov. Bob Miller has informed Chairwoman Kay James he's creating a special committee of prominent Nevadans to assist the nine-member panel in its fact-finding mission here Nov. 10-11.

Miller also has volunteered to serve as the commission's chief Nevada contact as it plans the trip.

"I offer the resources of my office to facilitate your visit and to assure that the commissioners have full opportunity for a fair and comprehensive view of all aspects of the Nevada gaming industry and the state's experience with it," Miller wrote.

The governor's letter was prompted by casino lobbyists looking to make sure the state won't be caught short when it's time to tell the Las Vegas story.

In January, concerns arose that the federal commission's staff had stacked the deck against Atlantic City during the panel's first hearing on the road.

But by the end of two days of testimony, it was the anti-gaming forces who did most of the complaining after New Jersey officials were permitted to paint a rosy picture of that state's dealings with the casino industry.

Commissioner James Dobson, a leading member of the Christian right, which is spearheading the anti-gambling movement, charged that not enough negative aspects of gaming surfaced in Atlantic City.

A week after the hearing, Dobson, a conservative radio talk show host from Denver, accused the casino industry of using its clout to influence the hearing.

But industry representatives countered they merely were responding to Dobson's efforts to dictate the Atlantic City agenda.

Next week, the federal panel meets in Boston to examine state lotteries and Indian gaming, and once more pro- and anti-gaming forces are sparring over the agenda.

Casino insiders believe Dobson's fingerprints are all over the witness list.

Several of the listed speakers, including anti-gaming guru Robert Goodman, were mentioned in a media advisory Dobson sent out last week touting the downside of lotteries.

With Dobson on the panel, the casino industry has reason to remain vigilant.

Miller is sending three of his top aides -- Chief of Staff Jim Mulhall, Press Secretary Richard Urey and Las Vegas office manager Katherine Cortez -- to Boston next week to observe the federal commission in action.

The governor, however, apparently is in no hurry to name his special committee members. The industry wants to figure out its gameplan before the panel is selected.

From the looks of it, the committee will be a big one.

Miller indicated in his letter he expects to name federal, state and local officials to the panel, as well as clergy, minorities, educators, gaming regulators, business people, tourism leaders, casino executives, law enforcement officials and those who deal with gambling disorders.

That covers just about everyone.

Everyone, it appears, will be needed to ensure the federal commission gets an objective look at Las Vegas.

Those who think Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren is out of this world soon will have evidence to back up their claim.

Hammargren is co-hosting an outer space theme party March 22 at his "cosmic" Las Vegas home for Space Explorers of Nevada, an educational program for children.

Invitations have gone out to "all earthlings" to participate in the interplanetary experience from 1-4 p.m.

For $25-$50, partygoers can have their picture taken with ex-Astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Gordon Cooper and an array of "space creatures."

A "Martian band" will be on hand, and items from "around the galaxy" will be sold at a silent auction.

And we owe it all to the man who could be our next governor. Or should we say commander of the Starship Nevada?

Beam me up, Lonnie.