Malone says put Askew issue to rest

Adrienne Packer

Wednesday, Aug. 18, 1999 | 11:22 a.m.

When Clark County Commissioners Dario Herrera and Erin Kenny explained the reasoning behind their wishes to oust the county manager, the third board member reportedly behind the effort quietly left town.

Commissioner Lance Malone returned late Monday and emerged Tuesday with little to say about the attempted coup that rattled the board.

"We have beaten this horse to death now," Malone said.

Malone refused to say whether he supported comments made by both Herrera and Kenny about Askew's lack of energy, failure to communicate and inability to keep top administrators at the county.

If he did back his colleagues, his views have since changed.

"I have no problem working with Mr. Askew," Malone said Tuesday, a day after Askew made it clear he will stay at the county. "The point of the matter is he's staying."

Malone said he believes Askew could communicate better with commissioners, which Askew has promised to do. Malone also said it was unfortunate board members' concerns were aired while Askew was on vacation.

"There's a certain way to do this," Malone said. "But now it's time to move forward."

Herrera and Kenny spoke publicly about their concerns about Askew's leadership on Aug. 5, a day after the county manager left for a 10-day camping trip in the Utah mountains.

Askew took a daylong break from his vacation last Wednesday to return to Las Vegas and meet with commissioners face-to-face. Because Askew had the support of four board members, even if Malone favored ousting him the attempt would have failed.

After Askew resumed his vacation, the controversy was further fueled when Herrera told reporters the county manager promised to replace ineffective department heads.

Askew and commission Chairman Bruce Woodbury insisted no such assurances were made. On Tuesday, Herrera said his comments -- which were made during two independent newspaper interviews -- were misinterpreted.