Top county official may join Hughes

Adrienne Packer

Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1999 | 11:32 a.m.

If the trend of 1999 continues, Clark County might consider designating funds in its budget for going-away bashes.

Parties for two of Clark County's administrators are planned for later this month, and a third now may follow.

Clark County Director of Communications Tom Warden confirmed Monday that he is a top candidate for a public relations and marketing job for the Howard Hughes Corporation.

"It's a great opportunity to work for one of the leading corporations in the valley," Warden said. "But I've been at the county almost three years and it would be hard to leave. It's been a great experience."

The last two months haven't been such a great experience for Clark County Manager Dale Askew. He had already scrambled to fill two positions in a year that will include municipal elections and preparations for the much-publicized Y2K computer transition.

Assistant County Manager Bonnie Rinaldi, who wants to spend more time with her family, announced her departure in January. She was replaced by Planning Director Richard Holmes, who was replaced by his assistant John Schlegel.

Earlier this month, Registrar of Voters Kathryn Ferguson stunned the county with the news she accepted the same position in California's Santa Clara County. The appointment of her assistant Larry Lomax as her successor will go before the County Commission for approval March 1.

"Things like this come in three's. I had to ask them if I'm the problem, and they all assured me I'm not," Askew said, half-jokingly. "These are career choices they're making, and the timing is pure coincidental."

If Warden takes the job with Howard Hughes, his top assistant, Hilarie Grey, likely will act as interim communications director.

Before joining the county, Warden, 48, worked at KLAS Channel 8 for seven years and was awarded Nevada's first Emmy from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Warden moved to Las Vegas in 1989 from Boston, where he worked for the television program "Evening Magazine." He was also the host of a daily talk show "Good Morning Palm Beaches" and the "PM Magazine" show in Buffalo, N.Y.

Warden said the opportunity with Howard Hughes came up suddenly, and while it would be a difficult decision for him to make, he likely will take the job if it is offered to him.