Shackleford finds new city job

Erin Neff

Thursday, March 18, 1999 | 11:30 a.m.

Although both his job and department were eliminated, former General Services Director Ralph Shackelford has landed on his feet in another Las Vegas city position.

After weeks of negotiations and public protest about the city reorganization plan, Shackelford has agreed to take an administrative position in the Las Vegas Fire Department.

Shackelford's starting date and pay for his new position are still being negotiated, Human Resources Director Rick Anderson said.

"We've been working and talking with him," Anderson said. "He'll be working with the chief directly and handling some of the growth issues."

Shackelford, the city's only black department head, was told in early February that General Services would be eliminated under City Manager Virginia Valentine's reorganization plan.

Initially, Valentine asked the City Council to approve the plan and to ratify the temporary appointment of Finance Director Mark Vincent to head the department until it was officially disbanded by city ordinance.

That move prompted representatives of the black community to protest the reorganization plan, saying it looked as if Shackelford was singled out.

Shackelford's job was the only director's position eliminated in the reorganization. Four other positions, which were vacant at the time, were also killed.

The Audit Oversight Committee on Friday will review a list of 20 candidates for the city's vacant auditor position. All 20 have met the city's minimum requirements for the job -- 10 years of auditing experience and designation as a certified public accountant or certified internal auditor.

The city auditor's position has been vacant since March 1998 when Susan Toohey was fired without explanation. She later filed a $2.8 million wrongful termination lawsuit.

On Tuesday, city officials met with a candidate to replace outgoing planning director Theresa O'Donnell, who is becoming planning director in Arlington, Texas.

Tim Chow, the former planner for Honolulu County, Hawaii, and current director of community development in Nevada County, Calif., is considered a finalist.