Silver State wines, dines officials

Erin Neff

Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000 | 11:10 a.m.

Local politicians got a chance to rub elbows with billionaire H. Wayne Huizenga this week during a private dinner thrown by Silver State Disposal Services President Steve Kalish.

Although those who attended say the conversation stuck to sports and Huizenga's career, some believe the wining and dining has a smell akin to the trash company's curbside pick-ups, especially in light of today's state Ethics Commission hearing.

Huizenga, the chairman of Silver State's parent company, Republic Services, was in town to speak at the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Preview 2000 event.

On Monday night he was the guest of honor at a dinner Kalish organized at Fiore restaurant in the Rio.

During that dinner Huizenga held court for Las Vegas Councilman Michael McDonald; County Commissioners Dario Herrera, Erin Kenny and Lance Malone; North Las Vegas Councilman John Rhodes; Assemblyman David Goldwater, D-Las Vegas; state Sen. Mark James, R-Las Vegas; and Chamber of Commerce President Bob Forbuss.

A simple dinner party normally draws little note, save for society or gossip columns. But Monday's party came just days before the Ethics Commission's hearing this afternoon about McDonald's ties to Silver State and whether they clouded his judgment to award a lucrative trash-hauling contract.

"I didn't hear any discussions whatsoever about any of that stuff," James said. "There was no discussion of business."

Even if Silver State's exclusive trash-hauling contracts in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson and Clark County weren't mentioned, some say a dinner like Monday's could cloud future decisions local governments make on Silver State items.

"I think it has a tremendous effect," said Steve Miller, a former Las Vegas councilman who filed the complaint the Ethics Commission was to consider today. "People in public office need to be very careful about perceptions."

Larry Spitler, a former state Assemblyman who chaired Clark County's Ethics Task Force, said the impact of a dinner like Monday's depends on the individual who attended.

"I've been to many breakfasts, lunches and events like that, and it never clouded my judgment," said Spitler, who served as an Assemblyman from 1991 to 1995. "I don't think that, unless it would be a very weak person, it would impact a person's judgment.

"But there are individuals in the public who think it does cloud judgment," Spitler said.

All of the politicians who attended Monday's dinner received campaign contributions from Silver State and its related entities.

McDonald received $36,800 for last year's re-election campaign. Malone has already received $9,900 for his upcoming re-election bid. Herrera got $30,300 and Kenny $15,900, both in 1998.

James received $3,500 and Goldwater $2,500, both in 1998.

McDonald has been criticized not for the campaign contributions but for failing to disclose his friendships with Kalish and Silver State attorney Robert Groesbeck. McDonald also dates Silver State employee Jennifer Simich.

Two members of the state Ethics Commission were to decide today whether enough evidence exists to place the issue before the full commission. At issue is whether McDonald should have disclosed those relationships prior to a July 1999 vote granting Silver State a contract extension through 2021.

"The only consideration that I've ever given (on a vote) is what kind of impact it will have on constituents," Herrera said. "I don't let personal relationships get in the way.

"I'm in the position where I have the opportunity to meet a lot of really impressive people," he added.

By all accounts Huizenga was impressive at Monday's dinner.

Herrera, who grew up in Miami, said he talked to Huizenga about his Miami Dolphins and the baseball team he used to own, the Florida Marlins.

"I was incredibly impressed," Herrera said. "Here's somebody who started his career on the back of a garbage truck and now has such an impressive business empire."

Huizenga is the former owner of the Blockbuster Video chain. In addition to the Dolphins and Republic Services, Huizenga owns the Florida Panthers pro hockey team and oversees AutoNation and Alamo and National car rental agencies.

"I thought he was an extremely impressive individual, and it was really a pleasure to meet him," said James, whose law firm represents Silver State on some environmental issues.

McDonald, Kenny, Malone and Rhodes did not return calls. Kalish could not be reached.