North Las Vegas briefs for June 8, 2000

Thursday, June 8, 2000 | 12:01 p.m.

Fire captain not promoted

A North Las Vegas Fire Department captain has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the department and the city, claiming he was passed over for promotion because he is Hispanic.

Lenny Mayorga filed the complaint Wednesday in U.S. District Court.

Mayorga claims he was denied a promotion to the position of division chief in 1998 because of his race. He was disciplined several months later, the lawsuit alleges, when he filed a complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Mayorga is also seeking a retroactive promotion to the chief's position and back pay. He has worked at the fire department since 1995.

City officials could not be immediately reached for comment.

Contract provides higher salary

Incoming North Las Vegas City Manager Kurt Fritsch has negotiated an employment contract that gives him a raise over his two predecessors.

Fritsch, who has been assistant city manager since December, will earn $137,500 annually in his two-year contract, which begins July 13.

Former city manager Pat Importuna resigned one month after he received a $10,000 raise, bringing his annual salary to $135,000.

The prior city manager, Linda Hinson, who left the job in 1998 after the council voted 4-1 not to renew her contract, was earning $121,178 annually.

Councilwoman Stephanie Smith voted against the contract, saying the salary was just too much.

"There are still some things that are not resolved in this contract," she said. "This is too expensive for the city, and I think that we are doing a disservice to the community by signing this without further discussion."

Councilman John Rhodes also voted against the contract, stating he wanted more time to discuss issues that had not been resolved.

The council made several appointments

to various boards: Timothy Clemens was appointed to the civil service board of trustees; Quintin Jordan and Linda Milton to the citizens advisory Committee Board and Jo Cato to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.