He represents the Lollipop League — and the city

Diana Sahagun

Thursday, June 22, 2000 | 11:41 a.m.

North Las Vegas Mayor Michael Montandon was a little late for Wednesday's council meeting as he took on the role of mayor for a much smaller city -- Munchkin Land.

Montandon donned knickers and a felt hat to follow the yellow brick road to the Community College of Southern Nevada's Cheyenne campus to perform in the "Wizard of Oz," which runs through Friday.

James Seastrand of Helping Hands of North Las Vegas, a nonprofit group that provides assistance to the elderly and needy, organized the play.

The volunteer group asked government officials from the Las Vegas Valley to purchase $100 worth of tickets, which were then donated to local charities. In all, 2,500 tickets were given away to charities.

Mike Winne, president of the group, said $6,000 was raised and will go toward the group's outreach in North Las Vegas.

During Wednesday's performance, Montandon gave Dorothy (played by Alexandria Espinoza) the key to Munchkin Land, thanking her for squashing the Wicked Witch of the East.

He then raced back to the council meeting in time for the new business portion of the agenda, proving there's no place like City Hall.