Editorial: McDonald now is missing in action

Tuesday, May 9, 2000 | 9:39 a.m.

Michael McDonald has been a hard man to find at City Hall in recent months. As the Sun's Erin Neff reported last week, the Las Vegas city councilman has had spotty attendance at City Council meetings and also has failed to show up for important workshops, including those on the future of downtown, the city's strategic plan and the 2001 fiscal year budget.

McDonald says that his new job with Las Vegas Color Graphics has resulted in him missing these meetings. While the city council is considered a part-time job, with most members having other outside employment, this much time away from official business is inexcusable. The residents of his ward are getting shortchanged. McDonald contends that the city's staff can keep him apprised of what's going on, but there is no substitute for his presence at meetings, which is essential if the needs of his ward are to be adequately considered.

At one time McDonald was considered to be the most influential man in city government, eclipsing even Mayor Oscar Goodman. But a series of political missteps has eroded his power, including his bungled effort to have the city secede from the city-county Metro Police and his failure to get both of his candidates named to the City Council when it expanded. Politicians often have nine lives, however, and McDonald may once again regain his influence. Even if McDonald doesn't regain his old form, though, at the very least he should stop being the "invisible man" of Las Vegas politics and represent his ward by showing up for, and participating in, City Council meetings.