Political notebook for January 26, 2001

Erin Neff

Friday, Jan. 26, 2001 | 11:46 a.m.

Bryan: Lobbying not in his future

Former Sen. Richard Bryan knows at least two ways to spend his post-public life.

He already knows he'll teach part-time at UNLV. On Thursday, flanked by the partners of Lionel Sawyer & Collins, he announced his new role in that storied firm.

But what else is in store?

Not lobbying!

"The one thing I do not want to do is lobby," Bryan said Thursday during a press conference at the firm's downtown Las Vegas office. "We are fortunate to have Harvey Whittemore."

Bryan said he may provide advice to Whittemore, regarded as one of the state's leading lobbyists.

But after 12 years in the Senate, Bryan says he's still committed to serving the public and believes his new role on Lionel Sawyer & Collins' executive committee will help him form policies that will help the firm's younger lawyers give back to the community.

Bryan has also been approached about serving on a couple of corporate boards.

Bob Faiss, a senior partner at Lionel Sawyer & Collins who negotiated the deal with Bryan, said he has given Bryan leeway to explore other interests.

"This is one of the most important days in the 34-year history of our firm," Faiss said.

And, the decision helps Bryan achieve an important family role he missed when his father passed away during Bryan's first year of law school. He will be working in the same firm as his daughter, Leslie Bryan Hart.

Barrier files motion

Buffalo Jim Barrier is turning up the heat on Crazy Horse Too owner Rick Rizzolo, claiming the topless club guru advised witnesses in a case against him to "take the Fifth Amendment."

Glade Hall, Barrier's attorney, filed a motion in District Court on Thursday seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction.

A Feb. 22 hearing has been set on the matter.

Barrier has been fighting Rizzolo for more than a year, claiming Rizzolo has tried to squeeze out his business, Allstate Auto & Marine, which is next door to the club on Industrial Road.

The motion filed Thursday says Rizzolo called two witnesses involved in a previous Barrier lawsuit. During a Jan. 9 arbitration hearing in that matter, affidavits were presented from Dan Kennedy and Don Welch.

Welch said he repeatedly observed sexual activity in the parking lots around Crazy Horse, and that repeated threats were made by club employees to take over Barrier's space.

Rory Reid's role

Nevada's Democratic Party Chairman Rory Reid will be watching the battle for the state's third congressional seat from the sidelines.

Reid, the son of Sen. Harry Reid, said he considered running for the new seat, but decided he'd prefer to focus his attentions on his work.

"I enjoy being a partner in this firm," Reid said after a press conference at Lionel Sawyer & Collins to announce Richard Bryan's decision to become a partner in the firm. "I also enjoy my political activities. This way I can continue to do both."

Reid said since two Democrats have already expressed interest in the race, he will remain neutral on any endorsements. Clark County Commission Chairman Dario Herrera is expected to announce his bid for the seat soon and Assemblyman David Goldwater, D-Las Vegas, is considering a run.

Goodman explains

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said his recent talks with would-be council members were not intended to keep them from running for office.

"I had enough people trying to dissuade me from running," Goodman said.

Goodman has spoken to former City Councilman and Constable Bob Nolen, who has filed to run against current Councilman Lawrence Weekly, and to activist Louise Helton, who is considering a run against Councilman Michael Mack.

"I just told them that I'm the mayor and asked them if they had any questions," Goodman said during his weekly press conference.

Race crowded

The race for the Ward 5 council seat in Las Vegas is getting more crowded.

On Thursday, residents Paul Holder and Ruth Irene Spear filed for the seat, currently held by Councilman Lawrence Weekly. Holder ran against Michael McDonald for the Ward 1 council seat in 1999.

Weekly is already facing opposition from former City Councilman and Constable Bob Nolen and from Libertarian candidate Charles Schneider.