Mack in town but not back on job yet

Diana Sahagun

Thursday, July 12, 2001 | 11:12 a.m.

Las Vegas City Councilman Michael Mack is reportedly back in town and in good health, but he won't report to work until next week.

Sources at City Hall told the Sun that Mack has been seen in town since Wednesday after being hospitalized in Arizona because of an unknown illness. Although the councilman has not made a formal statement regarding his whereabouts, nor has he returned calls to the Sun, sources say Mack will be back to City Hall Tuesday and will offer limited comment on his condition.

Mack has has been out of the public eye since July 2, when a lawsuit was filed against him and City Councilman Larry Brown. The suit seeks to remove the councilmen from office on charges of malfeasance.

Members of a northwest Las Vegas group -- Northwest Network of Neighborhoods -- usually have constant contact with Mack, but they say they have not been informed in regard to where he is or when he will be back.

Stephen Reilly, a member of the group, said residents in the northwest are waiting for the councilman to reappear and are wondering whether he will disclose his condition. Reilly said residents have heard rumors about his condition, including reports of him being treated for a gambling problem. Still, it has been weeks since they heard from the councilman.

"We've been left in the dark, and we really don't know what's going on," he said. "We're waiting and wishing him well."

Another northwest resident, Darren Petty, said, despite the attention, he supports Mack because of the councilman's voting record to help preserve Town Center.

"I know he's getting all this flack for voting down a car dealership, but he has done such a great job for us, and I'm happy with all his votes," Petty said.

On June 6 Mack voted to deny a car dealership proposed on Rancho Drive by John Staluppi. After an ethics complaint was filed against Mack the councilman disclosed that he had taken a $60,000 from rival car dealer Joseph Scala. Mack asked for the item to be reconsidered so he could recuse himself. He did not attend the council meeting July 5, but he provided a letter stating his wish to recuse himself from any discussion.

On Wednesday, during the Las Vegas Sun's "Face to Face" with Jon Ralston, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman downplayed rumors focusing on Mack and said the councilman had been seeking "medical treatment." Goodman said he has spoken to the councilman three times since Mack left town, but he did not know the nature of his ailment.

Goodman, who last year called for a Metro Police investigation in the wake of allegations of unethical conduct lodged against City Councilman Michael McDonald, said that situation was different when compared to Mack's.

Last week, when the council reconsidered and ultimately denied the proposed car dealership, City Councilman Gary Reese, who was filling in for the mayor, declined to call for an investigation of Mack, despite requests from Staluppi's attorney.

Goodman, who recused himself from the car dealership item citing conflicts of interest, said he agreed with Reese's decision and said Mack should be given credit for admitting his mistake.

"I think he made a mistake," Goodman said of Mack. "But when someone says they made a mistake and they're sorry, life should go on."