Staff covers for missing councilman

Diana Sahagun

Thursday, July 19, 2001 | 10:43 a.m.

Las Vegas City Councilman Michael Mack may be scarce around City Hall, but his constituents -- who overwhelmingly voted him into office in April -- haven't noticed, officials say.

Just days after promising to rebound from ethics violations and saying he was in good health, Mack on Wednesday for the second consecutive time failed to attend a council meeting.

While critics are questioning whether Mack is living up to his council duties, others on the 10th floor say the councilman's staff is picking up the slack.

The three staff members who run Mack's office on a full-time basis are keeping quiet about the councilman's absence. But one 10th-floor staff member said things have been running smoothly and that no constituents of Ward 6 are being neglected.

Mack reported to work at City Hall on Tuesday, the first time since July 2, when he left town to be treated for stress. After working half the day, Mack left the office.

Stephen Reilly, a member of the Las Vegas group Northwest Network of Neighborhoods, said that, although residents are puzzled over Mack's behavior, it has been business as usual, thanks in large part to the councilman's staff.

Last week Reilly said residents of Elkhorn Springs called Mack's office to request "No Parking" signs be installed along Cimarron Road and Sunny Springs Lane. The signs were installed this week.

"I haven't heard any complaints, and I think that's a testament to his staff, who are doing a good job in spite of difficult circumstances," he said.

Mack, who earns $40,063 in his part-time position, continues to be paid while he is absent, Doug Selby, deputy city manager, said. Selby said there is no penalty for council members who fail to show up for work or for meetings, as they are held to different standards than are staff members. Only the voters can take action against a council member, either by a recall or by voting someone else into office.

Selby said he met with all of the council members, including Mack, on Tuesday. He has not received complaints from residents regarding Mack's absence, he said.

"Generally, the council members need to fulfill their obligations to their constituents, and that means attending meetings and talking with their constituents," Selby said. "Just because they're not at City Hall doesn't mean they're not working."

City spokeswoman Andrea Smith said that despite the fact Mack did not report to work until this week, the councilman has been in town since July 9, meeting with constituents at his pawn shop and conducting city business from his cell phone and via e-mail. She said that he has been in contact with his staff every day.

No items on the agenda that concerned Mack's ward were postponed because of his absence. Instead, City Councilman Larry Brown, who represented the northwest for two years until his ward was divided in 1999, filled in for Mack. Nevertheless, Mack's absence during Wednesday's council meeting and his secretive behavior has raised the eyebrows of several City Hall officials, one of whom told the Sun, "This is not the way you act when you've got nothing to hide."

Terry Murphy of Strategic Solutions, a public relations firm hired by Mack, said this morning that in Mack's eagerness to return to work, he pushed himself too far and, consequently, needs to rest. On Tuesday Mack visited a local doctor, who told the councilman to take a few more days off.

On Wednesday morning he called Mayor Oscar Goodman and asked to be excused from the day's council meeting.

Mack has offered little information about his condition or his absence since July 2, when a lawsuit seeking his removal from office was filed. Mack is accused of having a conflict of interest, because he denied a car dealership in the northwest and accepted a $60,000 loan from a rival car dealer. He also faces an ethics complaint relating to his vote on the dealership.

Mack now refers questions about the loan, and whether it swayed his vote, to his high-profile criminal defense attorney, Richard Wright. Mack also refuses to answer questions about his financial status. According to Mack's financial disclosure forms, he owes 12 people or companies each at least $5,000.

Mack appeared upbeat and optimistic during a ground-breaking ceremony for a new park Saturday morning. He said he went to Scottsdale, Ariz., July 2 to see a doctor for chest pains he believed to be a result of stress. The councilman was given a clean bill of health.

Mack said Saturday that he felt "great" and said he would have no problem dealing with the stress associated with ethics allegations because he has confidence in his new attorney.

"Having that week to rest has given me more vigor to perform," Mack said Saturday. "I'm going to step it up even more." Goodman said Mack has no plans to resign. He also dismissed rumors that Mack is struggling with a gambling problem.

"I see no indication of that," Goodman said. "If anyone has those problems, it's me, and I'd know it."