Reilly begins new life in office

Adrienne Packer

Tuesday, July 31, 2001 | 10:43 a.m.

When Clark County Manager Dale Askew vacated his office last week he left behind a few posters and a short note that perhaps warns his replacement of what to expect.

"Blame me for everything that goes wrong," Askew wrote to Thom Reilly. "That should work for at least six months."

Relaxing in his office on the sixth floor, the new county manager showed no signs of first-day jitters. Nor did he appear fearful he too might get caught in the same political whirlpool that sunk his predecessor.

Reilly was hired the same June day commissioners ratified Askew's resignation, a move that irked board members already upset that an extensive search wasn't conducted for the position, which pays $160,000 per year.

The 40-year-old Reilly has been making himself known in the Clark County Government Center since his controversial hiring. He has taken time to have meals with firefighters, introduce himself to staff members and meet with department heads.

He also absorbed as much as he could from Askew and spent time with each commissioner.

Reilly said Monday he doesn't detect any bitterness from Askew's staunch supporters on the board.

"I don't sense it at all," Reilly said. "It's a nonissue."

Having worked with most of the commissioners as the county's administrative services director between 1997 and 1999 likely has helped smooth relationships and simplify the transition to county manager.

Still, his first task as the county's leader wasn't easy. Reilly's early morning meetings included one with Gov. Kenny Guinn to discuss the county's new role as the Las Vegas Valley's air quality authority.

The governor's decision to allow the county to create a division to oversee the move to improve air quality throughout the valley upset city leaders.

Reilly, who has a doctorate in public administration and a master's degree in social work, will also be instrumental in guiding the county through the process of transferring child welfare responsibilities from the state to Clark County.

He met Monday with staff members responsible for the process and also with administrators who are helping with an efficiency study he plans to conduct on various county departments.

A six-member committee assembled by Reilly will meet with department heads during the next three months and make recommendations on how to streamline divisions.

The committee includes consultant Terry Murphy, former county finance director Guy Hobbs, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce President Bob Forbuss, lobbyist Rose McKinney-James, R&R Advertising's Dale Erquiaga and accountant Jeremy Aguero.

Some vacant positions might not be filled as a result of the committee's findings, but the intent of the study is not to cut jobs, Reilly said.

"This is not something where we're going in and downsizing," Reilly said.

Reilly said his time with Askew, combined with his stint in the administrative services director's office down the hall, helped with the transition Monday.

"If I had to walk in here out of the blue it would have been overwhelming," Reilly said. "I feel better situated to address these issues."