Askew ends long career with county

Adrienne Packer

Thursday, June 7, 2001 | 11:30 a.m.

Six months ago supporters of Clark County Manager Dale Askew spared his job by arguing that the county needed his expertise and connections in Carson City to make it through a volatile legislative session.

Tuesday's conclusion of the session also marked the beginning to the end of Askew's 17-year career at the Clark County Government Center.

Askew, who has been the target of several attempted ousters by commissioners, announced his resignation to his staff this morning. His last day will be July 27.

"If there is a good time to make a major administrative change, this is it," Askew said. "It's after the legislative session and well before County Commission campaigns start in earnest. It's as good a time as any."

The 56-year-old county manager barely survived the board's last effort to force him from his post in November. Askew's contract was extended when commissioners failed to collect the required four votes to terminate the agreement.

Askew was reportedly told by board members most interested in his departure that they would revisit the issue when the legislative session ended. On Wednesday Commissioners Mary Kincaid and Dario Herrera visited his office to discuss his "longevity" with the county, Askew said.

"They did not pressure me," said Askew, who added that he first considered resigning in November. "I'm deciding this is something I want to do. I'm not bitter; I do have a sense of relief."

Askew's greatest adversaries on the commission have been Herrera, Kincaid and Erin Kenny. Kenny and Herrera made the initial move to force Askew from office in 1999, when they complained that the county leader lacked innovation and the communication skills to be effective.

Askew joined the county government in 1983 as a comptroller and was promoted to assistant county manager the following year. He became county manager in 1997.

Askew said he was surprised by the 1999 attempt, when commissioners went public with their concerns while he was on vacation. Since then he has become accustomed to frequent rumblings about efforts to get rid of him.

"It comes with the territory," Askew said. "When I was appointed in 1997, I had about a three-month honeymoon. There are seven different opinions on how the county can be run. Balancing those opinions and management styles is a real challenge."

Herrera insisted Askew still has the support of the majority of the board, which will consider his resignation on June 19. The commission chairman didn't deny he has had concerns about Askew.

"I think the county's responsiveness or lack thereof certainly has been cause for concern," Herrera said.

Commissioners who have backed Askew during a series of attempts to force his resignation said fellow board members' concerns have little to do with the management of the county.

"This is more about getting what you want for certain commissioners," Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates said. "I understand his desire to want to leave. I would too, dealing with seven different bosses. It's not an easy job, especially when you have new people who don't understand the mechanics of county government."

County officials won't comment on potential successors, but commissioners have spent as much time discussing hiring former Administrative Service Director Thom Reilly as they have about firing Askew.

Reilly, now an associate professor at UNLV's School of Social Work, worked as a liaison between commissioners and Askew before he left the county in 1999. County sources said hiring Reilly to replace Askew is a "done deal."

Reilly could not be reached for comment this morning, but Askew confirmed his former employee is a front-runner for his job.

"I guess he could be considered as someone who has expressed interest," Askew said. "Whoever takes this job should know the main challenge is balancing the interests of several different bosses and keeping the county moving forward."