Reilly stands ready to succeed Askew

Adrienne Packer

Friday, June 8, 2001 | 11:33 a.m.

It took more than a year for a handful of Clark County commissioners to nudge county manager Dale Askew from office. It is expected to take a fraction of that time to replace him.

Thom Reilly, the county's former administrative services director, said Thursday he is prepared to take the job in August if the Clark County Commission offers him the top post.

"Some commissioners have talked seriously with me about whether I would come back," said Reilly, who left the county in 1999 to become an associate professor at UNLV's School of Social Work. "If that's the decision of the board and they take it to a meeting, I would be honored to go back."

Askew announced his resignation Thursday, nearly two years after commissioners first tried to oust him. Askew, who joined the county as comptroller in 1983 and was promoted to assistant county manager in 1984, has been county manager for about four years.

Askew, who earns $156,418 a year, is asking commissioners to add three years to his retirement package at a rate of $78,000 per year.

Reilly, 40, was administrative services director for more than two years and worked for Askew and his predecessor, Pat Shalmy.

He has not only watched Askew become the target of some board members, but he witnessed commissioners turn on Shalmy and eventually run him out of office. Shalmy has compared efforts to please seven commissioners to "herding cats."

Reilly, who had a reputation for working well with all board members, said he is prepared for the challenge.

"It's not like I don't know what I'm getting into; I don't have rose-colored glasses on," Reilly said. "I was involved in it."

Reilly touted his ability to communicate -- a skill some commissioners said Askew lacked -- and said his experience working with the state will be an advantage. Reilly was deputy administrator of the state division of child and family services before joining the county.

"I think the county's a dynamic organization, and they are facing a lot of challenges with the continuing growth," Reilly said. "I understand the context of how local government works with the state of Nevada."

Clark County Commission chairman Dario Herrera, who wanted rid of Askew since the former county manager was sworn in, said Reilly is his choice to fill Askew's old job. Herrera said Reilly's youth, dynamic personality and background will benefit the county and the board.

Reilly may lack knowledge in an area -- finances -- where Askew, an accountant, excelled. But Herrera said having a finance director such as George Stevens takes the pressure off Reilly, whose expertise is in social services.

"We need to maintain our fiscal strength, but by the same token we have to begin to address the effect this incredible growth has had on people of all levels -- parents, children and seniors alike," Herrera said.

When Reilly left for the university in 1999, commissioners blamed Askew for his -- and other administrators' -- departure. At the time Reilly called his new role at UNLV his "dream job."

It could be as soon as June 19, when the board is set to ratify Askew's resignation, that Reilly begins a new dream job.

"It's a dilemma, because I love my job at the university," Reilly said. "I love being a professor, I enjoy the students and I enjoy the research. But there are a lot of challenges to deal with at the county; it's a great opportunity."

Askew's last day at the county is scheduled to be July 27. Reilly said if he is offered the job he plans to spend time with the county manager before he leaves.