Board split over hiring of Reilly for manager post

Adrienne Packer

Thursday, June 14, 2001 | 11:19 a.m.

Less than two weeks after Clark County Manager Dale Askew announced his retirement, commissioners are set to hire their former administrative services director to oversee county operations.

In two consecutive agenda items scheduled for Tuesday's Clark County Commission meeting, the board will consider Askew's resignation and decide whether to hire UNLV associate professor Thom Reilly.

But a shift in leadership doesn't necessarily translate into a change in unity among commissioners.

Board members, who pushed for Askew's resignation, staunchly back Reilly and have upset Askew's original supporters by making a formal request to hire the UNLV professor so quickly. Commissioner Bruce Woodbury said a more thorough search for a replacement should have been conducted.

"I think it was a mistake, and they're doing a disservice to Thom Reilly to do it this way," Woodbury said. "I think my preference in these situations is at least open it up for a period of time to see who is interested in applying."

Woodbury said neither he nor commissioners Yvonne Atkinson Gates or Chip Maxfield had a chance to talk to Reilly before the agenda item appeared. Woodbury is scheduled to meet with the 40-year-old Reilly this week.

"I would have liked to have had the opportunity to meet with Thom Reilly before it was placed on the agenda as a done deal," Woodbury said. "I think it's unusual and unsatisfactory the way this was done."

Reilly has been the only name mentioned since commissioners Dario Herrera and Erin Kenny first tried to force Askew out two years ago. The two board members criticized Askew's management style and have heralded Reilly for his expertise in social work and his ability to get along with all seven commissioners.

Kenny, along with Mary Kincaid-Chauncey and Myrna Williams, are the petitioners on the agenda item requesting that Reilly be hired.

Reilly, who often served as a buffer between some board members and Askew when he worked at the county, said last week that he would be honored to take the job and believes he can work with seven different personalities.

Herrera, chairman of the board, said Wednesday that no one has expressed interest in Askew's position since talk of his departure began more than a year ago. He is confident the proper leaders can be chosen without an extensive search.

"I've said all along there are pluses and minuses to a search," Herrera said. "The time it would take to do a search and the amount of money it would take to do a search, it would be difficult to find someone who could hit the ground running like Mr. Reilly."