Commissioners back Reilly; process irks three members

Adrienne Packer

Wednesday, June 20, 2001 | 10:26 a.m.

Thom Reilly's transition Tuesday from educator to county manager, although expeditious, was less than smooth as Clark County commissioners continued to bicker over his appointment.

The same board members who badgered Dale Askew and began calling for his resignation two years ago essentially extended the job offer to Reilly without discussing the move with three fellow board members.

Askew resigned as county manager Tuesday but will remain in the position until July 27.

Commissioners Yvonne Atkinson Gates and Bruce Woodbury, though perturbed by the process, were at least comforted by the fact they have worked with Reilly. Commissioner Chip Maxfield met Reilly for the first time Monday.

"I was not involved in the process, and I don't think that's fair," Maxfield said. "What we do as a board reflects on the whole valley. I hope in the future a process this important can be done better."

Maxfield's comments paralleled statements made by Woodbury and Atkinson Gates, who were angry that their colleagues shunned the idea of a nationwide search for the job that earned Askew $156,000 annually.

Although the seven-member board voted unanimously for Reilly, Woodbury said the method in which the new county manager was chosen was "not good government."

"I'm concerned about the process or, more accurately, that there was no process," Woodbury said. "It does a disservice to us and to the community. This commission has said many times there is a lack of communication. Certainly in this situation there has been a lack of communication between my colleagues."

Commissioners Erin Kenny and Dario Herrera initiated Askew's departure two years ago when they publicly complained about his management style and called for his resignation while Askew was on vacation.

Reilly, who left the county in 1999 to become an associate professor at UNLV, was promptly touted as a potential successor.

Askew announced his intention to resign earlier this month after an informal meeting with Herrera and Mary Kincaid-Chauncey. His resignation and the proposal to hire Reilly was backed by Kenny and Myrna Williams, giving the commissioners a majority vote.

Kenny, who has complained Askew lacks innovation and claimed he was hired as a "transitional figure" when county manager Pat Shalmy left in 1997, called Askew and Shalmy "two of the best county managers in the entire country."

Herrera, who has consistently pushed for Askew's resignation, called the outgoing 56-year-old manager a "classy man."

The commission chairman also admonished critics who claimed the process to select Reilly was closed, and Kincaid-Chauncey said Askew was chosen in a similar manner.

"For anyone to suggest this has been a closed process, that is a vast mischaracterization," Herrera said.

Commissioners commended Reilly for stepping up to the podium and accepting the position after board members argued about the selection process.

The 40-year-old Reilly served as the county's administrative services director for nearly three years and worked under Shalmy and Askew. Though he left for UNLV in 1999 he was anxious to come back to lead the county.

After Tuesday's meeting Reilly said he was pleased to receive a vote of confidence from all seven members and is prepared to take on each board members' personalities and needs.

"I wouldn't have left the university if I didn't think this was a good fit," Reilly said. "I've been there, and I know what to expect. I'm not walking into this with a lot of idealism."

Reilly has been some commissioners' favorite because of his experience in social work. He earned a doctorate in public administration and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Southern California. He also has a master's degree in social work from Arizona State University.

Before joining the county he was the chief of social services for the state's welfare division and also served as a statewide coordinator for Gov. Bob Miller's Family Resource Center Project.

Askew received the retirement package he requested. The county will pay $180,000 to purchase three years toward his retirement, giving him 21 years of service. The extra years pushes his pension to $78,000 a year.

Askew thanked commissioners for his four-year stint as county manager.

"Thank you for your support over the years and thank you for allowing me to put together a great staff," Askew said.