Two top county workers bow out

Adrienne Packer

Thursday, June 28, 2001 | 10:52 a.m.

Two longtime Clark County department heads, one of whom is embroiled in an ethics investigation, submitted letters of resignation Wednesday.

General Services Director Earl Hawkes and Parks and Recreation Director Glenn Trowbridge both asked to resign under the county's voluntary separation program, according to Clark County Manager Dale Askew.

Askew said the directors' resignations will be effective July 9.

The voluntary separation program, implemented two years ago, is a temporary offer that allows employees to retire and purchase up to three years' additional service. Money for the program was set aside in the employee benefit fund.

Askew, who took advantage of the voluntary separation program earlier this month, said Friday is the last day to apply.

"(Hawkes and Trowbridge) were up against the timeline and obviously had been thinking about it," Askew said. "They waited until the last minute to do it."

Both men were hired by the county in June 1985, and each earn $130,817 a year, according to the county's public information office.

Hawkes was scheduled to appear before the Nevada State Ethics Commission last week, but the hearing was delayed.

The ethics complaint, filed by former facilities worker Gene Smith, alleges that Hawkes had county employees work on his home while on county time. Smith also alleges that when the air-conditioner compressor on Hawkes' home broke, it was replaced with county-owned equipment.

Hawkes' attorney, Frank Cremen, requested the case be postponed, because Hawkes was unexpectedly called away to testify in a court case in Montana, according to Polly Hamilton, executive of the ethics commission.

Two years ago, when county commissioners spoke publicly about their concerns with Askew's management style, board members noted a handful of ineffective department heads.

Hawkes' and Trowbridge's names were mentioned then, and government sources have said they have also been listed among department head changes that could occur when incoming county manager Thom Reilly begins next month.

Despite the rumblings, Askew said today that both men have done a good job for the county.

"They're both qualified and competent in their fields," Askew said.

Neither Hawkes nor Trowbridge could be reached before the newspaper's deadline today.