Political notebook: MGM MIRAGE quick to answer boycott threat by Sharpton

Erin Neff

Friday, Jan. 25, 2002 | 9:14 a.m.

The Rev. Al Sharpton hopes to turn Valentine's Day weekend into an economic massacre for MGM MIRAGE, but the hotel company's executives think he'll be the one with the lonely holiday.

In December, Sharpton used a brief stopover in Las Vegas as an opportunity to assail MGM MIRAGE's management over allegations of racial discrimination in the company's Detroit casino.

Sharpton's National Action Network asked the state Gaming Control Board to investigate whether similar alleged discrimination was occurring in MGM MIRAGE hotels in Nevada.

But Sharpton had never brought the issue to the attention of MGM MIRAGE management, and company executives accused the prospective 2004 presidential candidate of using the press conference to draw attention to himself.

Now Sharpton plans to launch a national boycott of MGM MIRAGE during a visit to Las Vegas Feb. 16-18, Gene Collins, president of the Las Vegas chapter of Sharpton's network, announced Thursday.

Tony Gladney, vice president for national diversity relations for MGM MIRAGE, wasn't worried about Sharpton.

"Outlandish statements that have no bearing in the truth deserve no response," Gladney said.

The company maintains its diversity initiative is a nationwide example. To help with that message, former Labor Secretary Alexis Herman was named this week to MGM MIRAGE's board.

Dems win one, lose one

Democrats still don't have a candidate for attorney general, but they picked up a strong state Senate contender this week.

Las Vegas attorney Danny Ayala Jr. decided not to run for attorney general against Reno Republican Brian Sandoval.

But Clark County lobbyist Terry Lamuraglia -- a former firefighter hoping to cash in on post 9-11 support for servicemen -- decided he will run for state Senate District 9.

Democrats are hoping Lamuraglia can beat a Republican opponent weakened by a testy primary. Assemblyman Dennis Nolan, R-Las Vegas, is running against well-financed businessman Bill Brady.

Herrera a hero?

Clark County commissioner and congressional candidate Dario Herrera picked up a nice honor from the group he most recently helped lead.

But the executive director of the local chapter of the National Conference for Community and Justice says Herrera was not on the small committee that picked the community heroes.

"He was nowhere near any part of the process," said Lee Plotkin, NCCJ's executive director.

Still, one board member of the group sees it differently, alleging that Herrera's position with the group -- and a spot on the board of directors for Herrera's public relations person -- helped him get the nod.

Plotkin said Herrera stepped down as presiding chairman of the NCCJ board last September and had no hand in picking himself as a community hero.

NCCJ's other community heroes are Clark County School District's Karla McComb; AFL-CIO's Danny Thompson; the Rev. Jerry Blankenship, Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center's chaplain, and corporate hero Sierra Health Services.

But none of them are running for Congress.

Oaks not giving up

Although the campaign fund-raising and endorsements don't tell it, there is more than one candidate running for sheriff.

On Wednesday, the Nevada Conference of Police and Sheriffs threw its support behind Metro Deputy Chief Bill Young.

Young has already received the support of Metro's Police Protective Association, has raised $190,000 and has the tacit support of Sheriff Jerry Keller.

But Metro Capt. Randy Oaks isn't giving up.

"Granted, it's an uphill battle because of his ability to raise money," Oaks said. "But I set myself apart from any other candidate by my community activity."

Oaks is hoping voters "want someone to be sheriff who's more than a cop." He points to his work with the school district, the chamber of commerce and nonprofit groups such as the Family Resource Center as reasons voters will select him.

For the record ...

Clark County Republican Chairman Steve Wark will be the guest speaker at the Republican Men's Club's general membership meeting Feb. 4 at Ellis Island casino.

A buffet lunch for $12 will be served at 11:30 a.m. The casino is at 4178 Koval Lane. For information, call 321-2424.