Council member claims political attack

Diana Sahagun

Thursday, May 30, 2002 | 10:53 a.m.

Las Vegas Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald says attempts by her council colleagues to question whether she violated a city communications policy is a personal, political attack designed to hurt her chances in her congressional race.

"The issue is that I have political enemies on the 10th floor (City Council offices in City Hall) that have supported my political opponent in my congressional race and made it their personal business to try to single me out and create as many negative stories between now and Election Day," she said.

Councilman Larry Brown has raised questions whether it was appropriate for the councilwoman's name to be included on a flier promoting a Ward 2 food festival that took place at Bruce Trent Park Saturday, five days after she filed as a Republican candidate against Democrat incumbent Shelley Berkley in the 1st Congressional District.

According to a policy adopted by the council in 2000, once city officials file for higher office, their names or pictures will not be used in city publications, city television shows or news releases.

David Riggleman, the city's communications director, said 29,060 fliers produced by the city's Leisure Services Department were sent to Ward 2 constituents May 13 or 14, and had been received within two days.

Boggs McDonald filed for the congressional seat May 20.

While not all fliers pass through the communications office, Riggleman said the flier in question was sent to his office to ensure it complied with the policy.

"(The flier) is OK," Riggleman said, "as long as it was sent and received before she filed for office."

A city press release sent May 24, after Boggs McDonald filed for office, did not include her name.

The councilwoman noted that the city's communications department sent out a press release in April announcing that Brown had decided against running for lieutenant governor. The city's communications department also issued a press release in October about a press conference in which Mayor Oscar Goodman announced he would not run for governor.

"It is interesting that I get singled out and everyone else that utilizes city resources for political purposes can walk away without having their name in the paper or without any scrutiny from themselves," she said.

Brown was taping a segment for the city's television station, "Access City Council," and could not be reached for comment this morning.

The council is scheduled to clarify the policy during Wednesday's council meeting, including how much money should be spent on fliers, Riggleman said.

Boggs McDonald said she has asked for a full accounting of all city events that include names of council members and how much they cost to advertise them.

"I knew it was only a matter of time before these political attacks would begin," she said.