Conflict seen as Boggs McDonald joins Station board

Friday, July 25, 2003 | 11:32 a.m.

Las Vegas City Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald was appointed to the board of Station Casinos on Thursday, a position that gives her a conflict of interest on city matters involving gaming.

She said she doesn't believe her appointment will pose much of a problem at City Hall because "just two of the 11 Stations properties are in the city limits, " and the new Red Rock Station will also be located in the Clark County portion on Summerlin.

"The greater concern would be on votes involving competitors," she added.

She said she has asked the state Ethics Commission to provide guidelines as to how to handle the potential conflict of interest.

She said she hopes they can tell her "when I should vote or when I should outright abstain."

State statutes and city ordinances allow elected officials to disclose conflicts of interests and still vote on matters in some cases and disclose and abstain from voting in other circumstances.

Council members generally ask the city attorney's office for an opinion on various issues before they decide whether it is proper to vote or abstain after making a disclosure.

The city attorney's office said today that Boggs McDonald will have to disclose on all issues pertaining to gaming. However, it will be a case-by-case basis as to whether she will be able to vote or will have to abstain, the city attorney's office said.

Station Casinos on Thursday appointed Boggs McDonald, the owner of a small marketing company, to replace Tim Poster, who recently resigned his position on the company's board of directors.

This is the first publically traded organization with which Boggs McDonald has become affiliated. She currently serves on the board of Catolic Charities. AT&T Wireless, Colliers International and Trophy Homes were her clients when she was president of Thomas Puckett Advertising.

Frank Fertitta III, chairman and chief executive officer of Station Casinos, said Boggs Mcdonald, "understands the Las Vegas community and our core customer base very well. Her keen understanding of local government will also help us as we continue to expand our Native American gaming franchise outside the Las Vegas area."

Boggs McDonald, who was the 2002 Republican candidate for United States Congress for Nevada's First Congressional District, owns LBM Consulting, a public relations and marketing consulting business.

Station Casinos owns and operates Palace Station Hotel & Casino, Boulder Station Hotel & Casino, Santa Fe Station Hotel & Casino, Wildfire Casino and Wild Wild West Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas, Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel and Fiesta Rancho Casino Hotel in North Las Vegas, and Sunset Station Hotel & Casino and Fiesta Henderson Casino Hotel in Henderson.

Station also owns a 50 percent interest in Barley's Casino & Brewing Company and Green Valley Ranch Station Casino in Henderson and a 6.7 percent interest in the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Stations also manages the Thunder Valley Casino for the United Auburn Indian Community just outside Sacramento, California.