Assembly pair appeal firings

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003 | 8:22 a.m.

Clark County officials heard the appeals Monday of two employees who served in the Legislature and were fired for receiving both local and state pay.

Assembly members Kelvin Atkinson and Kathy McClain, both Democrats, who were fired by the county last month for taking county pay and benefits while serving in the Legislature, had hearings with county human resources officials who could overturn the decision. Both Atkinson and McClain worked for the county's Parks and Community Services Department.

The two were swept up in a probe of so-called "double-dipping" by local officials that has also touched Las Vegas city employee and Assemblyman Wendell Williams and other officials.

County spokesman Erik Pappa declined to comment on Monday's appeal hearings. He said it could take several days for the county to rule on the appeals.

Under the employee collective-bargaining agreement, the county has five days to respond to the appeal. If the terminations are upheld, McClain and Atkinson have the option of another appeal to an independent arbitrator, whose decision would be final.

Ty Weinert, spokeswoman for the Service Employees International Local 1107, which represents the pair, said the union would not have any comment since the issue is an ongoing personnel matter.

McClain did not return calls Monday. She has declined comment in the past, citing the ongoing nature of the appeals process.

Atkinson said his hearing "went well."

"I thought it was very productive," he said. "I thought we were able to present some things."

He declined to comment on the specifics of the hearing.