Editorial: So who’s to blame?

Friday, Nov. 28, 2003 | 8:23 a.m.

Extraordinary turmoil has enveloped the city of Las Vegas now for more than two months. It started when Assemblyman Wendell Williams, a city employee, was found to have routinely used his city-issued cell phone for expensive private calls. Then his use of city benefits -- sick days and vacation time -- while serving in the Legislature became an issue. Then a report determined that, as a city employee, he had very little supervision and that his whereabouts while on the job were apt to be unknown. He was suspended and his supervisor was suspended as well, for allegedly giving him preferential treatment. Then Williams accused the city of using him in the Legislature to influence the passage of laws favorable to the city.

In our view, this turmoil developed from management problems that evolved over a considerable length of time. The City Council admitted that during a special meeting Tuesday when it voted to develop better policies regarding sick days, vacation time and other forms of leave. It also voted to develop a policy to handle employees who are elected officials. As City Manager Doug Selby ponders the question of whether to fire Williams and his supervisor, he should also ask if the city itself, his office included, isn't equally to blame.