McDonald returns to council, this time as lobbyist

Sito Negron

Thursday, Aug. 19, 2004 | 9:49 a.m.

Las Vegas city staffers sitting in the front row at the council meeting Wednesday morning called out to Michael McDonald, eagerly shaking his hand and calling him "councilman," a title he had until June 2003, when he was defeated for the Ward 1 seat by Janet Moncrief.

McDonald was attending his first City Council meeting since losing his office, and it came the day after officials released grand jury transcripts of testimony that led to the indictment of Moncrief on charges of perjury and falsifying campaign reports.

McDonald said he was present to show support for city employee Tom Cooley, a Building and Safety Department inspection supervisor who was receiving an employee of the month award, and to keep an eye on a consent agenda item involving land use -- McDonald's current line of work.

He said he was there for agenda item 59, a measure that would allow the city to negotiate with Omega Development to purchase 2.81 acres of city land at Hualapai Way and Gilmore Avenue. The item was on the consent agenda and was passed without discussion.

"This is my first project back," said McDonald, who under "cooling off" laws was not allowed to lobby City Council or Planning Commission members for a year after he left office. McDonald said the cooling-off period expired in June.

He said he'll have more projects coming, including some in Ward 1, where he said he has remained active since leaving office.

When asked whether he would run for office again, McDonald said that "I'm happy in my life ... (but) never say never."

Politics, he said, "never leaves you."

McDonald said he has heard rumors that he will be called to testify in connection to the charges against Moncrief, but referred questions to his attorney, Richard Wright, who also is representing Moncrief. He called Wright "probably the best attorney in town" and said he did not have a problem with Wright representing Moncrief.

McDonald, who faced an Ethics Commission hearing while in office, said Moncrief's ordeal is "a difficult process for everybody. The councilwoman is entitled to due process."

Although his campaign accused Moncrief of receiving more money than reported and using dirty tricks, McDonald Wednesday declined to blame his loss on the smear tactics admitted to in the grand jury transcripts by former campaign workers, and said "the voters spoke."

McDonald was beaten almost 2-1 in the election of June, 2003.

Of his appearance at the council meeting Wednesday, McDonald said, "It's like coming home. It's very humbling ... It's definitely a new day, but it's nice when the staff recognizes you."