Regents plan to discuss fired lobbyist

Friday, Feb. 13, 2004 | 11:26 a.m.

Attorneys for Nevada's higher education system have informed former community college lobbyist John Cummings that he will be discussed at a special Board of Regents meeting Feb. 26 and 27 in Las Vegas.

The notice says regents plan to discuss certain employment practices, conduct and the use of personnel, including contractual and legislative matters, Frank Cremen, Cummings' attorney, said this morning. The notice also says regents will discuss Cummings' personal character, competence and conduct and may take administrative action against him.

Cremen said he plans to defend Cummings at what the notice says will be an open meeting.

"I need to find out more what they tend to do there, but I do intend to be prepared to present evidence, and call witnesses if necessary to show they made a horrible mistake," Cremen said.

No agenda has been published for the meeting, but university regents say they may discuss a settlement offer from Cummings and other issues relating to his Nov. 20 removal.

Regents ousted Cummings and former Community College of Southern Nevada President Ron Remington from their posts following a 17-hour closed session Nov. 17 and 20.

Remington's attorney Kathleen England refused to accept a faxed notice that Remington will be discussed and said she will request another temporary restraining order against the board if system attorneys send her client a formal notice.

England said she recieved a fax yesterday from system attorney's informing her they plan to discuss "certain employment practices, conduct and the use of personnel" involving Remington.

The fax, which England says is unacceptable notice under statute, does not say whether the discussion on Remington will be open or closed.

"I don't think it's appropriate to discuss him," England said. "They shouldn't have a meeting until they present him with a full list of allegations against him and allow him time to prepare and provide an adequate defense."

Both Cummings and Remington have lawsuits pending against the Board of Regents. The attorney general's office also has sued, asking the court to void the removals because the regents allegedly violated open-meeting law.

District Judge Jackie Glass has already issued a restraining order to stop the regents from revisiting any Remington presidency issues without properly noticing Remington.