Lurie joins state wildlife board

Wednesday, July 7, 2004 | 10:56 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn today announced the appointment of former Las Vegas Mayor Ron Lurie to the state Board of Wildlife, succeeding John Moran Jr., who resigned to become a member of the Nevada Gaming Commission.

Lurie, 63, is executive vice president and general manager of Arizona Charlie's. He will serve out the remainder of Moran's term, which expires June 30, 2006.

Lurie served as Las Vegas city commissioner and councilman from 1973 to 1987 and as mayor from 1987 to 1990. He opted not to run for a second term as mayor following negative publicity generated over a 1984 land purchase in a blind trust that included 11 other people, some of whom did business with the city.

Among Lurie's partners in the purchase of 55 acres of undeveloped Bureau of Land Management property at Washington Avenue and Durango Drive were Moran, then-City Manager Ashley Hall, late City Councilman Al Levy and then-UNLV basketball Coach Jerry Tarkanian and his son Danny Tarkanian.

Guinn didn't address that controversy in announcing Lurie's appointment.

"For more than three decades, he (Lurie) has an extensive record of participation on a number of boards, commissions and committees, including his tenure as mayor and city council member in Las Vegas," Guinn said.

The governor said Lurie "will bring a balanced understanding of wildlife issues to the wildlife commission." Lurie said he is a lifelong hunter and fisherman and has for many years followed the agendas of the commission.

Guinn also reappointed Chris MacKenzie of Carson City and Mike Riordan of Jiggs to new four-year terms on the commission.