Truesdell awaits possible return to Planning Commission

Sito Negron

Tuesday, June 29, 2004 | 9:29 a.m.

Ric Truesdell did not win election as the new Ward 2 councilman, but he may regain his seat on the Las Vegas Planning Commission.

Truesdell was one of the four top votegetters in last week's race, and like the other two who did not get elected, said he would consider another run.

He had been chairman of the commission but had to submit a letter of resignation from the Planning Commission to run for council seat, although it was not effective until last Thursday.

The Ward 2 election was June 22, a week ago today. Lawyer Steve Wolfson finished atop a field of 12 candidates. The other top finishers were, in order, Gabriel Lither, Truesdell, and city Planning Director Bob Genzer.

Truesdell is not eligible for reappointment until Wolfson is sworn in at the July 7 Council meeting. A new appointment to the Planning Commission is on that same day's agenda.

The commission appointment belongs to Mayor Oscar Goodman. The appointment would be subject to ratification by the council.

Goodman said last week that he had not given the matter much thought.

"I haven't had any discussions with Mr. Truesdell since the election," Goodman said. "I haven't given it any thought since he hasn't made an expression to me since the election that he wants to be reappointed."

Truesdell said Monday that he isn't seeking the appointment, but said that "I think the mayor is positive about reappointing me, but I'm not sure until he does it. I enjoy giving back to the community, so I don't think I'd turn it down."

He repeated his earlier comments about running again for the Ward 2 council seat.

"I need a vacation to think that far ahead," Truesdell said. "It's an option that's not high on my list today, but it was a positive experience for me even though I didn't win. I learned a lot and had a rewarding experience -- in the doing, not the outcome."

Genzer, who has said he would retire from his city job at the end of the year, also was undecided about running again.

"If I don't think he (Wolfson) is doing a good job, I might take another shot at it," Genzer said. "He'll only be my boss for the rest of the year, and then I'm retiring."

He said that he would not seek campaign donations while on the job.

"As of today, I have no intention of even thinking about raising any money at this point to run again," Genzer said. "My attention right now is strictly my job as planning director and making sure my department runs smoothly."

Genzer said he was happy to be back at work for a simple reason: "My staff is like my extended family, and from that standpoint I've really missed everybody."

He said he'd help Wolfson as he would any new member of the City Council.

"I'm still the planning director, and I will give him the same amount of support as I give every council member," Genzer said. "He'll need a lot of information on how planning works and I'm willing to provide that information to him, no more and no less than to any other member of council."

Lither said that he did not have a meeting scheduled with Wolfson, something Wolfson mentioned as a priority immediately after getting elected.

"I'm sure he's busy with a lot of stuff. When he does have time, sure, I'd love to meet him and put in my two cents worth," Lither said.

As for whether he'll run again, he said "I'm just going to wait and see what Wolfson does and hope he does the right stuff and stands up for the residents."

Lither received plenty of media support for his strong showing, which came from the name recognition and grass-roots organization he gained in the battle to limit the height of Red Rock Station and from the support of the Culinary Union. He said when the final tally is over he will have spent about $11,000 on the race, still far less than the $100,000-plus reported as of June 10 by Wolfson.

Wolfson said Monday that he's spent time since the election meeting with staff and preparing to take his council seat.

"I'll probably wait until after the swearing in, but Gabe is one of the people who I am looking forward to sitting down with," Wolfson said.

Wolfson said he had no specific proposals to discuss, but did say he "directed staff to reach out to other appropriate agencies in the community dealing with crime, the water issues that are important to us, and dealing with air quality."

Wolfson said he planned to speak with City Manager Doug Selby and City Attorney Brad Jerbic today.