Republic Services of S. Nevada president resigns

Alana Roberts

Wednesday, June 30, 2004 | 10:53 a.m.

Republic Services of Southern Nevada Area President Stephen Kalish, a local political player and major contributor to political campaigns, has resigned from the company.

Kalish resigned from Republic Services on Sunday through a faxed letter of resignation in which he cited personal reasons for the decision, Will Flower, a spokesman for Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Republic Services Inc., said Tuesday. He said the letter stated Kalish's resignation was effective immediately.

Kalish could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Flower said Kalish was area president with Republic Services of Southern Nevada for three years. Flower said Kalish is a long-time Republic employee and that he started with the company as a helper on a truck and worked his way up through the company. In his role as area manager, Kalish managed the company's Southern Nevada operations.

Flower said the company doesn't yet have a replacement for Kalish.

Republic Industries Inc. acquired Republic Services of Southern Nevada predecessor Silver State Disposal Services for $378 million in 1997. In 1999 Republic Industries sold off Republic Services Inc., which includes Silver State, in a public stock offering. That sale raised $1.2 billion.

Republic Services has an exclusive contract with Clark County, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson to collect and dispose of solid waste for 400,000 commercial and residential customers. The company has 12,900 employees in 22 states with 950 union and 50 customer service and management employees in Southern Nevada.

Kalish and Republic Services have made numerous political campaign contributions to city, county and state politicians as well as national political leaders. Such contributions have raised questions as to whether the company has used contributions and alliances with politicians to set up its long-term monopoly on waste removal in the Las Vegas Valley -- charges denied by Republic.

Jim Santangelo, vice president of the western region of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, said he believes Kalish left because of negative publicity the company has garnered for what the union calls abuses of workers, safety violations and violations of the union's contract with the company. Teamsters Local 631 represents about 1,000 Republic workers.

"About him resigning I don't believe it. He created the bad publicity, the fall out and all the pressure we put on them in the last few weeks was because of him. That company doesn't like bad publicity," Santangelo said. The Teamsters held a press conference earlier this month announcing a campaign to fight what it calls poor working conditions at the company.

Flower declined to comment directly on the Teamsters' suggestion Kalish was forced out because of labor troubles.

"All I can say is this was Steve's decision to leave. He did say it's for personal reasons and I can't disclose more than that, other than our best wishes are with him and his family," Flower said.