Council members bid farewell to Michael Mack

Dan Kulin

Thursday, June 16, 2005 | 9:02 a.m.

Las Vegas City Councilman Michael Mack could have received some of the mayor's personalized poker chips or a couple thousand dollars as parting gifts on his last day as a voting member of the council, the mayor said.

Instead, Mack was given "our enduring friendship from each and every one of us," Mayor Oscar Goodman said as the council members lauded Mack and wished him well at the beginning of his last council meeting.

"He has worked tirelessly for his constituents," the mayor said, and later listed some of the improvements Mack has helped bring to his Ward 6, including the Centennial Hills Park and planned community center, and the city's first equestrian park.

"He's had a real impact up here," Goodman said.

Councilman Gary Reese said Mack has done a "tremendous job," and thanked Mack for being honest with him, and Councilman Steve Wolfson thanked Mack for his encouragement and said he is "truly a gentleman."

Councilman Lawrence Weekly recalled that he and Mack were appointed to the council together, have worked together, and gone to nightclubs together.

"This dude is really, really crazy outside this office," Weekly said.

Mack said he was "humbled by all the kind words," and thanked his family, staff, constituents, fellow council members and the media.

Since his appointment to the then newly created Ward 6 council seat in September 1999, Mack has been brought before ethics commissions and into court, filed for bankruptcy, and taken time off because of stress.

Mack said that at times he was thankful his two sons couldn't read the unflattering headlines in the local newspapers, but added that he wanted to "thank the media for being tough but making me a tougher person."

Although he could have run for re-election, Mack opted out of what surely would have been an ugly campaign against him, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.

Steve Ross will replace Mack on the council. Ross earlier this month won what turned out to be an ugly campaign even without Mack as a candidate.

Mack supported Ross' opponent Mary Gillins, and was critical of Ross during the campaign, but on Wednesday said Ross was a capable person. Mack suggested that so long as Ross works with the residents and the development community he can achieve a "good balance" for the community.

Ross, who was also critical of Mack during the campaign, will be sworn in on July 6.

Mack said he has no plans to run for office again, but wouldn't rule out a change of heart and said he plans to remain involved with the community in some capacity.