Sunday, July 1, 2007 | 7:07 a.m.
If you have ever wondered why some officials at Las Vegas City Hall seem more accessible than others, you are not alone.
The issue of who calls back and how frequently they do it has been raised in the Council Chamber, at candidate forums during campaigns and in City Hall hallways.
Although there is no way of knowing precisely how many calls various public officials field or return, the experience of frequent callers, reporters and others reveals trends.
Some officials obviously receive many more calls than others, making it more likely that some responses may take longer or slip through the cracks .
Urbanization problems, such as graffiti and other crime issues, affect the city's older, more densely populated neighborhoods to a greater extent and no doubt affect call volume.
Despite that - or perhaps because of it - the official deemed most likely to respond to calls represents some of the oldest Las Vegas neighborhoods.
Here is a tongue-in-cheek and completely unscientific look - call it a word-of-mouth analysis - at some of the high-profile residents of City Hall, with, in typical Las Vegas fashion, the odds that each might return a call. The odds are like those in a horse race, with the person rated most likely to call back listed as the favorite.
The Sun hopes that the officials mentioned in this story take it as the good-natured jab it is intended to be. If not, these odds will likely go way up - at least for one City Hall reporter.
Ward 3 Councilman Gary Reese (1-9): One of the few politicians who can get away with running a clip joint, the full-time barber always calls back or at least answers the phone at his shop. Sometimes it's difficult to hear over the buzzing of the clippers, however, which may explain why he occasionally feels he gets short shrift from reporters on quotes.
Mayor Oscar Goodman (even money): The mayor loves his public and although some may argue this point, he is usually accommodating to reporters as well. Goodman is more likely to be criticized for what he says when answering calls than for ignoring his callers. Although return calls to the public often come from staff, the mayor will occasionally "holla' back" directly to his constituents.
Ward 4 Councilman Larry Brown (2-1): The former minor league ballplayer seems to have a pretty good batting average when it comes to returning calls. Of course, as Brown often points out, "What is there to complain about in Ward 4?"
Ward 2 Councilman Steve Wolfson (3-1): He is probably less likely to call back if he gets the message in his car or at home because he's too busy ducking all those low-flying planes making a right turn over Summerlin.
Ward 6 Councilman Steve Ross (5-1): His constituents seem to have better luck than reporters in getting responses from him . Maybe cell phone towers are scarce and service is limited way out in the untamed desert of Ward 6.
Ward 1 Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian (10-1): A common complaint among detractors during her reelection campaign this year was that calls to her office often are not returned. Some say her staff is overprotective, but if the message actually reaches her, the odds of a return call get much better.
Ward 5 Councilman Ricki Barlow (no line): It's not fair to put odds on the newly elected Barlow, because he really hasn't had the opportunity to ignore anyone yet.
City Manager Doug Selby (even money): It's about 50-50 he'll call you back. But it doesn't matter, because everyone thinks Goodman really runs things, so he gets far fewer calls than Hizzoner.
Scott "Blackberry" Adams, director of the business development office (phone call 50-1; e-mail even money): Rarely returns a phone call directly, but is a demon with a hand-held device.
City Attorney Brad Jerbic (100-1): The fast-talking Jerbic reads agenda items into the official record with the speed of Goodman tossing 'em back at a free martini luncheon, but returns phone calls about as often as it rains in Las Vegas.
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