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The absentee governor
Gibbons should spend more time in the office during Nevada’s economic crisis
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008 | 2:07 a.m.
It is easy to tell that Gov. Jim Gibbons enjoys an aspect of his position that allows him to go on trail rides, attend business openings and deliver speeches before a Rotary Club. But he must be allergic to desk work because he is rarely in his Carson City or Las Vegas offices.
Las Vegas Sun reporters David McGrath Schwartz and Cy Ryan wrote Sunday that Gibbons was in his Capitol office only 12 days in August and September combined and, according to sources, was rarely in his Las Vegas office. But the governor loves to go out of state. He did so on 17 of 63 days dating to July 30.
Gibbons’ absenteeism couldn’t come at a worse time.
The state is suffering through one of its worst economic slumps in generations. And with Nevada enduring a record number of home foreclosures, rising unemployment and severe cuts in education, health care and other vital programs, the state needs a governor who is reliably on the job instead of playing hide-and-seek. The governor’s office arrogantly refused the Sun’s request to release his full schedule, as though he had something to hide.
Sources told the Sun he has not met with some department heads in more than a year. One insider said Gibbons’ staff “has to beg for face time with the governor, or else just walk into the office when he’s there.”
As easy as it is to tell that Gibbons likes his ceremonial duties, it is equally easy to measure the results of his long absences from his offices. He simply hasn’t accomplished much for the state since winning the November 2006 election.
He can change that by spending more time at the office, where he can meet regularly with department heads and do a better job of handling the state’s affairs.
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You are too kind to Gov. Gibbons..
Actually we should be glad he ISN'T at work.
With his ideas and intellect, he could be creating more damage coming to work.
At least Arnold sees his governor job as a job. Gibbons, our "leader," seems incapable of or indifferent to actively finding new revenue sources for the state. All he knows to do is cut the budget and say "gosh, no more money." That's not leadership; that's laziness and contempt for his constituents. When, Mr. Rogers, will you actually DO something rather than just talk?
Every government program is vital to you, give us a break.
Raising government spending WILL NOT help the economy recover, that is a fact.
Gibbons is to busy, attending re-election fundraiser parties, then take care, of this Great State.
Jim can text department heads - saving valuable taxpayer dollars. Keeping his office locked up saves on electricity and maintainance. Kudo's to Gov. Gibbons in his time of dispair. What with a crazy wife and poor advise from his staff - what's a governor to do? Stay away - that's for sure. I'll bet John McCaine had his eye on Gibbon's for that VP spot. Needed that smart, tight, executive experience. You betcha! Nevada is a toss-up state. Gibbon's on the ticket would have guaranteed a blue state - but would have insured Utah, Idaho, Wyoming into the McCaine column.
He's the cheater and it's his wife who is crazy? You're kidding, right?
As I've read the Governor's office declined to release his full schedule. Isn't a public official's schedule available via the Freedom of Information Act? I agree, if the office doesn't want to release the schedule there is something to hide. Furthermore, his office staff are breaking a federal act by not allowing the information to be released.