Post-election, NLV manager’s hold on job is tenuous

By Mike Trask

Friday, June 5, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Gregory Rose

Gregory Rose, the city manager of North Las Vegas, is breathing only a bit easier in the wake of Tuesday’s municipal election.

On Wednesday his contract was extended two years by a 3-2 vote of the City Council — the same divided support he had before the election. And because the makeup of the City Council will be changing, it’s unclear whether he’ll still enjoy majority support once the dust settles.

Rose offered to take a 5 percent pay cut — about $10,000 — to help the city save money. He also will give up a $300 monthly vehicle allowance, an annual health exam and the city’s match to his 401(k) retirement plan.

Councilmen William Robinson and Robert Eliason voted against Rose’s contract extension.

Robinson, who lost in his mayoral bid but remains as a councilman, has criticized Rose for not doing enough to ensure the city’s financial stability.

Councilwoman — and now mayor-elect — Shari Buck supported the extension, along with Mayor Mike Montandon and Councilwoman Stephanie Smith, both of whom will step down at the end of the month.

So where does this leave Rose, post-election?

Councilwoman-elect Anita Wood, who will replace Smith, is noncommital.

“He has a difficult job with five bosses,” Wood said. “I’m giving him some credit. At the same time there are the concerns.”

Wood will meet with Rose on Monday to discuss Rose’s plans for the city.

Rose will also face an annual public evaluation after the new council takes office.

And the other wild card: There’s now a vacancy on the City Council, and there’s no telling how that person will weigh in on Rose.

• • •

In addition to North Las Vegas — where Buck has been promoted to mayor, leaving her Ward 4 seat vacant — Henderson has to fill a City Council seat.

Councilman Andy Hafen won the Henderson mayoral race, leaving his Ward 2 seat open.

The new councils will decide whether to hold special elections or appoint new members to fill the last two years of the terms.

A bill passed in this year’s legislative session mandates that special elections be conducted by mail ballots only.

It’s likely both councils will appoint the new members to save money.

In North Las Vegas, names being whispered include Ned Thomas, a former planning commissioner who ran for mayor; Richard Cherchio, who ran for the seat in 2007 and runs a citizens group; and Jo Cato, a planning commissioner who also ran for the seat in 2007.

In Henderson, names being bandied about include Thomas Wagner, a Metro Police officer who lost to Hafen in 2007 by fewer than 200 votes, and Debra March, a planning commissioner and director of the Lied Institute for Real Estate Studies at UNLV.

• • •

There may not be much change in Boulder City’s government in the next two years.

Cam Walker, a development project manager, beat Bill Smith, a retired travel agent, to win a City Council seat Tuesday.

The election began with a crowded 10-candidate primary field.

Duncan McCoy, a former Boulder City Library director, won a seat outright in the primary when more than half of the voters chose him.

The race had the potential to bring major change to the city.

Since being elected in 2007, Council members Travis Chandler and Linda Strickland have discussed closing the city-owned Boulder Creek Golf Course and hinted at replacing City Manager Vicki Mayes.

However, they lacked a third vote.

And they still do.

Walker supports Mayor Roger Tobler — who attended Walker’s victory party — and shared advertising with McCoy.

The two new council members replace Mike Pacini, who could not run again because of term limits, and Andrea Anderson, who is retiring after two terms.