With only 7 days left until I cast my ballot I still have many offices to research and decide on who I'll vote for, today I turn my attention to the Secretary of State. To summerize, I support Ross Miller for Secretary of State.

Our current Secretary of State, Dean Heller, is running for the Nevada 2nd District Congressional seat and that means either Danny Tarkanian (son of the UNLV coaching legend 'Tark the Shark' Jerry Tarkanian, and city council member Lois Tarkanian) and Ross Miller son of former Nevada Governor Bob Miller are the serious contenders for the position that controls much of the record keeping for the State. Miller want to increase information access and decrease corporate fraud... that's enough for me... but let's explore a bit to make sure.

Of course both Miller and Tarkanian have several clips on YouTUBE. I found this John Walsh endorsement for Miller creditable...

And this clip speaks to the only issue Tarkanian has really focused on, photo ID for voting

Ross Miller spoorts building an online searchable database for documents, wants to increase access for Nevada Residents to both the voting booths and public data.[source video] So far, I'm having trouble finding one disagreeable facet of Miller, his vision for the position is a technology driven approach to solving public data access and voting access nad an investigative approach to solving corporate fraud. Miller wants to reform some of the Nevada corporate goverence laws and get tougher on corporate criminals, seems reasonable and timely.

As for Danny, I'm sure he'd be adequate, but he comes across as seriously 'out of touch' and one issue focused to me. I truly believe access and quality of record-keeping will suffer under someone who, as a top priority wants to institute a photo-id check, a procedure that does in fact add an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy to a process where citizens don't vote! A 60% voter turn-out is expected this election.

Some of the most in-depth examination material I found of the candidates is this Secretary of State debate MP3 from KNPR.

Danny focuses on the voting process and the "integrity of the voting process and only 'correct'.. legal votes will be counted" --[from the above MP3]. He wants to do this using driver licenses verification via the (right now it requires a water/power/phone bill). This is a problem, but, the drivers license isn't the solution. Miller's response seems far more reasoned coming from the stance of a District Attroney, it's a two pronged approach that will both increase record keeping access and use that ease of access to faciliate investigations into voter fraud.

This brings me to a final topic to touch on and that is the Nevada Voting Machines. Yes, they are made by Sequoia, no this doesn't mean squat and Venezuela is irrelevant. They require a paper trail and are as far as I can find the most secure machines being used. However, there was a bit of a flare up back in 98', but that was during a test long before anything was in place... and again reports of lower then expected turn-out in opposition to Tarkanian's unsupported hypothesis (put a link in the comments to the proof, or at least statistics that back this in NevadaI could find none) of people voting who shouldn't be these stories (and the statistics) support Miller's position of organized fraud and vote destruction, which I did find evidence of.

One final note for Danny Tarkanian, sohuld he read this, if your such a good businessman... why didn't the Reno Chamber of Commerce[RGJ] back you?

Posted by pokerprof at 4:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

See story: 3RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Uphill fight

Apparently said to Tessa Hafen as she passed out campaign literature by a woman who thought Tessa was passing out religious tracts, "I'm a Satan worshiper."

Actually, this might be the correct response to all political candidates during this last week before the elections.

Posted by Zounds Off at 6:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From Las Vegas Now:

Nevada's Gubernatorial Race Could Be a Dead Heat

The race for governor of Nevada is getting closer. New polls show Republican Congressman Jim Gibbons with a six-point lead over Democrat Dina Titus.

Congressman Gibbons has two issues he's deflecting. He denies assaulting a woman in a Las Vegas parking garage and his people say eleven years ago his wife hiring an undocumented worker was looked into and dealt with.

Dina Titus jumped on the issues with campaign ads. She says voters are shifting in her direction.

But now Metro police claim they have surveilance tapes from the garage where Mazzeo claims the assault took place. If the tapes exonerate Gibbons, it will prove that Titus wasn't smart enough to take a high road position. It would have been so easy to simply admit the allegations appear serious but that she had faith that the facts would come out in subsequent investigation. They might not but if the allegations blew up, she would not be covered with egg. The only winner in this mess is attorney Richard Wright, who has made sure that a day does not go by without his free advertising, I mean an on air interview with the media.

Posted by Zounds Off at 4:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One of the most confounding issues before Nevada voters this election is the issue of modification to our existing tobacco laws by amending them to include either Question 4 (the Responsibly Protect Nevadans From Second-Hand Smoke Act) or Question 5 (the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act).

I suggest, if you don't want a ban vote NO on both and if you want a smoking ban, vote no on 4 and yes on question 5. Now for the why... Our existing law in Nevada is in Chapter 202 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. The area were most interested in is 202.2491, in particular section 1 (a-g) which I'll paraphrase as:

Smoking tobacco is unlawful in certain public places including... elevators, public building, any medical facility and doctor offices, child care facilities, buses and arcades.

QUESTION 4. - Responsibly Protect Nevadans From Second-Hand Smoke Act

Section 2 now permits smoking public places including, all gaming establishments, bar, clubs, Retail Stores, any establishment with gaming devices... which is Nevada includes most neighborhood drug and grocery stores. In other words Question 4 adds more public smoking areas and more importantly it also adds "section 5 - All power over the regulation of smoking of tobacco shall be exclusively vested in the legislature of the State of Nevada" [emphasis added]. In other words pass this and Nevada will have to find a way to wrest the new-found power away from the easily seduced local politicians who will undoubtedly be influenced by the powerful gaming, tobacco, restaurant etc lobbies, it's an expansion of Govt. power plain and simple.

Question 5 - Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act

Question 5 is the real smoking ban and it's a harsh one, this is the only question of importance in my mind, Question 4 shouldn't pass, weather people want a smoking ban or not, if not leave the existing law in place and if so it's Question 5 that should get your yes.

Question 5 greatly expands the scope of our existing tobacco laws to basically prevent smoking any places that isn't 21 and over (a simple summary, but you can read the full law by clicking on the Question above). It doesn't try to take the power away from citizens to impact this area of the law as Question 4 does. It expands the power of Gov't, but is not nearly the egregious slap on the face that is Question 4.

Posted by pokerprof at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

First I noticed the John Ensign Question and Answer over at InBusiness... all softball questions with polished answers... what's missing the stance on Iraq, in fact the biggest issue of this election is mentioned only in passing... When asked:

The federal budget deficit has increased dramatically during the past six years although it dropped from its expected level this year. What are your thoughts on the budget deficit, and who is to blame for the ballooning national debt?

When President Bush took office, he inherited an economy in recession and 9/11 hit shortly after that, which sent us into a deeper recession. We also had to start spending money on Homeland Security and we had to spend money on the war in Afghanistan and, eventually, the war in Iraq.

Next a great find at CrazyMonk is the You TUBE that's part of a documentary centered around the Prop. 7 issue. What's interesting is the Sandy Heverly bit at the end. She's a tough one... unless were taking about drunks at Strip Clubs that is, then she rolls over. Fun to listen to this holier-then-thou talk about question seven, then deny; by trying to refocus the question on the drinking and driving that she ever said a word about it. Smacks of intellectual dishonesty in my opinion.

Posted by pokerprof at 6:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dina Titus, speaking for the first time about her opponent's alleged assault on a Las Vegas cocktail waitress, said Tuesday that the incident shows that Republican Jim Gibbons exhibits bad judgment.

The Democrats' U.S. Senate Minority Leader, Harry Reid, said the incident adds to reasons why Titus should win the election.

Just when Gibbons had pretty much written his own page in the book of stupid actions, these two Nevada democrats couldn't resist temptation and remain quiet and leave Gibbons to write his epitath and instead show they don't know when to keep quiet (especially Reid with his own rewriting of the meaning of windfall land sale) and prove that they too can still write a page themselves. I think we have seen enough on TV and read enough to know how we feel about the situation and the democrats could have shown a bit more class by leaving Gibbons to suffer by his own hand.

Posted by Zounds Off at 2:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From Las Vegas Sun:

Casino operator Boyd Gaming Corp. said Thursday it posted a third-quarter loss due to competition in the market for Las Vegas residents and a charge on the sale of its South Coast Hotel and Casino.

The company also blamed a three-day shutdown of casinos in Atlantic City, N.J., in July and higher marketing costs when the casinos reopened.

Las Vegas-based Boyd lost $12.9 million, or 15 cents per share, compared with a profit of $32.9 million, or 36 cents per share, in the third quarter a year ago.

Ford post its biggest losses ever, the housing market is in a dive, and gaming companies start to lose money...? Read my Print--There is no strong economy!

But Harrah's third-quarter profit rose 5 percent (see nwitimes.com), helped by strong performances at its Las Vegas properties. So I guess everything IS ok after all. Just a few problems in health care, education, social security, job creation, trade deficits, fences on the border....

Posted by Zounds Off at 6:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nevada recorded 1,919 foreclosures in September, according to the latest available statistics from RealtyTrac.com, a real estate research firm.

That's a 237 percent increase over the number of foreclosures recorded in September 2005, and a rate of one new foreclosure filing for every 452 households.

The state's foreclosure rate is the second highest in the country, ranking behind Colorado.

And it is not just in Nevada; Joel Hirschhorn reports "[u]p to 4 percent of America's mortgaged homeowners might lose their homes to foreclosure in coming months, one of the nation's largest lenders predicted recently, as those homeowners find themselves trapped by heavy debt and the housing slump. That's four times worse than the historical average of 1 in 100 mortgaged homeowners who fail to keep up payments. First American Loan Performance, a mortgage-data company based in San Francisco, says overall the national foreclosure rate has climbed 27% from a year ago with an estimated $110 billion worth of homes expected to go into foreclosure. Rick Sharga, a vice-president at RealtyTrac, said recently 'Over a trillion dollars is going to readjust in the next 15 months. We had almost 850,000 foreclosures last year and we are at 913,000 through September.' He predicted that national foreclosures could hit 1.2 million to 1.3 million by the end of this year."

I only hope that the ones who lose the house are the ones who thought they would make a killing in real estate. Somehow, by the time the infomercials come out, the market is already saturated with sharks on a feeding frenzy. Those still left in the water at the end do tend to bleed. However, I noticed that none of our "outstanding" candidates (standing out for their blandness and ineptness) seem to have noticed this problem--except for Brian Kroliki who calls it "Magic."

Posted by Zounds Off at 6:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

New charges filed against Las Vegas developer in bribery case

New federal charges have been lodged against a developer already awaiting trial on corruption charges involving a former Clark County commissioner.

72-year-old Donald Davidson is accused of discussing bribing an unnamed Las Vegas city council member to obtain a zone change for a Davidson project in 2002.

....

Davidson and his son, Lawrence Davidson, have pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from allegations they funneled $200,000 to former county Commissioner Erin Kenny in 2002.

City council members, county commissioners, state officials...does anyone just say no?

Posted by Zounds Off at 5:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Jack Carter supports a significent change to our approach to Iraq, from Carter's campaign site:

Jack Carter supports a "stick and carrot" approach. The stick is a promise to withdraw our troops from the country unless the Iraqi government makes quick and steady progress toward an inclusive structure which has support from the Sunnis, the Kurds, and the Shi'a. I have no objection to any formulation of this structure so long as there is general support.

Jack Carter's Ad on Iraq:

From Jon Ensign according to an article from the Las Vegas Sun:

"Carter's opponent, Republican incumbent John Ensign, an ardent supporter of the war, declined to be interviewed for this story, instead issuing a statement that echoed language used by Bush and his surrogates in speeches last week.

"The situation in Iraq is difficult, but we need to remember that this battle is the frontline in our fight against radical Islamic extremists," Ensign's statement said.

"If we leave now without finishing the job, we will only embolden our enemy and invite another attack on our homeland. The security of our country should not be decided by political winds, but instead by keeping the safety of Americans as our top priority."

In recent months, Ensign has said he opposes a timetable for withdrawing troops and firmly stands behind his 2002 vote to authorize the use of military force in Iraq."

My opinion follows...

Ensign is one of the members of our Senate incapable of independent thought or expression, based on his voting record (complete record). If we retain this mode of thinking for another two years our executive branch will lose all motivation to alter the course of the War in Iraq. Without the motivation provided by a democratic and free thinking Senate and House we can count on an additional two years in the same old direction. The same old direction on Social Issues, Spending, (lack of) campaign finance reform and most importantly to the American People, the same old direction in the War on Iraq.

I'm down for Carter in this election...

In other news, while researching this article I ran across a YouTube ad from the UNLV Young Democrats it's long and at times almost painful; however, it's an issue that many in America understand implicitly...Student loans suck.

Posted by pokerprof at 12:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I've added 43 sites to the list so far and set up the Search Engine to allow other to add new sites as they are discovered... welcome to the Google Powered Nevada News and Politics Search:

Posted by pokerprof at 9:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In my attempt to gather information to make an informed decision on all the election issues and candiates I've run across several resources which are excellent resources for any Nevada voter seeking information:

Nevada Political Canidates and Information (politics1.com)
Judging the Judges (LVRJ)
Rothenberg Political Report
D.C. political report - Nevada

Posted by pokerprof at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Because of Exit Polling Laws (which are being found unconstitutional across the Nation) it's difficult to pin down numbers for the elections in Nevada.

According to a report it looks like John Ensign(R) will hold onto his seat and beat out Jack Carter(D) unless there is a significant development in the next week and a half. John Ensign is reportedly leading Carter by 9 points in the polls. I still intend to support Carter as part of my 'throw them all out' voting policy this election.

The reportedly close race between Titus(D) and Gibbons(R) for Governor is now shifting in favor of Titus as conservative voters frown greatly on sexual impropriety. Jim Gibbons exploits with a waitress has received national attention:

Nevada Congressman Jim Gibbons, a Republican with a narrow lead for an open seat, denied accusations last week of assaulting a cocktail waitress and propositioning her for sex after an evening of drinking. The woman called police, gave a statement but did not press charges - though she also did not recant her accusations.

I believe the Republicans will continue to hold the Senate and are likely to retain control of the House as well, simply because they are willing to do everything possible to win, this report states my reasoning for this.

Posted by pokerprof at 5:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A local PBS debate on the issue (16 min 30 seconds):

KTNV Question Proflie (6 min 30 seconds):

Both of these offer some insight into an issue that is high on Nevada voters radar and sparking controversy nation wide... Will pot be legal in Nevada?

With the of the major religious communities as outlined here:

The slick high-dollar ads:

And the ability to supress some of the opposition, it has a better than fair chance.

Should this pass it will become a test-case for the National debate and puts Nevada completely at odds with Federal Law and the DEA. Is 'stay the course' the right direction in the 'war on drugs' or is this too a war that's gone wrong... and requires a complete change of strategy?

Posted by pokerprof at 9:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Ten Questions (Question #3 was removed) face Nevada and Las Vegas voters on November 7. Six of these Questions will, if passed, amend our State Constitution, the most powerful, sacred document created by a State. I urge voters to be extremely cautious and practice due restraint concerning any addition of text to this most important document of the people. In general, the longer and wordier the amendment, the more cautious you should be when deciding your vote on that Question. If your looking for an in-depth look at Nevada Smoking Legislation and 2006 ballot Question 4 and Question 5 including the actual language and impact click the above text.

First, my vote recommendations...

Question 1: YES
Question 2: NO
Question 3: REMOVED
Question 4: NO
Question 5: NO
Question 6: YES
Question 7: YES
Question 8: NO
Question 9: NO
Question 10: NO
Question 11: NO

Feel free to mark your samle ballot with the above recommendations and take it to the polls when you vote. Continue reading my analysis of the ten questions.

Now for a more in-depth look at the Questions and my logic in deciding a Yea or Nay vote.

Question 1: Fund Public School before any other part of the State budget?

YES. As Zounds Off has pointed out our State currently ranks 49th in overall education in the country, with only Arizona in worse academic shape. Passage of Question 1 will simply make it less of a problem and force our representatives to face it first and foremost. The Education of our citizens at a City, County and State level is the single most important factor in determining our ability as a society to face the challenges of the future.

I don't believe this will fix our education system in Nevada and I'll leave the comprehensive analysis of this issue to Zounds Off. His formidable education and school system background makes him an expert with an informed and reasonable voice.

Question 2: Amend the Nevada Constitution "to provide that the transfer of property from one private party to another private party is not considered a public use; to provide that the property taken for a public use must be of the highest and best use; to provide that fair market value in eminent domain proceedings be defined as the 'highest price the property would bring on the open market;' and to make certain other changes to eminent domain proceeding.

NO. After several readings and consulting with some well placed friends I can say without doubt that this is one of the worst questions, both in terms of readability and actual impact to ever appear as a ballot question...anywhere. It creates substantial bureaucracy that will benefit rich, powerful land-owners who will be able to negotiate the 'highest price' from their land after it's 'mysteriously' selected for public projects. At the same time it creates a mountain of language subject to interruption that will prevent middle class property holders from effectively combating any proceedings. The eminent domain process is broken; however, it's an overdone steak and cooking it with another 400+ words of Constitutional language does nothing to address the problem, it only adds more confusing layers and makes the problem worse.

Question 3: REMOVED

Question 4: Prohibit smoking tobacco in certain public places, except all areas of casinos, gaming areas within establishments holding gaming licenses, bars and certain other locations?

NO. This is an overreaching of the government's powers limiting our freedoms and benefiting the powerful corporations and special interests. On issues like this people can, and should, use their dollars to vote rather then enacting legislation that will impact everyone without consideration. If an establishment has smokers and that offends, then don't spend your money there, boycott the establishment! We have the freedom to choose. In addition, enforcement of something this broad is an administrative nightmare that is impossible, it's protection is limited (although anyone with a gaming license is basically exempt), and it gives incredible powers to the State legislature, granting exclusive powers in regulation and enforcement.

(See also: My in-depth look at Nevada Smoking Legislation and 2006 ballot Question 4 and Question 5)
Question 5: Limit smoking Tobacco in certain public places, in all bars with a food-handling license, but excluding gaming areas of casinos and certain other locations?

NO. For the same reasons as question 4. Again, this goes against freedoms of small property owners and gives language that will greatly benefit special interests and big business. Yes this is the real smoking ban (question 4 actually expands the places people will be able to smoke), however; I find this extension of the law far more offensive then second-hand smoke.

Question 6: Amends the State Constitution to Raise the Minimum Wage?

YES. The entire society benefits when those at the lowest levels are elevated; again, this won't solve our poverty problem; however, it will ease the burden on thousand's of Nevada's poor and besides these people will spend that extra income rather then hoarding it in tax shelters, hedge funds and trusts.

Question 7: Legalize an ounce of marijuana for those over 21.

YES. Tax benefit to the State, medical value to the substance, and the added benefit of easing the burden on our local and state law enforcement agencies. The list goes on. It's been my experience that people are 'pre-decided' on this issue, but nothing makes a substance easier to control then legalization, taxation and regulation.

Question 8: Exempt the sales tax on used vehicles and farm equipment.

NO. It is estimated we'd lose $70 million in taxes to the state if this question is approved and it will, as usual, substantially benefit the wealthy and offer little benefit to middle and lower class residents. Simply put, because of the 'wealthy only' realized benefit, it's a thumbs down; but, if the farm equipment exemption were removed and a cap on the exemption set in place, say up to a $10,000 value, I'd reconsider; but, as it stands this will harm our standard of living, not help it, unless your trading in the Jag.

Question 9: Amend the State Constitution "to provide for the election of the Board of Reagents of the University of Nevada and for the gubernatorial appointment of certain members, and to specify the number and terms of the members"?

NO. We would be giving up the right to vote on positions of power in our state's higher education system and concentrate that power in the Governor which will open the door wide to cronyism and an abuse of unilateral power.

Question 10: Amend the Constitution to change the provisions regarding special sessions of the Legislature to provide that a special session may be convened by a petition signed by two-thirds of the legislatures of each house; to limit the duration of special sessions to 20 days; and to limit the matters which may be considered in a special session?

NO. Expansion of the power of a governing body to include self governance is an open invitation to heinous abuse of power. Give the State Supreme Court this power, let it stay with the Governor who can call special sessions at the behest of the people, but don't place this power in the hands of the legislators themselves.

Question 11: Shall the Nevada Constitution be amended "to provide for the payment and compensation to members of the legislature for each day of service during regular and special sessions and to provide for the payment of reasonable allowances to legislators for postage, newspapers, telecommunications, and stationary.

NO. The limitations on the payments to legislature members serve two purposes. First, it encourages a timely resolution of government matters; and second, it prevents over-compensation of the already well compensated. If there were substantial limitations on the ability of special interests groups and lobbyists to line the pockets of our legislators this would be a fair compromise; but as it stands, it would be a tax-payer money sink benefiting only a select few representatives.

Please feel free to offer your comments and thoughts. Our current state of the state is far too important to ignore. Read carefully what I've outlined and if you agree then mark your sample ballot accordingly and take it to the polls when you vote. Most importantly, vote!

Posted by pokerprof at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The transcript from ABC's This Week that aired on Sunday October 22nd:

BUSH: Well, hey, listen, we've never been "stay the course," George. We have-we will complete the mission, we will do our job, and help achieve the goal, but we're constantly adjusting to tactics. Constantly.

And the video of this event.

To fully appricate this I suggest a plentiful helping of quality tributes to 'Stay the Course'. The seems Double-Minus Bad to me.

The other night Lou Dobbs asked for "no more stay the course" and Bush has responded "We've never been stay the course". I can't wait to see the media play with this one.

Truly a great Bushism.

Posted by pokerprof at 5:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Backers of Nevada pot measure sue to block official opposition
In Las Vegas Sun; by Ken Ritter, Associated Press
LAS VEGAS (AP) - Sponsors of a Nevada ballot initiative to legalize marijuana asked a state court Thursday to order elected officials and a police lieutenant to stop speaking out against the measure.
"Nobody's tax dollars should be used to tell people how to vote," said Neal Levine, manager of the Committee to Regulate and Control Marijuana, which backs Question 7 on the Nov. 7 ballot. The measure would make Nevada the first state to tax and regulate the legal sale of up to an ounce of marijuana to those 21 and older.

Sounds like the same political stunt Jerry Airola is pursuing against outgoing Sheriff Bill Young, who has presided over the fastest rise in crime statistics in Clark County of which I am aware. I just can't get excited over the argument that since some powerful drugs are legal, others should be legal also. But filing the law suit gets media play; my question is where is all the money coming from for slick television ads, mailers, door to door contacts, and now a law suit?
Plus, much of their campaign is either wrong or misleading at best.
One can always find a few "experts" to support your position, but these people are as slick as a republican ad. (read big money) Their claims:
No one has ever died from smoking marijuana.
However, One study found that marijuana smokers were three times more likely to develop cancer of the head or neck than non-smokers. Many researchers believe than smoking marijuana is overall more harmful to the lungs than smoking tobacco. http://alcoholism.about.com/od/pot/a/effects.htm
The initiative will make our communities safer.
They argue that legalizing marijuana for those over 21 will take money out of violent gangs and drug dealers. Why? Will 12 year olds suddenly have no desire to try pot? Will the market supplied by criminals just stop? About 6,000 people a day in 2004 used marijuana for the first time, 2.1 million Americans. Of these, 63.8 percent were under age 18. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
Other statistics include:
THC impairs the body's immune system from fighting disease.
THC increases the risk of developing bacterial infections and tumors.
Marijuana smoke contains 50 to 70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than does tobacco smoke.
Prenatal marijuana exposure can cause:
- Altered responses to visual stimuli
- Increased tremulousness
- Problems with sustained attention and memory
- Poor problem-solving skills
And as a final point:
Students who smoke marijuana get lower grades and are less likely to graduate from high school, compared with their nonsmoking peers.

In a state which ranks at the bottom for high school graduation, any legislation which suggests marijuana use is OK as long as you are 21 would seem to be the result of smoking the weed itself, ie. distorted perceptions.

Posted by Zounds Off at 5:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Las Vegas News:

The woman who accused gubernatorial candidate Jim Gibbons of assault won't press charges, but the event has cast a dark shadow over the candidate's reputation.

Gbbons admitted to police that he and political consultant Sig Rogich had been drinking with Chrissy Mazzeo, her friend, and several others after dinner that night. Gibbons says he was helping Mazzeo find her truck in the parking lot when she tripped.

But apparently she has hired attorney Richard Wright. Stupid question of the day. Why would you take a drunk woman to her truck, anyway? Too much to drink, yourself?

Posted by Zounds Off at 3:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Default is a looming danger for the Las Vegas Monorail after low fares failed to draw enough riders and a fare hike chased off too many passengers, according to a bleak financial analysis released Tuesday.

The assessment by Fitch Ratings, a New York-based credit rating firm, also dropped the monorail's bond rating further into "junk" status, possibly imperiling plans to extend the $650 million line to McCarran International Airport and around the Strip.

For more see The Las Vegas News.

Don't get me started--more than the monorail can do.

Posted by Zounds Off at 3:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Arizona ranks as dumbest state in the U.S.

Morgan Quinto Press ranked states by a number of education factors, including dropout and graduation rates, school test scores and proficiency ratings, teacher salaries, student-teacher ratios and public school spending.

Before anyone gets too excited in Las Vegas, Nevada ranked 49th, just behind California and Mississippi. Is anyone seeing a problem where the fastest growing states are at the bottom of the education ladder? Is there any correlation to the illegal immigrant problems these states are burdened with? Will a fence have any impact at all? According to the Washington Post a report released by the Inter-American Development Bank estimates that immigrants living in the United States will send $4.5 billion to family members this year, up from about $2 billion in 1980. Why would Latin American countries, especially Mexico, have to work at improving their economies with this free money entering their countries--money that is not circulating in the economies of the states here where the workers live.

Posted by Zounds Off at 12:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While still embroiled in an embittered brouhaha in Rhode Island over its plans to build and operate a casino with the Narragansett tribe (Raucous debate over casino), and still considering bids from Texas Pacific Group and Apollo Management, Harrah's Entertainment (HET.N), the world's biggest casino operator, extended the offer deadline for London Clubs International (LCI.L) a second time, as it seeks to purchase the company for $530 million.

Is there anyone left for Harrah's to invite to dinner?

Posted by Zounds Off at 11:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I stumbled upon this article in the NY Time Op-Ed section called The G.O.P.'s Bad Bet written by Charles Murray.

It's interesting that someone aside from online poker players are paying attention to Bill Frist attaching the IUEGA to the Port Security Bill when he knew no one during an election year would dare vote against anti-terror legislation. Murray suggests that the backlash could hurt Republicans come election day in November.

Here's an exceprt:

Last week President Bush signed a law that will try to impede online gambling by prohibiting American banks from transferring money to gambling sites. Most Americans probably didn't notice or care, but it may do significant political damage to the Republicans this fall and long-term damage to Americans' respect for the law.

So, a month before a major election, the Republicans have allied themselves with a scattering of voters who are upset by online gambling and have outraged the millions who love it. Furthermore, judging from many hours of online chat with Internet poker players, I am willing to bet (if you'll pardon the expression) that the outraged millions are disproportionately electricians, insurance agents, police officers, mid-level managers, truck drivers, small-business owners - that is, disproportionately Republicans and Reagan Democrats.

In the short term, this law all by itself could add a few more Democratic Congressional seats in the fall elections. We are talking about a lot of people (an estimated 23 million Americans gamble online) who are angry enough to vote on the basis of this one issue, and they blame Republicans... More

Posted by Dr. Pauly at 9:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by FlipChip LasVegasVegas.com

Harrah's owns the largest chunk of the Las Vegas Strip.

The primary concern expressed by mainstream media is that of an undervalued buyout bid, even with the increased offer offer $15.5 Billion(US). However, even if a price is agreed upon, Harrah's stockholders should beware of any deal involving Leon D. Black, founder of Apollo Management. Apollo is one of the primary players behind the recent Harrah's buyout offer. Mr. Black has a histoy of questionable conduct and it even appears to run in the family.

Here's a thumbnail of Leon D. Black

Pay attention to this deal as the parties involved are some of the most ruthless and effective in any business. After all, Black's self professed purpose in life is to create the Robber Barons of the future...I suppose that makes him the Robber King.

I surely do miss the mob run Vegas of old. At least back then you knew who they were and what to expect.

photo by FlipChip LasVegasVegas.com

Harrah's on the Las Vegas Strip.

Posted by pokerprof at 12:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

In the wake of his million dollar scandal...Let's look at Harry's sterling record of accomplishments.

Harry Reid's January 17, 2006 press release:
"The idea of Republicans reforming themselves is like asking John Gotti to clean up organized crime. I thought I’d seen the last of corruption when I helped clean up Las Vegas thirty years ago. But, while its not quite the mafia of Las Vegas in the 1970s, what is happening today in Washington is every bit as corrupt and the consequences for our country have been just as severe."

Reid's Coyote Springs Valley Scandal: Over the last four years, Reid has used his influence in Washington to help the developer, Nevada super-lobbyist Whittemore, clear obstacles from Coyote Springs' path.

Boxing: The Nevada senator still believes it was "entirely permissible" for him to accept ringside seats for three professional boxing matches in 2004 and 2005 from the Nevada Athletic Commission but has nonetheless decided to avoid doing so in the future.

Protégé: Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he does not regret his relationship with Dario Herrera, a former Clark County commissioner sentenced to federal prison after being convicted of conspiracy, wire fraud, and extortion.

Abramhoff: Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid wrote at least four letters helpful to Indian tribes represented by Jack Abramoff, and the senator's staff regularly had contact with the disgraced lobbyist's partners about legislation affecting other clients. They occurred over three years as Reid collected about $68,000 in donations from Abramoff's firm, lobbying partners, and clients.

Real Estate: Reid successfully pushed legislation in 2002 that opened tens of thousands of acres of federal land for private development by none other than his sons' employers. The legislation ... never mentioned the companies that stood to benefit or his sons' connections to them.

Plus, when Reid was Nevada Gaming Commissioner, he was believed by many law enforcement agents to be "Mr. Clean" spoken of by Tropicana mobster, Joseph Agosto, caught bragging of his influence with on an FBI wiretap. (See The Money and the Power, by Sally Denton and Roger Morris, pg. 336.)

Friends with Jay Brown, who orchestrated his latest deal "earning" more than a million dollars for Harry and whose name has surfaced in organized crime investigations. (FMNN)

It seems having Harry Reid take on corruption is almost EXACTLY like asking John Gotti to clean up organized crime. When Harry claims to have cleaned up Las Vegas 30 years ago, was that when he left Las Vegas, moving on to state and then finally national politics? I wonder what Harry thinks of Leon D. Black's role in the buyout offer of Harrah's. Jealousy?

Posted by Zounds Off at 8:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While Harrah's has its own buyout offer to consider, Columbia Sussex Corp.will meet with employees of Tropicana Casino and Resort to discuss plans for the casino under its new ownership, including possible job cuts.

Aztar Corp. shareholders will vote Tuesday whether to approve the $2.75 billion merger that will give Columbia ownership of Tropicana and four other Aztar casinos in Nevada, Indiana and Missouri.

For more go to Press of Atlantic City.

Posted by Zounds Off at 1:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

'3 Square' Aims to Eliminate Hunger in Las Vegas. From News 8:

Some major Las Vegas gaming corporations and business leaders have gotten together and are taking a new approach in helping the homeless and hungry in the area.

The major gaming corporations are MGM Mirage, Station Casinos, Harrah's Entertainment and Boyd Gaming.

I have a plan which will eliminate homelessness in Las Vegas and reduce corruption at the same time. All we do is bus all the local politicians and committee members to California and Arizona, and then we put the homeless into all the vacant offices and let them run the show, or at least sleep in peace. I bet there will be an immediate improvement all around.

Posted by Zounds Off at 1:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From the Las Vegas Review Journal:
Lack of integrity laid bare

Stink still wafts from city's deals with Bill Walters

On Friday, Attorney General George Chanos released a detailed report that confirms what an increasingly cynical public already knows: Las Vegas officials consummated not one, but two potentially illegal deals to enrich a politically connected businessman at taxpayer expense, and tried to do a third.

Mr. Walters secured a favorable long-term lease on about 160 acres of city property to construct and operate the Royal Links Golf Club next to a sewage treatment plant. Just before the course opened, Mr. Walters purchased the land outright for $894,000 and was given wastewater credits that allowed him to irrigate his course for about 15 percent of the watering costs accrued by his competitors. (Later, Walters asked for an received a lifting of a deed restriction so he could turn his golf course into a residential development worth several million dollars more in value.)

According to the investigative report prepared by the Senn Meulemans law firm, Mr. Goecke (former Public Works Director Richard Goecke) "seemed to place the interests of real estate developer Bill Walters above the interests of the City of Las Vegas and its constituents, in breach of the public purpose doctrine."

Moreover, if the City Council re-authorizes the removal of Mr. Walters' deed restriction -- Mayor Oscar Goodman has said he supports such an action -- that too would violate the public purpose doctrine, the report says.

Plenty of players in last year's drama are still on the city payroll. What, exactly, were City Attorney Brad Jerbic and City Manager Doug Selby doing to protect taxpayers? Not much, according to the report.

Posted by Zounds Off at 7:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Southern Nevada Educators Get a Reality Check.

One of the nation's leading experts in education says no matter how you do the math, Nevada students are at or near the bottom when compared to students in other states, and even other developed countries.

Southern Nevada educators and business leaders were assaulted with a slew of statistics Wednesday, none of which painted a positive picture about education in Nevada.

Rock bottom or close to it -- that was the bottom line of the PowerPoint presentation by the director of the Washington-based education advocacy group called the Education Trust.

Kati Haycock, public education analyst, said, "Though we're the richest country and spend more money than virtually every other developed nation, our 15 year olds aren't doing so well."

Haycock says in an international comparison of 15-year-old students, the U.S. ranked 25th out of 29 developed nations. In a state-to-state comparison, Nevada's 4th grade students ranked fourth from the bottom in reading.

But I thought being at the bottom of the list was just Democratic scare tactics for Nevada.

Posted by Zounds Off at 5:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Review Journal Editorial

Democrats love to tell voters that Nevada is at the "bottom of every list ranking all 50 states."

In fact, though, they exhibit selective amnesia -- Nevada is not the cellar-dweller Democrats have made it out to be. A study released Wednesday by the Tax Foundation says Nevada has the fourth-best business tax climate in the country. By comparison, Nevada neighbors Arizona and California ranked 28th and 45th, respectively.

Plaudits for Nevada industry go on and on. In May, Inc. magazine named Las Vegas the nation's hottest "boom town" for entrepreneurs. In February, the Milken Institute put Las Vegas among its 20 Best Performing Cities, rating its economic performance and ability to create and sustain jobs in the top tier of 379 metropolitan areas surveyed. Entrepreneur magazine recently ranked Las Vegas the nation's fourth-best big city for new business.

Wow! I guess it doesn’t matter that Nevada ranks at the bottom of the list for education as long as businesses keep springing up. What this editorial doesn’t address is, while applauding the number of new businesses forming, is how many businesses fail after a year or two. And some areas where Las Vegas does top the “list” now is in violent crimes and car theft, identity theft and prescription drug use. (And while alcohol and prescription drug use is rampant, there is an initiative to legalize marijuana use in Nevada. I guess if you give the public cheaper dope and movies on demand, they won't notice the stink of corruption and the theft of their future.) I personally would rather be at the bottom of those lists.
The editorial also fails to mention that from 2001 to 2005 home prices rose about 30 percent a year while wages only rose 26 percent for the whole five years. (And I bet if you take out the wage raises of the top one percent in Vegas, including casino owners, developers, and the like, that 26 percent would fall.) With 7,000 new residents coming here a month, businesses don’t have to use higher wages to attract workers. The truth is that quality of life, strength of the infrastructure, and the future of our children are at the bottom of the list; paving the Las Vegas valley is at the top of the list.

Posted by Zounds Off at 5:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061012/NEWS/610120337/1002/NEWS">WIRE AND STAFF REPORTS:

Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada is denying a report that he collected a $1.1 million windfall on a Las Vegas land sale.
The Nevada Democrat's deal was engineered by Jay Brown, a longtime friend and former casino lawyer whose name surfaced in a major political bribery trial this summer and in other prior organized crime investigations, according to the Associated Press. Brown has never been charged with wrongdoing except for a 1981 federal securities complaint that was settled out of court.
The deal began in 1998 when Reid bought undeveloped residential property on Las Vegas' booming outskirts for about $400,000. Reid bought one lot outright, and a second parcel jointly with Brown. One of the sellers was a developer who was benefiting from a government land swap that Reid supported. The seller never talked to Reid.
In 2001, Reid sold the land for the same price to a limited liability corporation created by Brown. The senator didn't disclose the sale on his annual public ethics report or tell Congress he had any stake in Brown's company. He continued to report to Congress that he personally owned the land.
After getting local officials to rezone the property for a shopping center, Brown's company sold the land in 2004 to other developers, and Reid took $1.1 million of the proceeds, nearly tripling the senator's investment. Reid reported it to Congress as a personal land sale.
The complex dealings allowed Reid to transfer ownership, legal liability and some tax consequences to Brown's company without public knowledge, but still collect a seven-figure payoff nearly three years later.
Have local officials ever met a politician, developer, or shady character for whom they wouldn't rezone a tract of land. And all this while Harry's son Rory claims that he alone has fought the special interest groups against uncontrolled growth in the valley.

Posted by Zounds Off at 4:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From Lahontan Valley News:

Q: Nevada has the highest gas prices in the continental U.S., why?

A: That's new. We're usually lower than California, but not this time around. I don't have a definite answer for that. If we went six months with Nevada being the highest in the country there might be some alarm, but I think that'll probably go down to normal next month. Our gas prices have fallen substantially in the last two months, about 43 cents statewide. That's not as large as the national average, which has been a 75 cent decrease in the last two months.

Posted by Zounds Off at 3:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From NBC:

On Wednesday morning, educators, legislators, business and community leaders came together at UNLV to discuss ways to improve our state's public education system....
For example, when it comes to fourth grade reading, [Nevada] students only score better than students in Mississippi.

Thank some deity for Mississippi although someone should check statistics--Mississippi may be passing Nevada as I write this. Can Nevada citizens, who are the result of failed Nevada education, fix the problem or will they simply bring in another "California solution?"

Posted by Zounds Off at 3:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by FlipChip LasVegasVegas.com

What is more American than Poker, Playboy and the Palms?

Our Conservative United States Congress, in a desperate effort to do something Right, did something wrong...again! They've declared Internet Gambling to be evil and illegal.

Congress' conduct is Un-American!

Conservatives have infiltrated the Legislative Branch and the Executive Office. The Supreme Court is on trial and teetering to the Right. A Moral Curtain has descended around America.

It's not the Communist Reds that Freedom has to fear, but the Conservative Whites who are taking away our rights. They've decided the citizens of this country should not gamble on the Internet.

Restricting American's right to gamble violates the history, tradition and culture of America. It's Un-Patriotic!

Americans have always been gamblers.

Early Colonists braved uncertain seas and a treacherous environment to win a new beginning. It was a dangerous land abundant with obstacles and opportunity. Only the most rugged, self-reliant, independent individuals willing to take risks were attracted to the "New World".

Neither was American Independence a gift, it was won. The Founding Fathers were courageous competitors who staked their lives in a no-limit contest with Britain, the world's strongest player.

In 1787, fifty-five American revolutionaries gathered at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. When the Founding Fathers finished they had created a new nation based on the principles of Democracy and Free Enterprise Capitalism. It was a natural, ideal system for a nation of self-reliant gamblers.

In early America, character was an especially precious value for it included a man's courage, competitiveness, wisdom, and discipline. Gambling was popular with Americans because it appealed to their character and was an intimate part of their national experience.

With the Louisiana Purchase, gambling flourished throughout the early frontier settlements and waterways. New Orleans, a gambling town from its beginnings in the early 1700s, is described by historian Herbert Asbury as "The fountain-head of gambling in this country." Riverboats and gamblers spread from New Orleans, up the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers and throughout the vast interior of America.

The riverboat gambler became a paramount figure on the American frontier in fact as well as in fiction. The image of a charming, honorable gentleman, but shrewd competitor having a generous, kind heart, eventually became a uniquely American self-concept celebrated in books and movies.

It is no surprise that Poker originated here and grew with the country. It's as American as baseball, the 4th of July, or apple pie. Having been an intimate part of our history and heritage, Poker reflects much of the American character and culture.

Poker especially resonated across the land because it appealed to basic American values. It was entrepreneurial. After all, a poker game is a perfect model of the free enterprise system. Whether it is Poker or Business, the card table or the stock market, each individual risks an investment to make a profit through "luck 'n pluck", wit and wisdom.

Throughout the 19th Century, gambling continued to play an intimate roll in the history and development of the United States. America's "Westward Movement" was led by gamblers, gunslingers, and gold hunters.

The Gold Rush in 1848 brought the dreamers, risk-takers and gamblers to California. San Francisco, through which the gold hunters came, became the premier gambling city in the West. Eventually, Virginia City, Denver, Kansas City, El Paso, Santa Fe, Abilene, Dodge City, Deadwood, and Tombstone became notorious gambling towns of the American West.

So prevalent was gambling throughout the West it became part of America's cultural legend and legacy. Gamblers like Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson and Wild Bill Hickock became American heroes in fact and fiction.

The late 19th Century and early 20th Century witnessed the industrialization of America. A new form of gambling, stock speculation captured the country's penchant for gambling. The New York Stock Exchange was the house; brokers were the players.

Then, on a Tuesday in October, 1929, the game went broke when the Stock Market crashed. Suddenly, the ride was over. The electorate blamed President Hoover and the Republicans. The Democrats and Franklin D. Roosevelt were swept into office in 1932. A poker player who understood a nation of gamblers needed hope, FDR called for a New Deal.

It was during the Depression that gambling took its first steps toward becoming a legitimate, socially acceptable industry. In 1931, Nevada became the first and only state to legalize casino gambling. Reno, "The Biggest Little City in the World", soon became the nation's gaming capitol.

In the late 1970s and '80s, gambling became socially acceptable across much of the nation as major American corporations like Holiday Inn, MGM and others started building large hotel/casinos. Simultaneously, Native American Indians won the right to build and operate casinos.

By the late 1990s, Gaming had emerged as one of the largest American industries of the last half of the 20th Century. Today, only two states (Utah & Hawaii) have no gambling industry. Now, almost every American is within easy driving distance of a casino, club or cardroom. Moreover, the Internet has brought gambling into the home.

Clearly, Americans have always been gamblers. It's what we are! A nation of risk-takers, gambling is a fundamental part of our history, heritage and culture. As such, it reflects much of the American character and personality.

If gambling is endemic to Americans, it should be evident among the country's leadership, particularly its Presidents and greatest Americans. It is.

Nineteen of America's forty-three Presidents enjoyed gambling (at least during some period of their life) What's more greatness seems to go to the gamblers. The list of U.S. Presidents who enjoyed gambling illustrates how much a part of America is gambling:
George Washington
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson
John Quincy Adams
Andrew Jackson
Zachary Taylor
Abraham Lincoln
Ulysses S. Grant
Theodore Roosevelt
Grover Cleveland
William Howard Taft
Warren G. Harding
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Harry Truman
Dwight Eisenhower
Lyndon B. Johnson
Richard M. Nixon
George W. Bush

Many of America's greatest heroes were gamblers. Following is only a partial list and in no particular order:

Bill Gates
Babe Ruth
John Wayne
The Marx Brothers
Buffalo Bill Cody
Benjamin Franklin
Dolley Madison
W.C. Fields
Audie Murphy
Senator Joseph McCarthy
Clark Clifford
William O. Douglas
William Rehnquist
Henry Clay
Daniel Webster
Thomas "Tip" O'Neill
Barry Goldwater
Ernest Hemingway
Mark Twain
Edgar Allen Poe
Jefferson Davis

Gambling, gamblers and the gambling spirit have been an integral, vital part of our history, culture and greatness. Nevertheless, a minority of Conservatives have decided to deny citizens the right to gamble on the Internet. It's Un-American!

The Conservatives have subverted 300 years of history and culture. They've violated our right to the pursuit of happiness--which for many citizens is beating blackjack or flopping the nuts! It's Un-American!

It's time to exercise another right (while we still have it)--our right to vote!

Take a chance; elect Patriotic Americans - citizens who believe in Freedom, Unalienable Rights, "Truth, Justice, and the American Way!"

This is Edgar "Mouse" Hohl and I approved this message.

photo by FlipChip LasVegasVegas.com



Practice your freedom to play live poker in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace.

Posted by Edgar 'Mouse' Hohl at 9:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

New 3, Las Vegas:

The second Governor's debate [began] with one of the candidates for the state's top job getting kicked out of the building. Independent candidate Christopher Hansen ran onto the stage at Bally's, demanding that he participate.
Hansen was not invited to field questions in Monday night's debate between Democrat Dina Titus and Republican Jim Gibbons. After he was escorted out of the room by security, things turned serious, with the candidates focusing on education, the water supply and Nevada's economy.
Both agreed that education was a priority for our state's future, but they did not see eye-to-eye on taxes. Titus says she'd raise them only if necessary while Gibbons promised no tax hikes.
All of the questions used in Monday's debate were scripted and given to the candidates to review ahead of time.

Nobody ever invites me to the party either, Chris. If someone does want to fix education, it will take money. Upside for teachers may mean raise in pay; downside is a raise in pay will reward so many poor teachers for failing. (In fact, school policy in Clark County is to give teachers "hazardous duty pay" when teaching in a failing school as an incentive to teach there and improve it; seems more like incentive to fail. Collect extra pay for a couple years and then transfer out.) So candidates, where will the money come from to fix education?

Posted by Zounds Off at 3:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From the Press Release:

The William S. Boyd School of Law for just the second time will be the location of oral arguments before a panel of the Nevada Supreme Court.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 10 and 11, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in seven cases, including an appeal from convicted murder Alfred Centofanti at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Centofanti is the Las Vegas attorney convicted of killing his wife.

Justice Mark Gibbons, who presides over the three-justice panel, will be available for interviews before and after the scheduled arguments. He may also be available for appearances on studio television shows.

Boyd Law School Dean Richard Morgan also will be available to talk about the value of the oral arguments to students at the law school at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

It was a year ago that a Supreme Court panel first chose to hold oral arguments at Boyd Law School . About 120 students attended the session and the justices spent some time after the arguments talking to the students about the appellate process.

The justices are expected to do so again.

WHEN: Tuesday, Wednesday, Oct. 10-11 (See: Cases for times)

WHERE: Boyd School of Law, UNLV, Classroom 102.

MEDIA ACCESS: Television and still camera approval has been granted. However, only one still and one video camera will be allowed and images must be shared, in keeping with Supreme Court rules. Multiple cameras may be used for interviews outside the courtroom before and after the arguments.

THE PANEL: Justices Mark Gibbons (presiding), A. William Maupin, and Michael Douglas. Senior Justice Miriam Shearing will sit on some cases because of recusals.

CASES:

Tuesday, Oct. 10

Wednesday, Oct. 11

Posted by pokerprof at 4:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From: North Lake Tahoe Bonanza [Registration Required]

A group of Nevada state senators and assemblymen, ominously named the Legislative Committee on School Funding Adequacy, paid $200,000 for an out of state consultant's study which purported to show that Nevada needs to boost school spending by $1.3 billion.

I bet a class of fifth graders could have come up with the same result and all it would have cost is the price of a pizza party.

Posted by Zounds Off at 4:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From In Business Las Vegas:

The most interesting question in Clark County politics these days is a simple one: Can she survive?

She is Lynette Boggs McDonald. Surviving is a two-part ordeal for the commissioner who may not have made it clear where she lives but clearly does not want to die — politically, that is.

First, she must survive a court challenge to her residency filed by the Culinary Union and Police Protective Association....

Remember, Lynette voted against the union supported pay raise for the police. I wonder what the money looks like that is now coming from the unions determined to remove her and how much. Can anyone say Lots?

Posted by Zounds Off at 3:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Southern Nevada Water Authority's groundwater project is the biggest ever proposed in the United States, and will require installing up to 195 pumps over a nearly 8,000-square-mile area of eastern Nevada near the town of Ely.

If No One Is There Will There Be a Sucking Sound? I am reminded of a Texas town which sank eight feet because water was removed from an aquifer. Surprise!

Posted by Zounds Off at 4:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From In Business Las Vegas: "We want to make sure what we are doing to mitigate growth is keeping up and not getting out of balance and affecting the quality of life like transportation, air quality and economy," said county Manager Virginia Valentine. "We don't want it to go so far in one direction that it is out of balance and not recoverable." [read the full article]

The Las Vegas Valley [from Google Maps]

Too, Too Late! The resources to examine the problems this valley has faced and will face have been available for years. Many eastern and midwest cities have experienced massive growth at times which threatened infrastructure and Las Vegas could have learned from their successes and mistakes. Plus, the university has been here for decades, but have officials made use of those resources? By the time a think tank is formed and ready to "think," the valley will be completely paved over and most remedies "tanked."

Posted by Zounds Off at 10:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Las Vegas FSBO Channel Real Estate Website Launches Today
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Just seven weeks ago FSBO Channels launched "Tampa FSBO Channel," its first For Sale by Owner Real Estate website offering absolutely free FSBO listings to Tampa homeowners. Today, FSBO Channels has announced the launch of its sixteenth FSBO Channel, Las Vegas FSBO Channel: in the latest FBO Channel expansion.

Posted by Zounds Off at 3:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From the Casino City Times: A subsidiary of Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. today announced it entered into a definitive agreement with a subsidiary of Boyd Gaming Corp. acquiring the Barbary Coast. Harrah's now holds or will acquire 350 acres from the Paris south to Harrah's and west to the Rio.

And at the same time...
Harrah's Gets Buyout Offer
Pittsburgh Business Times - 4:52 PM EDT Monday

Harrah's Entertainment Inc., one of three bidders for a Pittsburgh slots license, said it is reviewing a $15.1 billion takeover offer from Apollo Management and Texas Pacific Group.

Posted by Zounds Off at 3:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I see two ways we can look at this race since no one stands out over the other candidate. We can have a feisty Ann Richards type in the governor's mansion or a staid, boring politician. Either way, it is still politics. But if we want the real battle, let's call it as it is...North v. South. Titus is from Clark County, the really crowded neon Nevada and Gibbons is from the Sparks area, the boring left over Nevada. There is a legitimate argument that the budget panel is three old fogeys from up north who have not come to Clark County and have no idea the population and growth pressures it faces. Southern Nevada is ripe for flexing some muscle to get a bigger piece of the moldy pie.

Posted by Zounds Off at 11:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)