***** The ultimate responsibility of a leader is to facilitate other people's development as well as his own. ---Fred Pryor*1

From a Commissioner in 2002, Rory Reid serves now as the Chairman of Clark County Commission.

Certainly, Las Vegas Life Magazine recently named Rory Reid "Best Up and Coming Politician" in Southern Nevada.

"With Reid not committing, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) found the next-best thing -- signing his eldest son, Rory, as both the chair of her campaign in the Silver State and an adviser on Western issues," reported Chris Cillizza and Shailagh Murray at the Washingtonpost.com on Sunday, February 18, 2007.

It is our pleasure to post the most recent Biography of Commissioner Rory Reid as in the following:

"Clark County Commissioner Rory Reid was raised in the Las Vegas Valley. Prior to Rory�s election to the Commission, he was active in government and his community. He was appointed to the Nevada Taxicab Authority by Governor Bob Miller and served as Vice Chair. Rory served as a member of the Clark County Citizens Committee on Efficiency in Government and was a legislative aide in the United States House of Representatives. Rory has also served on the boards of various civic and charitable organizations," *2

Rory Reid was elected to the County Commission in 2002 to serve Commission District G. He was re-elected on November 7, 2006, to another four-year term. Rory was appointed by his colleagues as County Commission Chairman in January 2005. Re-elected by his colleagues on January 2, 2007, Rory Reid serves now as the Chairman of Clark County Commission.

The bio stated that: Commissioner Reid was chosen by his fellow commissioners to serve in the following capacities: Criminal Justice Advisory Commission, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Clark County Water Reclamation District Board of Trustees, Las Vegas Valley Water District Board of Directors, Liquor & Gaming Licensing Board, Local Law Enforcement Advisory Committee, Nevada Association of Counties Executive Committee (NACO), and Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

"As Chairman of the Commission, Rory has championed the comprehensive reform of the county�s planning process and growth management policies. Rory is also proud of the parks and recreation projects that have been constructed in District G since his election including the new Whitney Recreation Center, improvements to the Paradise Recreation Center, the Paradise Children�s Dental Clinic and various other park projects. Rory has long been active in his community. He has donated his time to numerous local, state and national political campaigns. He previously served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, and the local council of the Boy Scouts of America. Rory and his wife Cindy are the proud parents of three children." *3

The following information have been received from a search of "Chairman Rory Reid" or "Rory Reid, Chairman of Clark County" on the Google.com and Yahoo.com at 3:37 p. m. in the afternoon on April 30, 2007. They are appeared starting from the first line of the first page on the Google.com and Yahoo.com:

(001). For "Chairman Rory Reid wbti" on the Google.com:
Washington Business and Technology Institute - Rory Reid, Chairman ...
Chairman of Clark County Commission ---Rory Reid was promoted to Adjunct Associate Professor of GSBPA by WBTI ... Dr. Rory Reid, our Adjunct Associate ...
communitylink.reviewjournal.com/servlet/lvrj_ProcServ/DBPAGE=page&MODE=display&GID=01101010550976... - 56k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages

Washington Business and Technology Institute - Rory Reid, Chairman ...
'Chairman of Clark County Commission ---Rory Reid was promoted to Adjunct Associate Professor of GSBPA by WBTI,' "Section 'Business & Administration' of ...
communitylink.reviewjournal.com/servlet/lvrj_ProcServ/dbpage=page&GID=01101010550976144152582945&... - 112k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages
[ More results from communitylink.reviewjournal.com ]

(002). For "Rory Reid, Chairman of Clark County" on the Yahoo.com:
Washington Business and Technology Institute - Rory Reid, Chairman of ...
Chairman of Clark County Commission ---Rory Reid was promoted to Adjunct Associate ... 'A profile of Clark County,' "A search of 'chairman rory reid' on the ...communitylink.reviewjournal.com/servlet/...&START_COUNT=2 - 56k - Cached

Washington Business and Technology Institute - Business ...
Chairman of Clark County Commission ---Rory Reid was promoted to Adjunct ... into office as the Chairman of Clark County Commission in Nevada on January 3, 2005. ...communitylink.reviewjournal.com/servlet/...&START_COUNT=19 - 138k - Cached

Justice of Nevada Supreme Court Michael Douglas said that, "Articles of WBTI's website for community service through the publication by the leading search engines have been achieved for many years. To serve our community with the spirit of love is an inspiration. Their vision and enthusiasm are significant!" *4

"I look forward to working with each of my colleagues on the board to improve Southern Nevada�s quality of life in a meaningful way," Chairman Rory Reid said. "We�ve done a lot to improve our master planning process and tackle the challenges of growth, from water and air quality to transportation and land use planning. I�m confident that we can build upon our success in the coming years." *5 To improve Southern Nevada�s quality of life in a more meaningful way, Chairman Rory Reid has extended his participation and encouragement to the missions of organizations like Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI), etc. As an Associate Professor of the Graduate School of Business and Public Administration of WBTI, his bright vision and enthusiasm on public service, community development, and educational integrity has helped forging him to be the "Best Up and Coming Great Politician" in Southern Nevada!*6

---------------------------------------------
References

*1. Ekeren, Glenn Van. "The Speaker's Source Book," (1988), Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
*2. Clark County Commission. 'Biography of Rory Reid,' "A search of 'bio of Rory Reid' on the Google.com," (April 30, 2007), Mountain View, California: Google.com.
*3. Ibid.
*4. Chang, Tiffany. 'Vision and enthusiasm,' "A search of 'Business & Administration wbti' on the Communitylink. Reviewjournal.com," (April 30, 2007), Las Vegas, Nevada: LVRJ.
*5. Public Communications of the Clark County of Nevada. 'To improve Southern Nevada�s quality of life,' "A press release of PCCCN on January 3, 2005," Clark County, Nevada: CCCN.
*6. Reid, Rory; Moss, Cheryl; and Chang, Tiffany. 'Summer 2003 Symposium of WBTI is remarkable,' "A search of 'Symposium of WBTI' on the Yahoo.com," (May 1, 2007), Sunnyvale, California: Yahoo.com.

Dec. 07, 2006
Copyright � Las Vegas Review-Journal

COUNTY COMMISSION: Monorail extension gets OK
Next step for company: Seek investors
By MIKE KALIL
REVIEW-JOURNAL

[[[Click image for enlargement.
Graphic by Mike Johnson.]]]

[[[Curtis Myles
President of Las Vegas Monorail Co. says finances have improved recently]]]

Clark County commissioners signed off Wednesday on a plan to extend the Las Vegas Monorail south to McCarran International Airport, a move they hope will improve the struggling rail line's ridership.

"Without the extension, we're probably condemning this system to mediocrity or even failure," Commissioner Bruce Woodbury said.

But the commissioners' 4-0 vote for the proposed route from the MGM Grand to the airport does not guarantee the 4.2-mile extension will ever be built.

It merely arms the private Las Vegas Monorail Co. with the initial municipal approval its officials need before trying to seek investors willing to bankroll the $500 million project.

Curtis Myles, president and chief executive of the company, declined to speak with the Review-Journal about the company's prospects at luring investors to a project with a troubled history.

But banking industry analysts have said the company faces a tough sell to financiers, considering its fiscal outlook led credit analyzing service Fitch Ratings earlier this year to downgrade the company's rating to junk bond status.

Woodbury said before the vote that the county is pledging no taxpayer money toward building the extension and is under no obligation to bail out the project if it flops.

"There's no public money being put forth here," he said.

Myles told commissioners in a presentation before their vote that the monorail's finances have improved recently. But the figures he reported do not bode well for the company's solvency without a turnaround.

Annual revenue is up to $39 million, he said, but the annual operating costs are running at $27 million and the debt service payments are $34 million a year. Myles said even if its finances do not improve, the company has sufficient cash reserves to continue operating until 2010.

Greg Borgel, a development consultant representing the company, briefed commissioners on plans showing the extension running north from the MGM to Harmon, east to Swenson Street, south to Russell Road and east to the site of McCarran's future Terminal 3.

Monorail stations along the extended route are planned at the site of the planned W Resort Hotel on Harmon, at the Hard Rock Hotel and on Swenson near the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to serve events at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Two stations would be built at McCarran, one near the planned Terminal 3 and another at Terminal 1 on the north side of the airport's baggage claim area.

Monorail officials hope to start building in early 2008, with a projected completion date three years later.

Myles said the extension is vital because of the following:

� 70 percent of passengers arriving at McCarran are headed to a five-mile stretch of the Strip.

� nearly 40,000 new hotel rooms are expected to open there over the next three years.

� No plans exist to widen Las Vegas Boulevard, which reached capacity in the late 1990s, or other north-south arterials used to travel between the Strip and airport.

A cabdriver was one of two citizens who spoke against approving the plan. Responding to his comments, Woodbury said Las Vegas visitors must have new choices for getting to the Strip beyond standing in line at McCarran's cab stand.

"Our tourists coming to town cannot be waiting for hours, and sometimes it is hours, waiting for a taxicab," Woodbury said.

How many people the monorail company thinks will ride the extension remains unclear. A study due in several weeks is expected to include ridership estimates.

But monorail officials do not have much of a track record in accurately projecting passenger loads. They forecasted 53,000 passengers would ride the existing monorail each day, but daily ridership is running closer to 20,000.

Myles told commissioners the pending figures will be more accurate.

"We're going to be very conservative in our estimates," he said.

More public hearings must be held and more commission approvals granted before the project proceeds in earnest. Commissioners will be asked to sign off on station design plans, traffic studies and granting of rights of way.

Commissioners Lynette Boggs McDonald, Tom Collins and Yvonne Atkinson Gates were absent for Wednesday's hearing.

Besides Woodbury, one of the other three commissioners present for the vote spoke on the issue.

Commissioner Myrna Williams sought a guarantee from monorail officials that they would not seek to eliminate any surface street traffic lanes along the route to build stations or accommodate the columns supporting the elevated monorail guideway.

Monorail officials agreed, and Woodbury added the caveat as a condition of the commission's approval of the extension.

Chairman of Clark County Commission ---Rory Reid was promoted to Adjunct Associate Professor of GSBPA by WBTI
By Mark Denton, Valorie Vega, and Tiffany Chang

Dr. Rory Reid, our Adjunct Associate Professor of the Graduate School of Business and Public Administration (GSBPA) of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI), was sworn into office as the Chairman of Clark County Commission in Nevada on January 3, 2005.

"Through the recommendation by our faculty members including District Judges Mark Denton and Valorie Vega, Dr. Rory Reid has been promoted from Adjunct Assistant Professor to Adjunct Associate Professor of Business Law, Graduate School of Business and Public Administration (GSBPA), by Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI) on December 3, 2004," announced Dr. John Wang, Spokesman of WBTI, on Monday, December 6, 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada.*1

Clark County Commissioner Rory Reid was raised in the Las Vegas Valley. After growing up in Las Vegas, he attended Brigham Young University, where he earned his B.A. in International Relations and Spanish in 1985. Rory continued at BYU, attending the J. Reuben Clark Law School earning a J.D. in 1988. Rory returned to Nevada and began the practice of law. At the age of thirty, he became the Senior Vice President and General Counsel of a local company. After his tenure as corporate counsel, he went on to become a partner at Lionel Sawyer & Collins (lasvegas@lionelsawyer.com), a famous Nevada law firm.*2

Additionally, Las Vegas Life Magazine recently named Rory ��est Up and Coming Politician?in Southern Nevada. On the basis at an adjunct level, his teaching subject in business law will be good for a graduate school in business.

"As a graduate school in business, I'll put more emphasis both on values of theoreticality and practicality. I'd like to suggest eight courses for our China Certificate Program in Management: Financial Analysis, Managerial Accounting, Quality Management, Just-in-Time & Lean Operations, Supply Chain Management, Information Technology, Applied Economic Analysis, and Strategy Formulation and Implementation," said Dean Dr. Keong Leong of GSBPA, who is professor and Chairman of the Department of Business of UNLV, for a Symposium.*3

The Summer 2003 Symposium of WBTI was held at Zax Restaurant of Golden Nugget Casino and Hotel on May 19, 2003 in Las Vegas. The theme of this mini symposium is: The Entrepreneurship of MPA/SME and MBA/PKE Certificates Program for the people of English and Chinese Speaking.*4

Commissioner Reid was sworn into office as County Commissioner on January 6, 2003, to Commission District "G". That term expires the first Monday in January 2007.

Rory Reid is one of the sons of U. S. Senator Harry Reid, D-Nev. As his father has become the most powerful Democratic senator in Washington D.C., Clark County Commissioner Rory Reid is moving up in the local political ranks and is expected to be named board chairman in the coming January.

Rory said on Monday, November 15 that he had enough support from fellow commissioners to be voted chairman, a largely ceremonial position.

"I'm honored my colleagues have confidence in my abilities, and I look forward to our continued collegial relationship," Reid, 42, said.*5

Commissioner Reid was chosen by his fellow commissioners in the current term to serve in the following capacities: Nevada Development Authority; Metropolitan Police Committee on Fiscal Affairs; Regional Jail Commission; Clark County District Board of Health; and Southern Nevada Water Authority.

As a Clark County Commissioner, Rory also serves on the following boards/committees: Boards of Trustees ?Clark County Water Reclamation District; Board of Trustees ?Big Bend Water District; Board of Trustees ?Kyle Canyon Water District; Board of Directors ?Las Vegas Valley Water District; Liquor and Gaming Licensing Board; and Vice Chair ?Local Law Enforcement Advisory Committee.*6

Rory has served as the Chairman of the Nevada Democratic Party. After his election to that post, he instituted significant and meaningful changes in the party structure that resulted in a more stable, cohesive and effective organization.

Rory and his wife Cindy are the proud parents of three children.

Rory has long been active in his community. He has donated his time to numerous local, state and national political campaigns. He co-founded Nevadans for Public Awareness. He also has donated his time as a Cub Scout Leader.

"Asian Pacific American have made profound contributions to American life, including the arts, economy, education, science, technology, politics, and sport. This community was here to help build trascontinental railroad, to serve in the Civil War, and to develop the latest Internet technology. I'm pleased to assure all you leaders of the community here today that I'll continue working to preserve and advance the heritage and value of Asian Americans. I'll put my effort to reach out and address issues of importance to the Asian American community, including the economy, education, safety, racial profiling, and hate crime, and immigration, among others. I'd like also to show my appreciation of all your accomplishments and contributions to the American way of life and your oustanding participation in the political, business , and educational processes. It's my pleasure to accept the honor as Professor of Administrative Strategies of the Graduate School of Business and Public Administration of Washington Business and Technology Institute," said Harry Reid, U. S. Senator and Assistant Democratic Leader (now Democratic Leader) of the Senate at Asian American Leaders Tea with United States Senator Harry Reid on May 31, 2003 at Korean Garden B. B. Q. House in Las Vegas.*7

"The mission of the Graduate School of Business and Public Administration of WBTI will emphasize the humanitarian orientation of public administration and social responsibility of business management. Throuugh academic entrepreneurship, we may expect the endeavor of this school for the community service based on humane spirit, led by Chairperson Elaine Chao of WBTI," said Dr. Dina Titus, Professor of Administrative Strategies in GSBPA. Dina is a Senator of Nevada Senate and Adjunct Professor of Political Science of UNLV.*8

----------------------------------------------------
References

*1. Bell, Stewart; Walsh, Jessie; and Chang, Tiffany. 'Las Vegas nicer with community service through cultural arts,' "10 Year Thai Cultures in Las Vegas, Nevada," (September 16, 2003), p. 30.
*2. Office of Rory Reid. 'Accomplishments of Commissioner Rory Reid,' "A search on the Google.com about Rory Reid," (December 1, 2004), U. S. A.: Google.com.
*3. Walsh, Jessie; Moss, Cheryl; and Chang, Tiffany. 'Drs. Lee Bernick, Keong Leong appointed deans of GSBPA of WBTI,' "Nevada Examiner," (March 28, 2003), Las Vegas, Nevada.
*4. Reid, Rory; Moss, Cheryl; and Chang, Tiffany. 'Summer 2003 Symposium of WBTI is remarkable,' "Business - WBTI," (November 1, 2006), Las Vegas, Nevada: WBTI.
*5. Packer, Adrienne. 'NEW APPROACH: Reid's son makes own mark ---Rory Reid likely commission chair,' (November 16, 2004) "A search on Google about LVRJ," Las Vegas, Nevada: Reviewjournal.com.
*6. Office of Roy Reid. Ibid.
*7. Denton, Mark; Walsh, Jessie; Moss, Cheryl; and Chang, Tiffany. 'Our mutual cooperation and development between the officials and people will bring us a peaceful, happy, and healthy community,' "Newsbrief of WBTI," (November 6, 2006), Las Vegas, Nevada: WBTI.
*8. Ibid.

Contact: Brian Saliba
Phone: (702) 455-8838
email: salibab@co.clark.nv.us

Veruca Salt Brings Rock to First Friday
Band Performs at the Clark County Amphitheater Nov. 3

Veruca Salt adds some spice to First Friday activities with a performance on Nov. 3 at the Clark County Government Center Amphitheater, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway . The event is free, and music begins at 6:30 p.m. with opening bands.*1

Veruca Salt, named for the greedy, spoiled girl in �Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,� debuted in 1994 with the album American Thighs. Throughout the years, singles such as 2000�s Seether and Volcano Girls, kept the rock band in the public�s ear, but the album Resolver, released in 2000, was nearly the band�s swan song.

Original members singer-songwriter Louise Post and guitarist Stephen Fitzpatrick regrouped with bassist Nicole Fiorentino from Radio Vago and drummer Kellii Scott from Failure, Blinker the Star and Enemy. In September, the newly refurbished band released the album Veruca Salt IV.

�Veruca Salt is awesome,� says Kyle Anderson on Spin.com in September. �IV rocks. The opener �So Weird� is vintage Veruca, rolling out big, dirty-sounding buzz saw riffs and Post�s sexy, ballsy snarl about �white noise from weird boys.� � It�s a welcome return to form for one of the most inventive women in alt-rock � and that�s no exaggeration.�

�Though it�s been six years since the band have released an album, the track (�So Weird�) flows with the dynamism of their trademark alt-rock-fueled pop, and it boats the same grungy ethos of their earlier tunes,� says another review on Spin.com.

Artists and vendors will be exhibiting and selling their works and merchandise. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Shuttles to the heart of First Friday also are available. The exhibit, � Clark County 3-D Invitational� will be open with a reception inside the Government Center .

Picnics, blankets and low-back chairs are welcome at all free events at the amphitheater. Pets are not permitted. Parking is free.

Those interested in Clark County �s First Friday events can call 455-8200 or visit the Web sites at www.seeyouatthecca.com or www.accessclarkcounty.com/parks.*2

--------------------------------------------
References

*1. Public Communications of Clark County. 'A profile of Clark County,' "A search of 'Chairman Rory Reid' on the Google.cn," (September 29, 2006), Mountain View, California: Google.cn.
*2. Ibid.

Aug. 23, 2006
Copyright � Las Vegas Review-Journal

JOHN L. SMITH: Dealers angry, but Wynn's tip-sharing change might spread

Steve Wynn is changing the Vegas Rules again, and dealers at Wynn Las Vegas are steaming.

They're so mad, in fact, that they're ringing reporters' phones and jamming gaming blogs with their complaints after being told they'll now have to share their tips with floor supervisors. Depending on your source, the shake-up will cost them from 10 to 20 percent at the bottom line.

That's enough to make anyone howl, but the dealers I've spoken with acknowledge that even with the reduction in pay, they'll still have one of the best jobs on the Strip. I was tempted to tell them to call their dealers union representative but decided that wouldn't go over too well because there is no such union. Fact is, while tips have increased over the years at some casinos, most dealers haven't had a substantial hourly wage increase in 20 years.

If this latest change in the Vegas Rules follows suit with previous changes, I expect the dealers' complaints to diminish to a whisper in less than a week. They might be justified in wondering aloud whether management is greedily squeezing the weakest members of the casino's "team," but that's the nature of the business and their important but almost powerless role in it.

In other words, don't expect any mass walkouts at Wynn Las Vegas.

"What are the Vegas Rules?" you ask. They're the unwritten laws of the casino racket. They're the way things have always, or almost always, been done on the casino floor.

But the rules are no longer etched in the green-felt tradition. They are easily revised by Gaming Inc., which searches endlessly for ways to improve its performance, increase its profits, improve its efficiency and decrease its overhead. And it isn't the first time Wynn has departed from accepted practice.

I remember the furor over the changes Wynn made in the showroom rules following the amazing success of illusionists Siegfried & Roy at The Mirage. He eliminated the old Vegas Rule about slipping the maitre d' and captain a few extra bucks to improve your seating. Working stiffs complained for a while, but their criticism was drowned out by record profits and unprecedented expansion on the Strip.

Word has circulated for weeks that Wynn was angered after learning that a particularly successful high roller had showered the dealers with $500,000 that formerly belonged to the house. The incident, as the green-felt rumor has it, led to the departure of a casino vice president and this week's rules change.

No one is commenting on any of that. The casino industry is a great place to go if you're seeking no comment.

What is truly worrisome is the fact the change might lead to similar actions at smaller casinos where dealers make a fraction of the tokes found at the Strip's megaresorts.

"Wynn Las Vegas is a great job (for a dealer), but it's not whether it's a great job or not," one 40-year veteran dealer and floor supervisor said Tuesday. "When the money goes down, and it does on occasion, no one is going to step up and make it up to the dealers. And there's very few dealing jobs in Las Vegas that are worth over $40,000 a year. I'm old, but these young kids coming in with families, they're not going to be able to make a living in this town."

Another casino veteran countered, "It's obviously a big move by him to save money at the dealers' expense. But he created the job. He created the atmosphere for the dealers to make more money by demanding customer service."

Floor supervisors have kept their jobs in part because the pay was steady. But at the Strip megaresorts, where it's common for dealers to make $500 a night in tips, the floor personnel look like poor relations. One veteran floor supervisor I spoke with on Tuesday has returned to shuffling up and standing behind the tables.

"I make more money," he said. "There are no perks, no incentives to being a floor supervisor. But as a dealer, you also have risks. If my job tomorrow goes down to $60 a day, they're not going to compensate me."

The Wynn Las Vegas dealers will survive this week's haircut.

If Wynn's latest change in the Vegas Rules is successful, watch for it to become an industry standard.

John L. Smith's column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. E-mail him at Smith@reviewjournal.com or call 383-0295.

Jul. 19, 2006
Copyright � Las Vegas Review-Journal

Commission OKs Valentine as new county manager
Veteran administrator to take over for departing Reilly on Aug. 11
By MIKE KALIL
REVIEW-JOURNAL

[[[Virginia Valentine
New county manager to be paid $200,000 annually]]]

Clark County commissioners on Tuesday approved Virginia Valentine as the new county manager, punctuating their unanimous vote with a standing ovation for the first woman to serve in that position.

"It's great to have a woman at the helm," Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates said, triggering a burst of applause.

Valentine, an assistant county manager since 2002, will take over as the county's chief executive officer on Aug. 11 after the departure of Thom Reilly, who is leaving the county's top post for a position with the Nevada System of Higher Education.

"As sad as I am about losing Dr. Reilly, I'm happy to have Virginia," Commissioner Myrna Williams said.

After her approval, Valentine told the commissioners she is thankful to be inheriting the excellent management team her predecessor put in place.

"I want you to know how truly honored and humbled I am today," she said. Reilly is "an incredibly tough act to follow."

The 49-year-old veteran government administrator will be paid $200,000 annually to oversee 11,000 employees in 38 county departments, including McCarran International Airport and University Medical Center.

She will also manage the county's $5.9 billion budget, the largest of any county or city in Nevada.

Valentine is also charged with carrying out policies established by the seven county commissioners.

Before her four years serving the county, Valentine was Las Vegas' city manager, overseeing 2,800 employees and a budget of about $740 million, and briefly was senior vice president of government affairs for the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce.

Valentine has said that her chief priorities will be to keep government open and inclusive, streamline development services, and focus on financial stability, specifically regarding ongoing salary negotiations with labor unions representing county firefighters and service workers.

Jul. 16, 2006
Copyright � Las Vegas Review-Journal

DEVELOPMENT: First pay this, then this and this ...
Getting building permits means coping with confusion and costs, builders say
By HUBBLE SMITH
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Mike Kennedy of Kennedy Commercial is doing his first project in North Las Vegas, with first-phase construction under way for the Ann Professional Plaza at Ann Road and Allen Lane. He said the planning process is not uniform in each jurisdiction around the Las Vegas Valley. Builders say getting permits is expensive and arduous.
Photo by Clint Karlsen.

Martin-Harris Construction project manager Jim Nelon shows permits for the Streamline Tower high-rise condominium project in downtown Las Vegas. Securing permits is one duty on builders' to-do lists.
Photo by Jane Kalinowsky.

Clark County has made improvements but still lags the cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson in planning and permitting efficiency, local developers and contractors said.

Project plans are not moving through the system as quickly as promised when the Clark County Development Services Department increased fees three years ago, they said.

For additional cost, developers could have their plan review process time sliced in half, from around 10 months to five months, director Phil Rosenquist said in 2003.

"It's much better than it was," developer Kenneth Smith of Glen, Smith & Glen said. "Two years ago it took us 20 months to get the plans for Spanish Ridge Park through. Now it's taking 12 to 13 months, so I'm happy."

Smith said he "philosophically" doesn't mind developers paying their own way to cover engineering studies and plan checks, but things were supposed to improve when the county raised fees significantly and that hasn't happened as much as he had hoped.

A lack of clear communication among departments within the county lengthens the planning review process, he said. Planners will tell him a setback requirement is 20 feet and public works will tell him it's 15 feet.

"They say, 'That's civil. We don't talk to them.' From my view, it's all county and it's frustrating when the county has no unification up front," Smith said. "I understand that each department has their own rules and codes, but it's frustrating when those codes conflict and it takes two to three months to work out conflicts. They finally pick up the phone and get the issue worked out."

Rosenquist said fees were increased when the county's civil division went to "enterprise funding," which means that the fees collected pay for the department's operational and capital needs. Enterprise funding lets him fill positions without having to compete for general fund monies.

He began hiring additional staff to shorten the time it takes for traffic and drainage study reviews, off-site plan reviews, final map processing and off-site inspections. His time cycle goals were being met through 2004 and into 2005. Then the county experienced unprecedented application levels, he said.

For example, the number of drainage studies rose from 500 to 700 last year. At the same time, the county was losing staff to both the private sector and other jurisdictions.

"These factors caused our cycle times to suffer," Rosenquist said. "We also recognize that workload demands called for more than just additional staff."

He instituted several policies, including joint training sessions with staff and outside design professionals; posting cycle time status updates on the county's Web site; using third-party reviews for off-site plans and traffic studies; and cross-training the mapping staff to perform right-of-way and planning review at the same time to eliminate a queue in the process.

"Our staff has been going to great lengths to get us back to where we need to be," Rosenquist said.

His department spent more than $1 million on overtime and his staff accrued more than 7,000 hours of compensatory time through the first three quarters of the fiscal year, he said.

Mike Kennedy of Kennedy Commercial said the planning process is not uniform in each jurisdiction around the Las Vegas Valley. Historically, Henderson was the slowest and the county was the quickest in getting plans reviewed and checked off, with Las Vegas somewhere in the middle, Kennedy said.

He's doing his first project in North Las Vegas, with first-phase construction under way for the 89,000-square-foot Ann Professional Plaza on 22 acres at Ann Road and Allen Lane.

North Las Vegas officials recognized a couple years ago that residential builders were hurting the city's economic viability and long-term job creation by swooping in on cheaper industrial land and pushing commercial projects aside, Kennedy said.

The City Council set a directive to encourage commercial development and made it easier to go through zoning and entitlement, he said.

"Actually, they're making great strides at improving efficiency out there," he said. "With North Las Vegas, because of their size, you can actually go out and talk to someone to coordinate and correct things as they come up. The size of their projects aren't like the Strip."

Tony Vibabul, permit manager for North Las Vegas, said the time it takes to obtain a building permit depends on the type of construction. A homeowner who wants to put up a patio cover can probably get a permit that day, whereas a large commercial project may take six weeks or more, assuming the planning commission has approved the land use and entitlements.

"We like to keep things no more than two to three weeks from the time they submit," he said. "The plans they bring in are not always perfect. It depends on how quickly their architect and their engineer can turn it around and make corrections."

Developers face fees for drainage and traffic studies, grading permits, parcel map improvements and utility hook-ups. As part of its development agreement with Clark County, Focus Property Group, developer of the Mountain's Edge community in the southwest valley, paid half the $744,000 cost for a traffic signal on Blue Diamond Road at Durango Drive.

With land acquisition, financing and development fees, a developer can be into a project for millions of dollars before they even get a grading permit.

That's why it's important to get the ball rolling right away, said Tim Snow, president of Thomas & Mack Development Group. He's willing to pay extra for the "express" plan check offered by local cities, but not the county.

"Relatively speaking, it's still a small cost to the project, especially when construction costs are going up 1.5 percent a month or 18 percent per annum," Snow said.

It takes the county an "inordinate amount of time" to review drainage studies, close to nine months, and about six months for traffic studies, he said.

"They will not plan-check your civil drawings until those are approved," Snow said. "It's sequential."

Henderson tends to be better, he said. The city went to an enterprise fund, charging more fees for planning and civil engineering to sustain the cost for those services.

"Mayor (Jim) Gibson said, 'We're charging developers more and giving them nothing,' and he fixed that," Snow said. "They have the express check where all the plan checkers come together and hold a conversation at one time in one room. You pay four times the fee, but time is money. Henderson right now has done a good job of meeting their requirement for the development community."

The city of Henderson Development Services Center was created as a public-private partnership to streamline the review and inspection process. The center has performed nearly 20,000 plan reviews in the past 12 months with a 98 percent on-time rate, Henderson project engineer Chris Kidd said.

"We listened to what the development community wanted and what they'd be willing to pay for," she said. Henderson hired 31 employees for development services, including office personnel, plan technicians and building inspectors.

Smith of Glen, Smith & Glen said he spends much time and energy chasing his plans through the county departments until he finds the holdup. Sometimes it's just a matter of transferring them from one person's desk to another, he said.

"Once you get into the county and talk to the right people, it's very accessible," he said. "If I can figure out the problem, clearly understand it, where the problem lies, and then go into the county, then they're very helpful at that point."

The city of Las Vegas offers to review plans in the design stage where potential problem areas are identified. This avoids costly and time-consuming corrections and revisions during plan review.

A checklist of required plans and other documentation is attached to the building permit. They generally include architectural and mechancial drawings for structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and fire protection systems.

Vibabul of North Las Vegas said the fee for a building permit is minimal, perhaps $5,000 for a large warehouse, while a smaller building next door such as a restaurant could be $50,000 because it has more restrooms and water and sewage hookups.

A casino might pay $10,000 for a building permit, but transportation fees paid to the Nevada Department of Transportation could total millions of dollars, he said.

High-rise developer David Pourbaba said the building permit for the 409-unit Sky Las Vegas on the Strip cost about $1.2 million.

A project such as the $850 million Pinnacle Las Vegas planned for Tropicana Avenue can take six months to a year to acquire all the necessary permits for construction, Pinnacle development director Mike Bellon said.

There are deferred permits for steel and structural design that are pulled after engineers complete their calculations and final drawings are stamped.

"Many of these are based on actual field conditions, so they come later in the process," Bellon said. "Developers of such large projects pull the permits in stages to help keep the construction moving as smoothly as possible and mitigate against the possibility of having to slow down or stop the project while waiting for a permit to be issued."

"The municipalities are not turning over the permits or entitlements quickly enough, and then one or two will pop and all these jobs kick off at once, which creates chaos," Matt Ryba of TWC Construction told Nevada Business Journal magazine. "We can't really plan things out and neither can (subcontractors)."

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT FEES

Application
Clark County
Las Vegas
Henderson

Plan review
$825
$500
n/a

Design review
$500
n/a
$156

General plan amendment
n/a
$1,000
$618

Zone change
$950
$700
$670

Variance
$525
$300
$436

Street name change
$500
$300
$550

Use permit
$525
$500
$462

Parcel map
$500
$300
$661

Final map
$800
$750
$500

Development agreement
$2,000
$1,000
n/a

Extension of time
$350-$500
$300
$358

Administrative deviation
$50
$100
$104

Whether you are a resident, a visitor or a member of the media, we can help you get the information you need about Clark County, where we pride ourselves on being open, accessible, responsive and accountable.

Clark County is a wonderfully diverse place, and Clark County government is organized and positioned to meet those myriad needs.

First, it provides urban services. In fact, more people live in urban Clark County than in any of Southern Nevada�s cities, including the city of Las Vegas. Geographically, this area of the unincorporated county includes the world-famous Las Vegas Strip and takes in McCarran International Airport, the Las Vegas Convention Center, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and, of course, the neighborhoods where our residents live, work and play.

Second, it provides regional services for more than 1.8 million residents and 38 million tourists a year occupying an area (7,910 square miles) larger than New Jersey. Clark County government takes a leadership role in protecting the quality of our air through its Air Quality Management Division and water through the Las Vegas Valley Water District. The seven members of the Clark County Commission sit as the board of directors for each entity. The county also operates McCarran and other airports, the public hospital (University Medical Center), social services, community planning and the court system . Further, the county plays a key role in promoting tourism, transportation, public health and flood control. These areas are especially challenging since Clark County represents the fastest-growing community in the nation.

Third, it provides town services for unincorporated townships such as the gambling destination of Laughlin and for rural treasures such as Overton (home of the Lost City Museum), Goodsprings, Jean and Searchlight.*2

--------------------------------------------
References

*1. Public Communications of Clark County. 'A profile of Clark County,' "A search of 'Chairman Rory Reid' on the Google.cn," (June 15, 2006), Mountain View, California: Google.cn.
*2. Ibid.

His father, in a phone call from Searchlight, said: "I really honestly cannot think of a single time in that boy's life when I wasn't proud of him. He's a good example for his brothers and sister, he's got a great sense of humor, and he's always been more mature than his age. If anybody in the family has a problem, we go to Rory because he's a very thoughtful person." *2

---------------------------------------------
References

*1. LVRJ. 'A report on Rory Reid and his father,' "A search of 'Chairman Rory Reid' on the Google.cn," (May 5, 2006), Mountain View, California: Google.cn.
*2. Ibid.

The idea for the Clark County Government Center began in 1990 after a comprehensive study of the County's short-term and long-term facility needs identified significant shortcomings in the County's use of unconnected locations to house its service organizations. The 1990 Facilities Master Plan made four recommendations:

Provide better public service to County customers by bringing departments back to a single location.
Allocate County funds toward owning rather than renting office space.
Build a quality building that would result in reduced life cycle costs covering the range from minimized maintenance to reduced energy costs.
Accomplish the above without the need for new taxes.
With a commitment to construct a centralized office building, the County moved to pursue an architectural design that stressed several objectives: provide a logical, functional and straightforward design that embodies civic order; establish a sense of place in the community, and provide a resource that would support a variety of community-based functions; create the concept of open and accessible government; create a stable, permanent, and valued image of County government, through the construction of a building that would support the long-term needs of the County (minimum of 50 years) by accommodating growth and change required of government services and maximizing the use of space.*1

The Government Center is a 385,000-square-foot, six-story facility built on a 38.8-acre parcel of land located at the southeast corner of Grand Central Parkway and Bonneville. The site was the former Union Pacific Railroad freight yard, which the County purchased from the City of Las Vegas for $10. The building centralizes 1,100 employees who comprise 29 County departments, divisions, and agencies previously situated in 12 different locations.*2

Rory Reid is the Chairman of the Clark County Commission of Nevada. On December 3 2004, Rory Reid was named Adjunct Associate Professor of the Graduate School of Business and Public Administration (GSBPA) of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI) by President Dr. Tony Tung-tien Lei of WBTI.*3

---------------------------------------------
Reference

*1. Clark County Commission of Nevada. 'A profile CCCN,' "A search of 'Chairman Rory Reid' on the Google.com," (April 22, 2006), Mountain View, California: Google.com.
*2. Ibid.
*3. Denton, Mark; Vega, Valorie; and Chang, Tiffany. 'Chairman of Clark County Commission ---Rory Reid was promoted to Adjunct Associate Professor of GSBPA by WBTI,' "Section 'Business & Administration' of WBTI website," (March 27, 2005), Las Vegas, Nevada: WBTI.

Google.cn and Google.com published this section (Rory Reid, Chairman of Clark County Commission) at 11:18 a.m. in the morning on March 23, 2006. It covers about the 25 fliers from January 7, 2006 to March 21, 2006.

Just type your name, the title of a report or an article, your concerned, the name of an organization, an event, or a reporter;{like "Chairperson Elaine Chao", "�⏬��", "�L��䗗���", and among others) on the searching box of Google.cn and Google.com please, and what can you find the good things that Google and WBTI have for you?*2

Many people have a good perspective on Google. Google.cn and Google.com will put more effort and wisdom to contribute to English and Chinese readers being an efficient visitor on the searching of fluent and useful information. Washington Business and Technology Institute's (WBTI's) website has been continuously published by Google.com and Google.cn about every 11 days. We wish advanced performance may be extended from Google.cn to WBTI.*3

You're on Google.cn and Google.com, if you're on Washington Business and Technology Institute's website at http://communitylink.reviewjournal.com/lvrj/wbti

[[[A compliment or encouragement is verbal sunshine! We are pleased to quote the following three short but meaningful ones:
***** No matter how busy you are, you must take time to make other person feel important. ---Mary Kay Ash
***** There is no more noble occupation in the world than to assit another human being---to help someone succeed. ---Alan Loy McGinnis
***** There are two things people want more than sex and money ...recognition and praise. ---Mary Kay Ash
All art, permanent or temporary, has a life in the immediate experience, but then has a life in the imagination. ---Anish Kapoor 1954- :in "Sunday Times" 11 July 1999
"Accomplishment will prove to be a journey, not a destination." ---Dwight D. Eisenhower]]]

[[[Dear Dr. & Mrs. Lei:
I am writing this letter to invite you to my next Senior Advisory Committee meeting at 9:30 am on Thursday, February 23, 2006, at the Lieburn Senior Center, 6230 Garwood Avenue (map is enclosed). ..... Dr. Tony Tung-tien Lei has been U. S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley's Senior Advisor since January 2000.]]]*4

[[["It's really my pleasure and honor to be named as an Associate Professor of the Graduate School of Business and Public Administration of WBTI. WBTI has a good reputation with its Advisory Board and faculty members. The Board has Governor Kenny Guinn as its Chairman; U. S. Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign as Vice Chairmen; U. S. Representatives James Gibbons and Shelley Berkley, and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman as Executive Directors. With the excellent and informative publications of 'Google.cn', 'Google.com', 'Communitylink of Reviewjournal.com', 'Next Weekly' and among others, high-ranking officials of Nevada with the spiritual leadership of Chairperson Elaine Chao of WBTI have been inspired to help realize the creed for professional righteousness, community service, and humane spirit of WBTI," expressed Justice Michael Douglas of Nevada Supreme Court at the Event and Dinner Party in the Emperor's Garden Restaurant on February 4, 2005 in Las Vegas. It was held by the Committee to implement the ART EXHIBIT of Mr. QIN QUAN XIONG.]]]*5

[[[Some of the significant idea from the letters to Dr. Tony Lei, President of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI):
"It's my great pleasure and honor to be named by you as a Senior Advisor and Honorary Chairman of CCDAPCC of WBTI. Please know that I irrevocably stand by my personal commitment to diversity issues in this state and that my sense of patriotism and faith in America stems from its embrace of that diversity." --A. William Maupin, Chief Justice of Nevada Supreme Court
"As Mayor, I will continue to devote my energies into the preservation and improvement of the standard of living enjoyed here in the City of Las Vegas." --Oscar B. Goodman
"It is only with the dedication and commitment of good people like yourself that I will achieve my goal of becoming Governor of this great state. Dema and I can't thank you enough for your assistance and your positive activivities in the community." --Kenny C. Guinn]]]*6

[[["As the Hononary Chairperson of International Cities Business Council of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI), I'll have more venues to work for international tourism with Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn who is the Chairman of the Advisory Board of WBTI. We're putting all our effort and wisdom to work for our people, land, and country under the spiritual leadership of Chairperson Elaine Chao of WBTI," said Lorraine Hunt, Lt. Governor of Nevada, on November 11, 2005.
The above message was signed by Lt. Governor of Nevada Lorraine Hunt:.....]]]*7

[[["It's my great pleasure to extend my warm greetings of 'Happy Lunar New Year!' to every American and Chinese here in Las Vegas and North America through the Communitylink (at http://communitylink.reviewjournal.com/lvrj/wbti) of the largest newspaper in Nevada, Las Vegas Review-Journal," said James Gibbons, U. S. Congressman and Senior Director of Washington Business and Technology Institute, in the Event and Dinner Party held by Nevada Republican Party and ARCC on January 29, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event and dinner party were sponsored by Asian Republicans of Clark County for a reunion of the lunar new year to the Chinese, Asian, and American people in Las Vegas:.....]]]*8

---------------------------------------------
References

*1. Michael Douglas is a distinguished Justice of the Nevada Supreme Court. Valerie Weber is a famous and achieved Assemblywoman of Nevada and the Minority
Whip of the Assembly. Cheryl Moss is an outstanding District Court Judge of Nevada serving in Las Vegas, Clark County.
*2. PAI of WBTI. 'U. S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao's on Google!' "A search of 'U. S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao' on the Google.com," Mountain View, California: Google.com.
*3. Ibid.
*4. Berkley, Shelley. 'I am writing this letter to invite you to,' "A letter from U. S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley to Dr. and Mrs. Tony Tung-tien Lei," (February 8, 2006), Las Vegas, Nevada: Congresswoman Shelley Berkley's Office.
*5. Denton, Mark; Vega, Valorie; and Chang, Tiffany. 'Michael Douglas has been appointed Associate Professor of GSBPA by WBTI,' "A search of 'Justice Michael Douglas wbti' on the Google.com," (March 25, 2006), Mountain View, California: Google.com.
*6. Guinn, Kenny C. 'Nevada Proud of Our Troops in the Middle East,' "Section of 'Business & Administration' of the WBTI website," (March 23, 2006), Las Vegas, Nevada: WBTI.
*7. Hunt, Lorraine. 'As the Hononary Chairperson of International Cities Business Council,' "A search of 'Chairperson Lorraine Hunt' on the Google.com," (March 26, 2006), Mountain View, California: Google.com.
*8. Gibbons, James. 'It's my great pleasure to extend my warm greetings of,' "A search of 'James Gibbons, U. S. Congressman' on the Google.com," (March 27, 2006), Mountain View, California: Google.com.

Rory Reid
LVVWD Board Member
Clark County Commissioner

Rory Reid was raised in the Las Vegas Valley. He attended Brigham Young University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in international relations and Spanish in 1985. Reid continued at BYU, attending the J. Reuben Clark Law School, and earned a Juris Doctorate in 1988. Reid returned to Nevada and began practicing law.

At 30, he became the senior vice president and general counsel of a local company. After his tenure as corporate counsel, he became a partner at Lionel Sawyer & Collins, a Nevada law firm. Additionally, Las Vegas Life magazine recently named Reid �Best Upcoming Politician in Southern Nevada.�

Reid has long been active in the community. He has donated his time to numerous local, state and national political campaigns and served as the chairman of the Nevada Democratic Party. He co-founded Nevadans for Public Awareness and has donated his time as a Cub Scout Leader.

Reid and his wife, Cindy, are the parents of three children

---------------------------------------------
References

*1. LVVWD. 'About Rory Reid,' "A search of 'Chairman Rory Reid' on the Google.com," (March 18, 2006), Mountain View, California: Google.com.
*2. Ibid.

***** The ultimate responsibility of a leader is to facilitate other people's development as well as his own. ---Fred Pryor

Dr. Rory Reid, our Adjunct Associate Professor of the Graduate School of Business and Public Administration (GSBPA) of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI), was sworn into office as the Chairman of Clark County Commission in Nevada on January 3, 2005.

"Through the recommendations by our faculty members including District Judges Mark Denton and Valorie Vega, Dr. Rory Reid has been promoted from Adjunct Assistant Professor to Adjunct Associate Professor of Business Law, Graduate School of Business and Public Administration (GSBPA), by Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI) on December 3, 2004," announced Dr. John Wang, Spokesman of WBTI, on Monday, December 6, 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada, U. S. A.*1

It's our pleasure to post the following biography of Rory Reid:

Clark County Commissioner Rory Reid was raised in the Las Vegas Valley. After growing up in Las Vegas, he attended Brigham Young University, where he earned his B.A. in International Relations and Spanish in 1985. Rory continued at BYU, attending the J. Reuben Clark Law School earning a J.D. in 1988. Rory returned to Nevada and began the practice of law. At the age of thirty, he became the Senior Vice President and General Counsel of a local company. After his tenure as corporate counsel, he went on to become a partner at Lionel Sawyer & Collins, a Nevada law firm.*2

Additionally, Las Vegas Life Magazine recently named Rory �Best Up and Coming Politician� in Southern Nevada.

Commissioner Reid was sworn into office as County Commissioner on January 6, 2003, to Commission District "G". That term expires the first Monday in January 2007.

Commissioner Reid was appointed by his colleagues as County Commission Chairman on January 3, 2005.

Commissioner Reid was chosen by his fellow commissioners in the current term to serve in the following capacities:

Criminal Justice Advisory Commission

Clark County District Board of Health

Southern Nevada Water Authority

As a Clark County Commissioner, Rory also serves on the following boards/committees:

Boards of Trustees � Clark County Water Reclamation District

Board of Trustees � Big Bend Water District

Board of Trustees � Kyle Canyon Water District

Board of Directors � Las Vegas Valley Water District

Liquor and Gaming Licensing Board

Rory has previously served as:

Member - Metropolitan Police Committee on Fiscal Affairs

Vice Chair � Local Law Enforcement Advisory Committee

Member - Nevada Development Authority

Rory has served as the Chairman of the Nevada Democratic Party. After his election to that post, he instituted significant and meaningful changes in the party structure that resulted in a more stable, cohesive and effective organization.

He has also served on the following:

Nevada Taxicab Authority, Vice Chair

Clark County Citizens Committee on Efficiency in Government, Member

California Congressman Matthew Martinez, Legislative Aide

Las Vegas Natural History Museum Board of Directors

Boy Scouts of America, Boulder Dam Area Council � Board of Directors

Clark County Public Education Foundation

Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth Advisory Board

Rory has long been active in his community. He has donated his time to numerous local, state and national political campaigns. He co-founded Nevadans for Public Awareness. He also has donated his time as a Cub Scout Leader.

Rory and his wife Cindy are the proud parents of three children.*3

---------------------------------------------
References

*1. Denton, Mark; Vega, Valorie; and Chang, Tiffany. 'Chairman of Clark County Commission ---Rory Reid was promoted to Adjunct Associate Professor of GSBPA by WBTI,' "On the section of 'Business & Administration' of WBTI website," (November 28, 2005), Las Vegas, Nevada: WBTI.
*2. Reid, Rory. 'A profile of Rory Reid,' "A search of 'Chairman Rory Reid' on the Google.com," (March 7, 2006), Mountain View, California: Google.com.
*3. Ibid.

Feb. 24, 2006
Copyright � Las Vegas Review-Journal

Starwood Hotels & Resorts agrees to operate two Las Vegas Sands hotels at Macau casino
By HELEN LUK
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

HONG KONG -- U.S. casino operator Las Vegas Sands Corp. announced Thursday that luxury hotelier Starwood has agreed to operate two Sands hotels in a massive casino complex it is building in the Chinese gaming enclave of Macau.

The companies said in a statement that they "have entered into a nonbinding letter of intent" and expect to finalize the deal before the end of the second quarter this year.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide will operate a new 1,200-room Sheraton hotel and a new 300-room St. Regis hotel in the Cotai area, touted by Las Vegas Sands as Macau's version of the Strip.

"Starwood's participation furthers our goal of establishing the Cotai Strip as Asia's Las Vegas," Sheldon Adelson, chairman and chief executive of Las Vegas Sands said in the statement.

The value of the agreement wasn't disclosed.

The hotels will form a complex that will house a casino and other shopping and entertainment facilities, all of which will be operated by Las Vegas Sands.

"As we continue to aggressively develop hotels throughout China to secure our position as the country's number one operator of upscale and luxury properties, this was a great opportunity to fly our flags," Starwood Chief Executive Officer Steven Heyer said.

Starwood now has 22 hotels and resorts under development in mainland China under its various brands.

Las Vegas Sands is among the two new casino operators granted licenses in Macau since 2002 when the local government ended a four-decade monopoly held by gaming mogul Stanley Ho.

The U.S. company, which operates The Venetian in Las Vegas, opened the Sands Macau casino in May 2004 and is building its flagship property, Venetian Macau. It has previously announced other hotel projects in the Cotai Strip with various chains, including Shangri-La Asia and Four Seasons.

Macau, a former Portuguese colony, returned to Chinese rule in 1999. Thousands of Hong Kong and Chinese gamblers, who have no casinos at home, flock to the tiny enclave every year.

Starwood shares rose 21 cents, or 0.33 percent, Thursday to close at $64.06 on the New York Stock Exchange. Las Vegas Sands Corp. shares rose 80 cents, or 1.46 percent, to close at $55.67, also on the NYSE.

Jan. 20, 2006
Copyright � Las Vegas Review-Journal

COUNTY COMMISSION RACES: Two raise nearly $1 million
Boggs McDonald, Reid prove to be good fundraisers
By ADRIENNE PACKER
REVIEW-JOURNAL

[[[Lynette Boggs McDonald
Rory Reid]]]

Clark County Commissioners Rory Reid and Lynette Boggs McDonald each have raised nearly $1 million in efforts to be re-elected for another four-year term.

Both received heavy boosts from the development community, including architectural firms, holding companies and suppliers.

Boggs McDonald collected about $388,000 from the development community while Reid took in about $360,000.

The two incumbents also received generous support from the gaming industry with Reid collecting about $185,000 from local casinos and Boggs McDonald receiving $155,000.

Reid, a Democrat who so far faces no challenger in the November election, raised a total of $971,000 through the end of last year.

"You need to run like you're running against the most formidable person imaginable," Reid said. "I'm gratified people support me; it's kind of humbling."

Reid said he is simply trying to put himself in a position to win a race and pursue the goals he set out to meet four years ago. He added that it is unfortunate commission races have become such expensive and time-consuming endeavors.

"It's good all the disclosure that is required," Reid said. "We've done a lot to create a situation where the public is aware of who our contributors are."

The upcoming election is the second commission race Boggs McDonald has been involved in since she was appointed to her District F seat by Gov. Kenny Guinn in April 2004.

The appointment came after Commissioner Mark James abruptly resigned from the board.

Boggs McDonald, a Republican, was appointed to the seat until the following election in November 2004. She won that race and was allowed to serve until January 2007, when James' term was scheduled to expire.

The commissioner, who oversees the fast-growing southwest that is District F, was supported primarily by gaming companies and developers.

Although she received funds from several casinos, Station Casinos has yet to contribute to her campaign, according to finance reports filed with the Clark County Election Department on Tuesday.

Boggs McDonald resigned from Station Casinos' board of directors shortly after she took office. She was roundly criticized by opponents of Red Rock Station when she supported the project.

Last week, Susan Brager, a member of the Clark County School Board, announced plans to run against Boggs McDonald. Brager, a Democrat, has yet to file for her candidacy.

Boggs McDonald could not be reached for comment Thursday. Her campaign manager, Sarah Nelson, said Boggs McDonald's success in fundraising is a reflection of her hard work.

"Lynette's a great fundraiser and an extremely hard-working commissioner," Nelson said. "I think the numbers reflect the job she's done on the commission. People like working with her. She's a straight talker and people always know where she's coming from."

County Commissioner Myrna Williams, seeking her fourth term on the board, is looking at what could be her toughest challenge since she first ran for the job in 1994.

Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, also a Democrat, announced last month her intention to run for Williams' District E seat.

Like her fellow incumbent commissioners, Williams received generous contributions from the development community and the gaming industry. Of the $492,000 she has raised to date, $205,000 came from the development-related companies and $185,000 from casinos.

Giunchigliani has raised $205,000, with most of her money coming from labor organizations, attorneys and private business owners.

Commissioners Yvonne Atkinson Gates and Bruce Woodbury, who each won re-election in 2004, showed receiving no contributions during the yearlong reporting period ending Dec. 31. The next election they face will be in 2008.

Commissioner Tom Collins, who began his first term on the board in January 2005, received $9,500 and Commissioner Chip Maxfield, who was re-elected in 2004, showed he received $3,500 in contributions last year. Their next election also is 2008.

Google.cn and Google.com published this section [Rory Reid, Chairman (of Clark County Commission)] on December 28, 2005. It covers about the 25 fliers from May 3, 2005 to December 26, 2005.

Just type your name, your concerned, the name of an organization, an event, or a report like "chairman rory reid", "Dr. Rory Reid, our Adjunct Associate Professor of the Graduate School of Business and Public Administration (GSBPA) of Washington Business and Technology Institute", "The following information have been received from the search of 'associate professor rory reid' on the Google.cn", "asseblywoman valerie weber", "I called Dr. Tony Lei this morning and was inspired that", "Greetings from Assemblywoman Valerie Weber of the Nevada State Assembly to Dr. Tony Lei", "Originally from California, Nevada Assemblywoman Valerie Weber moved to Nevada", "The following information have been received from the search of", "Asseblywoman Valerie Weber" on the Google.cn in the morning on October 13, "justice bill maupin", "The following information have been received from the search of 'justice bill maupin' on the Google.com and Google.cn", "In 1997, Justice Maupin was honored with the Roger D. Foley Professionalism Award and was named in Who's Who in America.", "兩岸春節包機 廈門至台北首航售罄", "兩岸春節包機擴大對象　台生可搭", "����ӛ�����", "���A���^��ϯ", "ī���•�^������", "֥�njW��������� ���ʿ���", etc.); or your name followed by wbti (like "rory reid wbti", "valerie weber wbti", "Michele Anderson wbti", "馬英九 wbti", "��녵� wbti", "馬培道 wbti", "˾ͽ���� wbti", "����� wbti", and among others)please, and what can you find the good thing that Google and WBTI have for you?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday December 8, 2005

Contact: Dorothy Wright, Cultural Affairs / Publicity
Phone: (702) 455-8242
E-mail: DRW@co.clark.nv.us

Commission Chairman Reid to Announce
Major Expansion of Wetlands Park

Clark County Commission Chairman Rory Reid will announce the start of several long-awaited projects that will more than double the size of the Wetlands Park at a groundbreaking ceremony and news conference on Monday, December 12 at 10:30 a.m. at the entrance to the park on East Tropicana Avenue and Wetlands Park Lane.

A golf cart tour of the existing 130-acre Nature Preserve will be offered to the media immediately following the groundbreaking ceremony. The Nature Preserve features two miles of concrete walking trails, graveled secondary trails, a bird-viewing blind, ponds, trail markers, and aesthetic views of the nearby alluvial fan and mountains of Rainbow Gardens.

Projects that will be underway shortly include the 80-acre Nature Preserve expansion, which includes a five-acre neighborhood park, the Primary Trails Phase I, the north access road, the Sunrise Trailhead and the Nature Preserve trail renovation project. In the next few months there will be a total of 200 newly developed acres, featuring trails, streams and habitat viewing, to add to the 130 existing developed acres.

Upcoming projects include the 100-acre Ducks Unlimited wetlands, which will start construction upon completion of the Primary Trails Phase 1. Construction of other trailheads, habitat restoration and eventually the Visitor/Nature Center will follow.

"The Wetlands Park is home to hundreds of species of birds and other wildlife and is a great refuge for those who want to get away and escape the distractions of the city," Reid said. "Now we�re going to expand the park and provide our citizens with more reasons to visit."

Among the species visitors to the Wetlands Park might see are the great blue heron, the black-necked stilt, the white-faced ibis, the western grebe, the turkey vulture and the red-winged blackbird.

Funding is provided by, among others, the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act ($48 million) and the 2002 Question 1 State Bond ($10 million.) The groundbreaking site is located at the east end of Tropicana. Continue east on Wetlands Park Lane to the cul-de-sac, which will be blocked off for vehicle parking.

For further information, contact Dorothy Wright at 455-8242, cell 249-1943 or email drw@co.clark.nv.us. More information about the park is at www.accessclarkcounty.com/parks.

Dr. Rory Reid, our Adjunct Associate Professor of the Graduate School of Business and Public Administration (GSBPA) of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI), was sworn into office as the Chairman of Clark County Commission in Nevada on January 3, 2005.

"Through the recommendations by our faculty members including District Judges Mark Denton and Valorie Vega, Dr. Rory Reid has been promoted from Adjunct Assistant Professor to Adjunct Associate Professor of Business Law, Graduate School of Business and Public Administration (GSBPA), by Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI) on December 3, 2004," announced Dr. John Wang, Spokesman of WBTI, on Monday, December 6, 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada, U. S. A.*1

---------------------------------------------
Reference

*1. Denton, Mark; Vega, Valorie; and Chang, Tiffany. 'Chairman of Clark County Commission ---Rory Reid was promoted to Adjunct Associate Professor of GSBPA by WBTI,' "On the section of 'Business & Administration' of WBTI website," (November 28, 2005), Las Vegas, Nevada: WBTI.

---------------------------------------------
Reference

*1. Clark County Commission of Nevada. 'A profile of Rory Reid,' "A search of 'Chairman Rory Reid' on the Google.com," (October 21, 2005), Mountain View, California: Google.com.