Advisory Board: Governor Kenny Guinn, Chairman; U. S. Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Vice Chairmen; U. S. Representatives James Gibbons and Shelley Berkley, and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, Executive Directors.
U. S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao
Chairperson
Dr. Tony T. Lei
President
District Judges Mark Denton and Valorie Vega
Vice Presidents
Dr. William N. Thompson
Director of Public Administration Institution
Dr. E. Lee Bernick and Dr. G. Keong Leong
Deans of Graduate School of Business and Public Administration
Dr. Sue Fawn Chung
Director of Culture Institution
Justice of the Supreme Court William Maupin, Attorney General Brian Sandoval, and District Judge Stewart Bell, Honorary Chairmen of Clark County District Attorney and Police Civil Commission (CCDAPCC)
District Attorney David Roger and Clark County Sheriff Bill Young
Chairmen of CCDAPCC
(702) 255-9058
*It's our pleasure to pay a tribute to the above officials who dedicate to the civic and community service spects of our organization in an honorary or adjunct capacity.

-----------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECT UPDATE
By Kenny C. Guinn*1

The Nevada Department of Transportation is in the midst of a massive undertaking - the largest highway construction program ever for the State of Nevada. Close to $2 billion has been committed for current and future state transportation projects to address one of the most pressing needs here in the country's fastest growing state. I would like to give you a quick update on a few of these projects, as they represent a reduction of traffic congestion in our metropolitan areas while also providing thousands of new jobs and stimulating our state's economy.*2

In the Las Vegas area, projects completed in 2004 or currently under construction include (project costs in parentheses): U.S. 95 widening at Rainbow Curve and Summerlin Interchange ($42 million); Nevada¡¯s approach to Hoover Dam ($32 million); Interstate 215/I-515 Henderson Interchange and extension of I-215 Beltway ($82 million); upgrade of full interchange of I-15 at Lamb Boulevard ($17.5 million); I-15 widening at Union Pacific Railroad overcrossing ($7.4 million); and Rancho Road, from U.S. 95 to Washington Avenue resurface and restripe, ($7 million).

In Reno/Carson City, projects completed in 2004 or currently under construction include: I-580 freeway extension, from Reno to Washoe Valley - Phase 1 of four bridges ($80 million); Carson City Freeway, from Arrowhead to U.S. 50 East ($69 million); U.S. 395/I-80 Reno Spaghetti Bowl, reconstruct interchange ($53 million); and U.S. 395 Clear Acre Lane and North McCarran Bridge ($31 million), which is being administered by the Washoe County Regional Transportation Commission.

In addition, four new projects are in the early stages of construction or will begin construction in 2004: U.S. 95 widening from Martin Luther King Boulevard to Jones Boulevard in Las Vegas ($195 million); I-80 from Keystone Avenue to Robb Drive in Reno, westbound truck climbing lane ($8 million); U.S. 50/U.S. 95A Fernley to Fallon, reconstruct intersection ($11 million); U.S. 50 Lake Tahoe, binwall replacement ($3.6 million). Construction will also begin for the central Mesquite interchange on I-15 ($7 million); and $52 million has been earmarked for resurfacing, rehabilitation, and reconstruction projects throughout the state.

In the future, additional funding of nearly $500 million is planned for projects in southern Nevada, and another $430 million is slated for projects in northern Nevada.

As your Governor and chairman of the State Transportation Board, I am determined to support the improvement of our transportation infrastructure to keep Nevada's traffic flowing smoothly, safely, and efficiently for many years to come.*3

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

*1. Dr. Kenny C. Guinn is the Governor of Nevada, U. S. A..
*2. Ofiice of the Governor. 'A Message from Governor Kenny C. Guinn -- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECT UPDATE,' " An e-mail from the Office of Governor Kenny Guinn to Dr. Tony Lei," (May 5, 2004), Carson City, Nevada: Office of Governor Kenny C. Guinn.
*3. Ibid.

***About the Author:

Kenny Guinn, 67, earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in Physical Education from Fresno State University and later obtained a doctorate in Education from Utah State University in Logan. He was named Superintendent of Schools in Clark County and served with distinction in that position until 1978.

In his work for the Clark County School District, Guinn was recognized as an effective administrator committed to educational excellence at a time when the county was experiencing exponential student growth. His service to Clark County students was honored when Kenny C. Guinn Junior High School was named for him.

In 1978, Guinn began applying his management skills in business as Administrative Vice President for Nevada Savings and Loan in Las Vegas, which later became PriMerit Bank. At PriMerit, he was appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Las Vegas-based bank. Soon thereafter, Guinn was recruited to the energy business as the President of Southwest Gas Corporation and eventually became Chairman of the Board of Directors of that utility in 1993.

In 1994, Guinn was recruited by the University of Nevada Board of Regents to serve as interim president of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.

In addition to his one-year term at UNLV, Guinn served the state in leadership roles on a variety of committees and commissions, including the Clark County Community College Advisory Committee, the UNLV Foundation Board of Trustees, the White House Conference on Children and Youth, among others.

Guinn has also worked in his community in a variety of volunteer roles, ranging from involvement in the Boy Scouts and Pop Warner Football to the United Way of Southern Nevada and the Southern Nevada Independent Youth Athletic Association.

Dr. Kenny Guinn is now the Governor of Nevada, U. S. A. at his second term.

-------------------------------------
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman to make proposal to elect, rather than appoint, member
By Michael Squires and PAI of WBTI*1

Through the courtesy of Las Vegas Review-Journal, Public Administration Institution(PAI) of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI) is pleased to post the following article:

Wednesday, May 05, 2004
Copyright @ Las Vegas Review-Journal

CITY COUNCIL OPENING: Special election considered

Mayor to make proposal to elect, rather than appoint, member*2

By MICHAEL SQUIRES
REVIEW-JOURNAL

The Las Vegas City Council appears ready to move forward with a special election this summer to fill the Ward 2 council seat vacated by Lynette Boggs McDonald.

Mayor Oscar Goodman will propose today that the council drop plans to appoint Boggs McDonald's replacement and instead allow the district's voters to make the decision. If Goodman's plan gains support, the council would vote on the proposal in a special meeting May 11.

"I think anytime you can give people the right to be heard, that's the more prudent way to go," the mayor said Tuesday. "We'll see whether the council goes along with that."

City Clerk Barbara Jo Ronemus has in recent days discussed the feasibility of a special election with the secretary of state's office and Clark County officials. Ronemus, who will report to the council today on the potential costs and timetable for a special election, declined to comment on specifics until after she gives her report.

However, a city source indicated the council will choose between a conventional election with polling at a limited number of Ward 2 sites and a through-the-mail election in which ballots would be mailed to the district's 34,000 active registered voters.

One timetable would schedule the winner-takes-all special election for June 22, with the newly elected member of the council taking office July 7. Candidates would file for office over three days later this month.

"With the timetable that I'm looking at and trying to accomplish, we'll have someone sworn in on July 7," Goodman said.

Another option, which would allow more time for candidate filing, would push the special election to July 20.

Estimated costs for the election range from $50,000 to $80,000.

Councilman Larry Brown, who supports a special election if the costs and timetable are reasonable, said he favors holding it as soon as possible because the winner will have to run again in next year's municipal election.

"If we drag this out beyond four or five months, then the winner will have to turn around and run in another four or five months," he said. "You don't want to split it up so it's a race and a race."

Councilwoman Janet Moncrief, who also said she supports a special election to fill the Ward 2 seat, said the council also needs to allow adequate time for candidates to campaign.

Under Goodman's proposal, there would be no need to appoint a caretaker to hold the seat until the special election, as some have speculated.

The city charter requires council vacancies be filled within 30 days. May 19 will mark 30 days since Boggs McDonald stepped down to accept an appointment to the Clark County Commission.

But, Goodman noted, the state statute that allows cities to use special elections in lieu of appointments supersedes the Las Vegas charter.

Since Boggs McDonald's resignation last month, the mayor and council have remarked on the large number of qualified candidates who have applied for the Ward 2 opening. More than a dozen candidates have submitted resumes and sat for interviews.

A few of the candidates include architect and former Planning Commissioner Craig Galati; Robert Genzer, the city's planning director and a 30-year City Hall veteran; Terry Garcia-Cahlan, a former city staffer and consultant to state agencies; and longtime attorney Steve Wolfson, who boasts endorsements from the Las Vegas Police Protective Association and two neighborhood groups.

"I got through all 16 interviews and there were three or four people who could do the job, no question," Brown said. "I think from the people's perspective it's (a special election) probably the safer way to go."

Councilman Michael Mack agreed.

"There's been so many qualified candidates, it's been difficult to choose one who has risen to the top," he said. "I think a special election, with the voice being heard from Ward 2 residents, would speak volumes to the needs of this community."

Councilman Gary Reese, who became disenchanted with the appointment process when he unsuccessfully sought an appointment before winning office in 1995, first initiated the city's consideration of a Ward 2 special election last week.

"I'm still in favor of a special election," he said Tuesday. "I've preached that since I tried to get an appointment."*3

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

*1. PAI is the initial of Public Administration Institution of Wasngton Business and Technology Institute (WBTI).
*2. Squires, Michael. 'Mayor to make proposal to elect, rather than appoint, member,' "Las Vegas Review-Journal," (May 5, 2004), Las Vegas, Nevada: reviewjournal.com.
*3. Ibid.

Advisory Board: Governor Kenny Guinn, Chairman; U. S. Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Vice Chairmen; U. S. Representatives James Gibbons and Shelley Berkley, and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, Executive Directors.
U. S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao
Chairperson
Dr. Tony T. Lei
President
District Judges Mark Denton and Valorie Vega
Vice Presidents
Dr. William N. Thompson
Director of Public Administration Institution
Dr. E. Lee Bernick and Dr. G. Keong Leong
Deans of Graduate School of Business and Public Administration
Dr. Sue Fawn Chung
Director of Culture Institution
Justice of the Supreme Court William Maupin, Attorney General Brian Sandoval, and District Judge Stewart Bell, Honorary Chairmen of Clark County District Attorney and Police Civil Commission (CCDAPCC)
District Attorney David Roger and Clark County Sheriff Bill Young
Chairmen of CCDAPCC
(702) 255-9058
*It's our pleasure to pay a tribute to the above officials who dedicate to the civic and community service spects of our organization in an honorary or adjunct capacity.

-----------------------------------------
Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn appoints Ace Robison to Colorado River Commission
By Office of Governor Kenny Guinn*1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 5, 2004 Contact Greg Bortolin or John Trent*2
775-684-5670
Gov. Guinn appoints robison to colorado river commission

CARSON CITY - Governor Kenny Guinn today announced the appointment of Ace Robison of Logandale to the Colorado River Commission.

"Ace Robison has the perfect background to address the important issues that fall the Colorado River Commission," Gov. Guinn said. "As a native Nevadan with vast experience at both the state and federal level, Ace will be an intelligent voice regarding the body of water that is Southern Nevada's lifeblood."

Robison, 60, is a fourth generation native of rural Southern Nevada. He has served as an investigator with the Clark County District Attorney's Office, Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Paul Laxalt, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy and Director of Public Affairs with the U.S. Dept. of Energy, and is currently Senior Partner with Robison/Seidler, Inc., a Nevada based consulting firm.

"I am deeply honored to receive this appointment from Governor Guinn," Robison said. "When the commission was formed in 1935 it was charged with securing and protecting the rights and interests of the State of Nevada in the waters of the Colorado River and the power generated at dams on the river. Much has changed in Nevada since 1935, including an expanded role for the Colorado River Commission, but the fundamental charge to the Commission has remained the same. I look forward to working on behalf of Nevada to enhance the economic circumstances of Nevada through optimum utilization of resources under the jurisdiction of the Colorado River Commission."

The Colorado River Commission consists of seven members. Four members are appointed by the Governor and three members are appointed by the board of directors of the Southern Nevada Water Authority.

Robison replaces the late Lamond Mills on the commission.*3
*****Office of the Governor Grant Sawyer State Office Building
101 North Carson Street 555 East Washington, Suite 5100
Carson City, NV 89701 Las Vegas, NV 89101
Fax: 775-684-7198 Fax: 702-486-2505

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

*1. Dr. Kenny C. Guinn is the Governor of Nevada, U. S. A..
*2. Ofiice of the Governor. 'News Release from Governor Kenny C. Guinn --- May 5, 2004; Gov. Guinn appoints robison to colorado river commission,' " An e-mail from the Office of Governor Kenny Guinn to Dr. Tony Lei," (May 5, 2004), Carson City, Nevada: Office of Governor Kenny Guinn.
*3. Ibid.

Advisory Board: Governor Kenny Guinn, Chairman; U. S. Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Vice Chairmen; U. S. Representatives James Gibbons and Shelley Berkley, and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, Executive Directors.
U. S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao
Chairperson
Dr. Tony T. Lei
President
District Judges Mark Denton and Valorie Vega
Vice Presidents
Dr. William N. Thompson
Director of Public Administration Institution
Dr. E. Lee Bernick and Dr. G. Keong Leong
Deans of Graduate School of Business and Public Administration
Dr. Sue Fawn Chung
Director of Culture Institution
Justice of the Supreme Court William Maupin, Attorney General Brian Sandoval, and District Judge Stewart Bell, Honorary Chairmen of Clark County District Attorney and Police Civil Commission (CCDAPCC)
District Attorney David Roger and Clark County Sheriff Bill Young
Chairmen of CCDAPCC
(702) 255-9058
*It's our pleasure to pay a tribute to the above officials who dedicate to the civic and community service spects of our organization in an honorary or adjunct capacity.

-----------------------------------------
Freedom, Democracy, Judicial ruling, and Entrepreneurship
By GSBPA of WBTI*1

As Dr. Tony Lei inspires us that the four precious and valuable properties owned by the United States of America are Freedom, Democracy, judicial ruling, and Entrepreneurship, our Graduate School of Business and Public Administration (GSBPA) is promoting the cooperation and development of international tourism, business, education, and culture. To contribute to the Asian countries with the spirit of innovation and entrpreneurship, we need to emphasize our programs with our global e-business technology managemnt. We are surrounded by lots of e-business entreprises in this 21th Century era of businees world. An e-busineess entreprise is a business that uses the Internet, intranets, extranets, and other computer networks to support electronic business process, decision making, and team and workgroup collaboration within the enterprise and among its customers, suppliers, and other business partners.

One of our purposes is to strenghten our business prgrams with the emphasis of e-business technology management. We will encourage the management of information technology in our international e-business entreprises by three functions. We expect our e-business entriprises will make their managing information technologies effective by : (1)the joint development and implementation of e-business and Information Technology ( IT ) strategies by business and IT executives, (2)managing the research and implementation of new information technologies and the development of e-business applications, and (3)managing IT processes, professionals, and subunits within company's IT organization and Information System (IS) function.*2

Computer and technology are as natural as the air for the people in today's workplace which is teeming wih individuals who have terrific idea and a great deal to contribute. "In 'WinningWays,' Dick Lyles gives us four very powerful strategies that all of us can use to improve our relatioships with others and increase our own level of success. These are the best guidelines I've seen to help you unleash your power and reach your maximum potential," wrote Dr. Ken Blanchard.*3 The four powerful strtegies for the secret of winning ways are: (1). Make people feel stronger rather than weaker as a result of your interactions wih them. (2). Camels are Okay. In fact, today's camel builders will be tommorrow's leaders. (3). Avoid two-valued thinking traps, because very few decisions are choices between right and wrong or good and bad. (4). Influence for the future, rather than the present or the past.

"I share with the philosophy of 'management is nothing more than motivating other people,' by Lee Iacocca. I agree with our U. S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley that once she said, 'The knowledge delivered by the publications of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI) through its multimedia inspire us with a positive thinking to love our people, community, professionalism, and country.' I'm also impressed by the Graduate School of Business and Public Administration (GSBPA) of WBTI which quoted again lots of valuable words of positive thinking and wisdom," said Judge Nancy Saitta, District Justice of Nevada. She likes to read the WBTI website (http://communitylink.reviewjournal.com/lvrj/wbti) with good knowledge and creative design. Even as the number 53,477th visitor of the website, she is proud to be on the list. We express regret for that the numbers of this website are limited because of its contends by nature of the academic and professioal features. Intelletuals may ask that "How many people could and should be the readers of the book written by our famous scientist Albert Einstein?"

You never know! By adding the number of visitors who access it from the search engines leading giants such as Google.com, Yahoo.com, Infoseek.com, among others, the number of visitors to WBTI website are numerous.

We are quite encouraged through the commends of their visiting either by President Dr. Andrew Benton of Pepperdine University, U. S. Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Chancellor Dr. Charles Runnels of Pepperdine University, U. S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, Judge Betsy Kolkoski, among others, or by their Secretary. And thus, we try to offer you the following inspiration of the golden words of wisdom:

"A word aptly spoken is like apple of gold in settings of silver." --- Proverbs 25 : 11
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12 : 10
"Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend spring from his earnest counsel." --- Proverbs 27 : 9
"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."
--- Proverbs 15 : 22
"The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining." --- John F. Kennedy
"Seven days without laughter makes one weak." --- Joel Goodman
"Today, more than ever before, every person is a potential user of computers." --- Marilyn Bohl, in her Preface of "Information Processing," 3rd Ed., 1980.
"To be a college or graduate student at this new era, especially in the field of business, she or he should owns four kinds of ability in computing: (1) Word processing, (2) Electronic spreadsheets, (3) Data base management, and (4) Statistical analysis and Charts. As a modern manager and any professionl in business, she or he is more productive in work performance with her or his good talent in computers. --- Tony Tung-tien Lei, M. B. A.; in his Preface of "Mangement Information," 1st Ed. Dec. 1987.
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."
--- Proverbs 16 : 3
"He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend." --- Proverbs 22 : 11
"All hard work brings a profit." --- Proverbs 14 : 23
"The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty." --- Proverbs 21 : 5
"The reward for work done is the opportunity to do more." --- Jonas Salk, MD
"I think the next best thing to solving a problem is finding some humor in it." --- Frank A. Clark
"Freedom is the oxygen of the soul." --- Moshe Dayan
"With sincere love, it's like living in Heaven. On the other hand, with cruel hate, it's like living in Hell. Fighting and malice for selfish gain belong to Hell. Cooperation and encouragement to promote quality of life are attitudes of Heaven." --- Tony T. Lei, Ed. D.
"Do to others as you would have them do to you." --- Luke 6 : 31
"A man finds joy in giving an apt reply --- and how good is a timely word!" --- Proverbs 15 : 23
"One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty." --- Proverbs 11 : 24
"The great Winston Churchill said, 'We all make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.' Tony, I know that you like to exemplify this inspiration same as it's my driving force by which I start out each day." --- Natalie L. Tyrrell
"Freedom, Democracy, judicial ruling, and Entrepreneurship are the best four treasures of the United States of America." --- Dr. Tony T. Lei
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" --- Vincent Van Gogh
"Nothing great was ever done without much enduring." --- St. Catherine of Siena
"Anthing you're good at contributes to happiness." --- Bertrand Russell
"To a friend's house the road is never long." --- Anonymous
"The secret of joy in work is contained in one word --- excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it." --- Pearl Buck
"The paralleled practice of both the positive thinking and love in action through the skills with good personal traits such as enthusiam, belief, intellegence, creativity, judgement, liveliness, vision, courage, desire to excel, and persistence, will help people pursue a rich , happier , and successful life." --- Tony T. Lei, Ed. D.

With the above words of wisdom, we are glad to have our leaders's inspiration and encouragement for the cooperation and development on tourism and business among international countries with Nevada:

Governor Kenny Guinn of Nevada reminds us that tourism is the bedrock of Nevada's economy. To expand and diversify our domestic and international markets are absolutely essential to our long-term economic growth and stability.*4

Governor Kenny Guinn and Lt. Govenor Lorraine Hunt said that Nevada's tourism industry must continue to expand its offerings and reach out to diverse markets that range from outdoor enthusiasts to residents of the world's most populous nation. Speaking at the general session of the Governor's Conference on Tourism at Caesars Palace, he and she each praised Nevada's continuing efforts to supplement its gaming-based core with non-gaming amenities such as shopping, dinning, and outdoor recreation.*5

Governor Guinn expresses that he can not overemphasize the significance and importance of bringing attention to all the attractions to Nevada at a time when it faces unprecedented competition for gaming customers. He believes that we are wise to expand our marketing efforts and focus on developing markets in places such as Asia. It is significant for him to point out that in addition to gaming, Nevada has phenomenal cultural, historic, and recreational resources that we must continue to promote. The Governor emphasizes that for our state's economy to thrive, all of the Silver State's tourism opportunities must be effectively marketed to both domestic and international visitors.*6

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

*1. GSBPA of WBTI are the initials of Graduate School of Business and Public Administration (GSBPA) of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI).
*2. O'Brien, James A.. (2003) "Introduction to Information Systems," Boston, N. Y.: McGraw-Hill Irwin.
*3. Lyles, Dick. (2000) "Winning Ways," New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons.
*4. Chang, Tiffany. 'Tourism development and prosperity for Nevada inspired and encouraged by Governor Kenny Guinn and Lt. Governor Lorraine Hunt,' "PPAA18 of WBTI," Las Vegas, Nevada: WBTI.
*5. Ibid.
*6. Ibid.

Advisory Board: Governor Kenny Guinn, Chairman; U. S. Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Vice Chairmen; U. S. Representatives James Gibbons and Shelley Berkley, and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, Executive Directors.
U. S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao
Chairperson
Dr. Tony T. Lei
President
District Judges Mark Denton and Valorie Vega
Vice Presidents
Dr. William N. Thompson
Director of Public Administration Institution
Dr. E. Lee Bernick and Dr. G. Keong Leong
Deans of Graduate School of Business and Public Administration
Dr. Sue Fawn Chung
Director of Culture Institution
Justice of the Supreme Court William Maupin, Attorney General Brian Sandoval, and District Judge Stewart Bell, Honorary Chairmen of Clark County District Attorney and Police Civil Commission (CCDAPCC)
District Attorney David Roger and Clark County Sheriff Bill Young
Chairmen of CCDAPCC
(702) 255-9058
*It's our pleasure to pay a tribute to the above officials who dedicate to the civic and community service spects of our organization in an honorary or adjunct capacity.

-----------------------------------------
Las Vegas Review-Journal today --- EDITORIAL: Up to the voters to decide
By EDITORIAL of LVRJ

Through the courtesy of Las Vegas Review-Journal, the following article was edited by the Public Administration Institution (PAI) of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI) with (in according to) the complete information from Las Vegas Review-Journal on May 2 and May 4 of 2004:*1

Judicial survey
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
Copyright @ Las Vegas Review-Journal

EDITORIAL: Up to the voters to decide*2

Judicial survey can be a handy tool

***Filing for elective offices in Nevada begins this week, and prospective Clark County judicial candidates may want to take a close look at some of the findings of the biennial judicial survey conducted by the Review-Journal and the Clark County Bar Association, and published in the Sunday newspaper.*3

The survey comes with some caveats, of course. Responses were tallied from 764 responding attorneys. (The Bar Association estimates this represents a response rate of about 50 percent from among attorneys who have actually appeared before these judges in recent years.)

Attorneys are human -- hold the lawyer jokes, please -- and as subject as anyone to personal prejudice. Judges (speaking off the record, of course) have occasionally complained that the survey can be used to reward "good-old-boy" jurists who cast a blind eye on the failings of local barristers.

But this unavoidable caveat is vastly outweighed by the fact that -- without the judicial survey -- most voters would be absolutely clueless as they entered the polling place to vote on the retention or replacement of incumbent judges.

Over the years, the survey has proved to be quite an accurate barometer of how judges will fare at the polls. A number of jurists who scored low on past surveys were either cast out by the voters, or folded their tents rather than submit themselves to that final judgment.

Furthermore, assertions that low ratings reflect nothing but the opinions of a few "disgruntled losers" tend to pale when one watches rating trends over a period of time.*4

In 2002, Supreme Court Justices Deborah Agosti and Miriam Shearing received retention ratings of 84 and 78 percent, respectively. This year -- after both joined in the astonishing Guinn v. Legislature decision, which threw out the voter-approved constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds legislative vote to raise taxes -- the two justices saw their retention ratings slip to a dismal 44 and 55 percent, respectively.

Why? "This judge led the charge in blatant abuse and neglect in regards to our state Constitution," one surveyed attorney said of Ms. Agosti. "Given her vote on the tax issue I am happy to see that she is not running for re-election," another said of Justice Shearing.

Both justices have decided to retire rather than face the voters again.

Challengers might expect an uphill battle against jurists like freshman District Court Judge Stewart Bell (a former prosecutor who has gained an early reputation for not tolerating any foot-dragging, and who garnered a 92 percent retention rating) or Las Vegas Justice of the Peace James Bixler (rated at 96 percent).

On the other hand, Karen Bennett-Haron of the Justice Court -- with a retention rating of 39 -- will probably get a closer look from prospective challengers, as will District Court Judge Jessie Walsh, whose retention rating fell from 51 to 31 in two years,*2 and Family Court Judge Lisa Brown, who saw her own retention rating plummet from 64 to 44.

No, the survey may not "tell the whole story." But it can certainly indicate to voters which judges should be put on the spot and asked to explain themselves.

For in the end, it's the voters who will still decide.*5

-------------------------
***To District Judges Jessie Walsh and Kathy Hardcastle the survey is little more than an exercise in petty bickering and chauvinistic behavior designed to even perceived slights. Eight of the 10 judges with the lowest retention scores are women.*6

Walsh received the lowest score among the 60 judges. Her 31 percent retention figure was down from a 51 percent rating two years ago when she served as a Municipal Court judge. Hardcastle earned a retention rating of 67 percent, relatively low by the survey's standards but high enough to keep her out of the bottom 10.

"I think it is what it is," Walsh said. "I was elected by the citizens and not by a handful of disgruntled lawyers."*7

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

*1. LVRJ. 'Editorial,' "Las Vegas Review-Journal," (May 4, 2004), Las Vegas, Nevada: Las Vegas Review-Journal.
*2. EDITORIAL. 'Up to the voters to decide;
Judicial survey can be a handy tool,' "Las Vegas Review-Journal," (May 4, 2004), Las Vegas, Nevada: reviewjournal.com.
*3. Ibid.
*4. Ibid.
*5. Ibid.
*6. Berns, Berns. 'JUDICIAL REVIEW: Lawyers judge judges' performance,' "Las Vegas Review-Journal," (May 2, 2004), Las Vegas, Nevada: reviewjournal.com.
"Nevertheless, Walsh, the freshman district judge, said she has heard of male lawyers getting together to drink beer and rip female judges while jointly filling out the surveys, a claim the Review-Journal has not been able to verify. Hardcastle is equally outspoken in her criticism of the approach she says some lawyers adopt toward female judges when filling out the survey or appearing before them in court," reported Dave Berns.
*7. Ibid.

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------------------------------
'Laws of Attraction' is way too sweet and way too predictable

By Carol Cling

Through the courtesy of Las Vegas Review-Journal, the following is a complete post from "This Week's NEON" of the newspaper. It is appeared today on its reviewjournal.com:

Friday, April 30, 2004
Copyright @ Las Vegas Review-Journal

MOVIE REVIEW: Sugar Shock

'Laws of Attraction' is way too sweet and way too predictable

By CAROL CLING
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Rival divorce attorneys Audrey Woods (Julianne Moore) and Daniel Rafferty (Pierce Brosnan) square off in 'Laws of Attraction."

When you're in a bubbly mood, there's nothing worse than flat champagne. (Or stale ginger ale, for that matter.)

Yet that's the overall impact -- or, more precisely, lack of impact -- "Laws of Attraction" makes.

It works hard to whip up a frothy, opposites-attract romance between two battling divorce lawyers we know are fated to be mated.

Not because there's any inherent chemistry or attraction between them, but that's what the script says, so that's what the movie does.

And is it ever frustrating to watch.

It's painful to see dramatic powerhouse Julianne Moore, one of the best actresses around (catch "Far From Heaven" or "The Hours" for proof), struggle to create something, anything, out of nothing.

It's even more painful to witness Moore fidget and fuss trying to drum up some comic chemistry with leading man Pierce Brosnan, who may be a dramatic lightweight but seems far more at home in the movie's fairy tale world.

Ms. Moore, we have two words for you: lighten up.

Unfortunately, director Peter Howitt ("Johnny English," "Sliding Doors") stole those two words for himself. Even more unfortunately, he seems to confuse lightness with lack of substance.

But it's not all his fault. After all, if it ain't on the page, it definitely ain't on the soundstage. And "Laws of Attraction" definitely ain't on the page.

The screenplay by Aline Brosh McKenna ("Three to Tango") and "Steel Magnolias" playwright Robert Harling ("Soapdish," "The First Wives Club") quickly sets up its predictable premise: the ongoing war of words between uptight, upstanding Audrey Woods (Moore) and raffish Daniel Rafferty (Brosnan), who's never met a dirty trick he didn't like, in or out of the courtroom.

Quicker than you can say "Objection, your honor," Daniel's pursuing Audrey from bar to barroom, with Audrey protesting (a bit too loudly) all the way. And then a few drinks with, and a few winks from, Daniel warm her up -- until she sobers up, that is.

Their professional approach-avoidance tango reaches a climax when they find themselves on opposite sides of a tabloid-worthy divorce case pitting brainless rock star Thorne Jamison ("Underworld's" suitably screaming Michael Sheen) against his fashion designer wife Serena ("A Mighty Wind's" Parker Posey, more pouty than perky this time out).

The couple's legal wrangling centers on who gets custody of their ancient Irish castle where -- you guessed it -- Daniel and Audrey travel to interview the castle staff. Separately, of course, until each discovers that the magic of Ireland (not to mention the magic of Irish whiskey) can turn romantic fancies into realities.

Reluctant romance, of course, has been a comedic staple for centuries. And if you need a reminder of how effective -- and how effervescent -- it can be, may I refer you to the works of William Shakespeare? Or, perhaps, Woody Allen?

If only screenwriters McKenna and Harling had bothered to steal from the best all the way through. Instead, they start off with a classic (Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin's 1949 script for "Adam's Rib," which starred Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn as squabbling attorney spouses) and go downhill from there, borrowing bits and pieces from so many movies that "Laws of Attraction" tastes like overcooked leftovers from multiple meals.

Indeed, they're so busy tossing tidbits into the plot pot they forget to add the most crucial ingredient: motivation, which might explain why the central characters do the myriad lunatic things they do. Yes, to paraphrase the great Martha and the Vandellas, love makes you do foolish things. But there's a difference between depicting foolish things and explaining them -- a difference "Laws of Attraction" clearly doesn't understand.

Director Howitt tries to distract us with some tired slapstick, but the frenetic pacing only serves to highlight the movie's curiously choppy quality.

And so does the Cuisinart-style editing. Somewhere, lying on the cutting-room floor, there may be scenes that explain why the movie's characters do the things they do and feel the way they feel. But you'd never know it from watching "Laws of Attraction."

Most of the fun the movie generates -- and we use the term "fun" loosely -- comes from its supporting characters, who don't have to do any heavy lifting to keep the story's gears grinding.

That enables Frances Fisher to score some genuine zingers as Audrey's mother, a serial divorcee as flighty as Audrey is focused. "Saturday Night Live" veteran Nora Dunn also has some fun with her role as a stern Judge Judy stand-in.

Both Moore and Brosnan prove effortlessly easy on the eyes, of course. But neither turns out to be easy on the brain -- or, even more crucially, the heart.

All too often, their relationship resembles the gooey, chewy Sno Balls for which they share an inexplicable predilection. (Maybe Brosnan got addicted to them while filming "The Mirror Has Two Faces" with Barbra Streisand, whose character ingested mass quantities of them.)

In short, it's puffy, tooth-numbingly sweet -- and full of empty calories.

Just like "Laws of Attraction" itself.

*****This Week's NEON

REVIEW
movie: "Laws of Attraction"
running time: 90 minutes
rating: PG-13; sexual situations, profanity
verdict: C
now playing: Cinedome, Colonnade, Neonopolis, Orleans, Rainbow, Rancho, Sam's Town, Showcase, Sunset, Texas, Village Square

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References

*1. Cling, Carol. '"Laws of Attraction" is way too sweet and way too predictable,' "Las Vegas Review-Journal," (May 4, 2004), Las Vega, Nevada: reviewjournal.com.
*2. Ibid.