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

Goodman sees county's stance on sports arena as 'silliness'
By DAVID McGRATH SCHWARTZ
REVIEW-JOURNAL
Mayor Oscar Goodman lashed out Wednesday at county commissioners and casinos who have questioned using tax dollars to build a new arena with a professional team anchoring it.

"The county, it's like a prostitute almost, haggling about price," he said at the Las Vegas City Council meeting. "They're saying, 'It's OK to have this funding gap to have this arena without a professional team, but if we have a professional team it's going to cost more.' To me, that's silliness."

A report adopted Wednesday by the City Council said that the valley needs a new $405 million arena to replace the Thomas & Mack Center. That cost doesn't include land, infrastructure or parking.

Basing a pro sports team in the arena would require an annual public subsidy of nearly $27 million, according to the report prepared by the consultant Conventions, Sports & Leisure International.

An arena that instead focused on concerts, rodeos and other events without a pro sports anchor tenant would require only $11 million a year from taxpayers because revenue-generating operations would not need to be handed over to a private sports team.

County commissioners on Tuesday questioned whether the added cost of a professional sports team was worth it.

"I was very disappointed, and I was sorely disappointed to be quite frank with you, when I read some of the commentary of county officials," Goodman said. "It seems to me that was political posturing. The easiest thing for a politician to say is, 'We're not going to spend any taxpayer money.' But that's not what's at issue here. What's at issue here is to make this into a world-class city."

Goodman pointed to the excitement and community interest in UNLV men's basketball when Jerry Tarkanian was coaching as a smaller-scale example of what a pro sports team could mean to the valley.

In an interview Wednesday, Reid stood by the County Commission's position regarding a pro sports team.

"I think the disagreement here is whether we can afford one," Reid said. "We'd all love to have one. I'd love to be watching a Las Vegas sports team courtside. I just think the questions need to be asked."

The county still is trying to deal with explosive growth, the need for more jail space and problems with Child Protective Services, he said.

Reid wants private landowners and developers to come forward with proposals and show a willingness to help. "They need to step up. It's impossible to decide whether this is something we can do until we see what they will contribute to the effort," he said.

Bill Rhoda, a principal with the consultant, told the City Council that the new arena could be built and a NBA or NHL franchise added later.

Goodman has said that he wants to see a arena with a pro sports team downtown in part because it would help revitalize the city's core.

"Naysayers are certainly welcome. It's America," Goodman said. "But if they think this is going to stop a quest to have such a facility, if they think it's going to impede potential discussions with professional sports franchises, they'll certainly be disappointed."

The City Council and County Commission directed their top managers to meet to discuss sites and financing options.

Goodman has said that he has ways to build an arena without taxpayer money if an NBA or NHL franchise is involved. He has not said how that would happen.

City Councilman Steve Wolfson said the city should move forward by itself if necessary.

"We should take the lead. The city shouldn't sit back anymore," he said.

Goodman also took on casinos who have argued that because they built their casinos without public money, an NBA or NHL owner shouldn't get taxpayer contributions to a new arena. "I think they don't want somebody leaving the casinos for four hours to see a basketball game or a hockey game," he said.

Nov. 17, 2006
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS: Goodman still bullish on arena
Mayor's stance contradicts report's conclusion on funding
By DAVID McGRATH SCHWARTZ
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Damn the consultants. Mayor Oscar Goodman is going full speed ahead with the idea of building a new arena downtown.

Goodman said Thursday he thinks a new arena could be built without taxpayer money if an NBA or NHL team is involved. His stance comes despite the position of a report that is expected to be approved by a task force today.

The report, paid for by the city and Clark County, maintains that between $11 million and $27 million a year of public money would be needed to build a new $404 million arena to replace the Thomas & Mack Center.

But Goodman said he is in talks with parties that would bring a professional sports team and new arena without public money.

"No one's going to privately build a stadium unless a team is there," Goodman said at his weekly news conference. "But if the NBA is going to come here, I have ways where I believe it could be built without taxpayer dollars."

He did not disclose how that would happen and would not identify what groups he is talking with.

He said later that if a private business and Clark County moved forward with a new arena south of the Strip, he still would want to see an arena downtown.

"I'd go out and get an NBA team or NHL team and have them build it for us," he said.

Clark County Commission Chairman Rory Reid said Thursday that he was reserving most of his comments until after today's meeting, when the report from consultant Conventions, Sports & Leisure International is approved.

But he said that a public discussion is required if public money would be needed to build a new arena.

"We need to ask the question, is this a priority in the community when we're growing so quickly and have so many other needs?" Reid said.

Pat Christenson, chairman of the arena task force and president of Las Vegas Events, said he would applaud an arena that did not require public money and that would be regarded as a neutral site benefiting all of the casinos.

"If somebody puts that on the table, with no cost at all to the community to do this, and we were allowed to continue to present special events and a professional team, that would be great," he said.

But he said that the conclusions about costs by the consultant were the result of surveying corporations and gauging their interest in buying luxury boxes and seats.

He also said that he thinks the market could support one new arena only.

The task force, which was announced by Reid, Goodman and representatives of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, studied whether the valley needed to replace the Thomas & Mack Center.

The Las Vegas City Council and Clark County Commission each voted to split the $200,000 cost.

The task force's consultant has identified four locations -- two in downtown Las Vegas and two south of the Strip -- as being preferred.

The report said a $404 million arena is needed to replace the Thomas & Mack Center.

The report puts the yearly funding gap -- what the public would need to pay for -- at nearly $11 million per year without a professional sports franchise, based on a 30-year payment schedule.

With a sports team, that amount would balloon to $26.7 million because a pro franchise probably would take all of the revenue from the arena.

Sep. 25, 2006
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Goodman's goal: $1.5 million fundraiser
With no opponent and victory almost guaranteed, mayor aims for record book
By DAVID MCGRATH SCHWARTZ and MOLLY BALL
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman will kick off his campaign for a third and final term next month at a fundraiser at Red Rock Casino. He's hoping to raise $1.5 million, breaking his record of $1.4 million.
Photo by Clint Karlsen.

Andre Agassi, shown acknowledging the applause at his last U.S. Open appearance Sept. 3, was the big attraction at a Washington, D.C., event promoting minimum wage ballot initiatives.
Photo by The Associated Press.

Kim Wallin, the Democratic candidate for state controller, was honored by the American Society of Women Accountants.
Photo by Craig L. Moran.

There's no opponent in sight. He won four years ago with about 86 percent of the vote. And Mayor Oscar Goodman wants to do better.

He'll kick off his campaign for a third and final term with hopes of raising $1.5 million in a single night at a fundraiser at Red Rock Casino next month, according to his campaign consultant.

Instead of a per-seat ticket price or suggested donation, the invitation includes a not-so-subtle reminder that the maximum contribution for an individual or company is $10,000.

So, is the goal of $1.5 million in a single night realistic?

"I always want to break my own records, both in fundraising and popular vote," said Goodman, who claims his fundraising record for a single event is $1.4 million.

Jim Ferrence, his political guru, said about the fundraising expectations, "I'm totally confident we're going to shatter the old record."

As for the popular vote, Ferrence said, "The mayor has always wanted to be around 90 percent, and we hope to get him there."

He added, "Even if we get there, he'll probably want to find out who the other 10 percent are and see what happens."

Goodman faced a field of unknown candidates in 2003. This year, former councilman and constant mayoral critic Steve Miller has mused about a run against Goodman, though even he gives himself little chance at victory.

MINIMUM WAGE

Las Vegas native Andre Agassi was the big draw to a reception in Washington on Thursday promoting minimum wage ballot initiatives in Nevada and Arizona.

The tennis star said his work with his Las Vegas charitable foundation put him in contact with low-income and single-parent families and increased his awareness of the need for people to earn a living wage, according to two people who attended.

An estimated 140 people turned out at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, including Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Reps. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., and Ed Pastor, D-Ariz., plus congressional staffers and organized labor and financial service lobbyists, who got to shake hands with Agassi.

The reception was not a fundraiser, but organizers said they planned to build on the event -- code for following up with attendees and hitting them up for checks.

"This is a step in our effort to raise awareness and say to the different communities that we are doing this minimum wage campaign, and we are looking for help, and it is the real thing," said Gail Tuzzolo, a Nevada political consultant to the state AFL-CIO.

Tuzzolo said the goal was to raise $100,000 for organizers in each state to build door-to-door campaigns in support of the ballot questions. Nevada voters are being asked to raise the state's entry level wage from $5.15 an hour to $6.15 an hour and to tie future increases to the inflation rate.

PORTER DISCLAIMER

Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., had to correct a television ad last week after his opponent made a stink about a missing disclaimer.

Under federal law, campaign ads must end with at least four seconds of footage that includes the candidate's picture and the words, "Paid for by (candidate) and approved by (candidate)."

Porter's ad, an attack on Democratic challenger Tessa Hafen's qualifications and residency, begins with a soft-focus shot of the incumbent, surrounded by soldiers, saying genially, "I'm Jon Porter, and I approved this message."

But in its first incarnation, it didn't end with his picture, and the disclaimer was incomplete.

Porter campaign chairman Mike Slanker said the campaign learned of the error from Washington Republican Party lawyers before Hafen brought it up and corrected it right away.

"There are differing legal opinions on (requirements for) disclaimers, and it's an ever-evolving area of law," Slanker said. "When we submitted it to the TV stations, they told us they thought it was fine."

The Porter shot remains at the beginning of the ad, but a small picture of Porter and a new disclaimer have been added at the end, Slanker said.

"It's in the past. We fixed it. There was no intent" to run afoul of the rules.

Hafen spokesman David Cherry said he found that hard to believe, considering that the effect of the erroneous ad was to make Porter's responsibility for its contents less clear.

"They tried to get away with something slick to hide the fact that they're running a sleazy attack ad," Cherry said.

A casual viewer could have missed the Porter shot at the beginning, seen the ad's contents and never connected it to the congressman, Cherry said.

"The point of these requirements is to associate the candidate with what's being said in the ad," he said. "It's a small issue, but one that speaks volumes about their willingness to abide by the rules."

ACCOUNTANT AWARD

Kim Wallin, the Democratic nominee for state controller, got a prestigious honor in her field last week: She was named Woman CPA of the Year by the American Society of Women Accountants.

But Wallin also had to contend with charges she wasn't such a good accountant when revelations surfaced of a settlement she had to pay for professional negligence related to an estate tax case she prepared.

Wallin said she paid the $180,000 settlement for an error in the $30 million estate of Rudolph Kelpe. She said it was a simple oversight -- she had to pay interest on a late return after forgetting to file for an extension -- and not an instance of misconduct.

Wallin also noted that the estate in question was very complex and contentious.

"The heirs were fighting before he was even cold," she said of Kelpe. "It was a nightmare."

Wallin said it was the only blemish on her 28-year career in accounting.

As for the award, Wallin said she had no idea it was coming when she signed on as the keynote speaker and wasn't even a member of the group.

"To voters, this should show that if a person's been recognized by their peers as doing a good job, they're going to do a good job for the state," she said.

Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault contributed to this report. Contact political reporter Molly Ball at 387-2919 or MBall@reviewjournal.com.

While Las Vegas appears to be nothing more than a desert, the area once housed a flee-flowing creek surrounded by many miles of grassy areas. This oasis in the desert served as a stopping point for many travelers and ed to the name of the city “Las Vegas” which translates to “The Meadows” in Spanish.*1

In 1855, 30 Mormon missionaries built a 150-foot square adobe fort. The fort constitutes the first non-Indian settlement in the region and is still located on the corner of Washington Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard.

Just two years later, the fort was abandoned and changed hands, until finally being sold to the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad in 1902.

The park includes a remnant of the original adobe fort and visitors center.

The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For further information, including entrance fees, please visit the Old Mormon Fort Web page.*2

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

*1. City of Las Vegas. 'A profile of Las Vegas on visitors,' "A search of 'Oscar Goodman, Las Vegas Mayor' on the Google.cn," (August 29, 2006), Mountain View, California: Google.cn.
*2. Ibid.

Aug. 02, 2006
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Las Vegas ready to make history
$7.5 million contract first step in creating museum in old post office
By DAVID McGRATH SCHWARTZ
REVIEW-JOURNAL

The downtown post office, which opened in 1933, still has rows of mailboxes.
Photos by K.M. Cannon.

The lobby of the historic downtown post office and federal courthouse is shown Tuesday. The City Council today will consider a contract worth up to $7.5 million to design a museum and cultural center at the building, which is being called the POST Modern.

City officials have talked plenty about historic preservation. Now it's time to pony up.

The City Council today will consider a contract worth up to $7.5 million for the interior design of a museum and cultural center at the historic downtown post office and federal courthouse.

If approved, as expected, it would be the largest amount the city has spent so far on refurbishing and rehabbing the Stewart Avenue building, which is being called the POST Modern.

The architecture firm of Westlake Reed Leskosky would do the architectural and other work under the contract, including designing the museum exhibits, exhibition space and high and low tech interactive exhibits.

"This is going to be the most significant compilation of multiple projects," said Paul Siemborski, an architect and associate principal with the firm.

"This is going to be a cultural, historical, adaptive reuse of the oldest civic building into this center of history, past and present," Siemborski said. "This has an opportunity to be a catalyst for revitalization."

So far, the city hasn't spent a tremendous amount of money on the building, which opened in 1933 as part of a massive government building effort aligned with construction of Boulder Dam, now known as Hoover Dam.

The building's original construction cost was just under $300,000.

The estimated price tag for restoring the building, including this contract, is $32 million, according to Deputy City Manager Betsy Fretwell.

"This is a preservation and restoration project on a nationally significant building," she said. "In that regard, it's completely new and unique to the city."

The city's Centennial Committee is also providing $1 million for exterior work on the building. That money comes from the sale and registration of commemorative license plates.

The museum will focus on the region's history and growth from the 1940s through the 1960s, Fretwell said.

"We've found this would not be duplicating what other institutions have done," she said. "It's the concept of vintage Vegas, casino development of Southern Nevada, the political influences of the time ... including the impact of organized crime."

A survey commissioned by the city found that tourists said they would be most likely to visit a museum dedicated to the region's mob influence. Locals preferred a "vintage Vegas" theme, and were more squeamish about highlighting the region's seedier past.

Siemborski, the architect, said the museum would be a draw for locals and tourists.

The firm will do everything from looking at structural issues of the building to designing exhibits. A later contract will cover construction, Siemborski said.

"It will be a combination of collecting information from local historians, the city, and our own knowledge and experience," he said. "A big part of it is getting local input."

The design work will take nine to 12 months, Fretwell said. The firm will also be administering the construction contract.

The firm competed against dozens of others before being selected by a committee of staff members, Fretwell said.

Adaptive reuse -- taking a historic structure built for one purpose and using the interior for another purpose -- is widely regarded as an effective tool to preserving historic structures.

The POST Modern building would be the largest historic preservation project in the city's history.

The museum will feature about 13,000 square-feet of exhibition space for cultural, civic and educational programming and receptions, special events and conferences.

Westlake Reed Leskosky specializes in design of cultural facilities and preservation of historic landmarks. The firm has designed several museums and federal building rehabilitations, including the Cleveland Museum of Art, Yuma Arts Center in Arizona, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, rehabilitation of the Howard M. Metzenbaum United States Courthouse in Cleveland, and restoration of the James A. Walsh Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Tucson, Ariz.

The firm consulted on several historic preservation projects in Nevada, including Piper's Opera House and the Miner's Union Hall, both in Virginia City.

Jul. 28, 2006
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Mayor vows head of Las Vegas Housing Authority will be gone in 30 days
By DAVID McGRATH SCHWARTZ
REVIEW-JOURNAL

The head of the troubled Las Vegas Housing Authority will be gone in 30 days, Mayor Oscar Goodman said Thursday, following the release of a federal audit critical of the agency and executive director.

The authority had voted last month to retain Executive Director Parviz Ghadiri on a month-to-month basis until a replacement was found.

"I'm obviously very disappointed," Goodman said of the audit by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's inspector general's office. But, he added, he would not second guess the board's decision to retain Ghadiri past his current contract.

Bobby G. Gronauer, the housing authority board chairman, said the board would discuss Ghadiri's contract at their August meeting.

But, Gronauer said, he was meeting with Ghadiri. "I'd rather that he find his own way to go someplace else," he said.

Goodman said he was looking for an interim replacement for Ghadiri until a full-time director was selected by the board.

The audit reported that the housing authority awarded nearly half a million dollars in contracts without open and fair competition and kept about $85,000 in interest it earned from improperly investing federal grants.

The audit named Ghadiri and other officials. Deputy Director Richard Martinez has already resigned.

Ghadiri did not return a call for comment on Thursday.

In May, the board voted to let Ghadiri's contract expire. Many of the conflicts appeared to be over his management style. The vote to retain him on a month-to-month basis was split, with Commissioner Haywood Carter and Councilman Steve Ross, who also sits on the board, voting against the extension.

A separate, 2004 review of the authority found dozens of instances in which the agency violated federal, state or local regulations. It also charged that the authority provided better security and maintenance at its majority-white senior housing developments than at developments that were majority black and Hispanic.

Ghadiri disputed the charge at the time.

Jul. 20, 2006
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Feeding homeless outlawed
ACLU calls measure unenforceable
By DAVID MCGRATH SCHWARTZ
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Gail Sacco, second from the right, hands out fruit and water at Huntridge Circle Park on Wednesday. The Las Vegas City Council passed an ordinance that would prohibit providing food to the homeless for free or a nominal fee in city parks.
Photos by K.M. Cannon.

Gail Sacco gets help from Duffy West unloading fruit from her car to be handed out at Huntridge Circle Park on Wednesday, the same day the Las Vegas City Council passed a ban on feeding the homeless or indigent people in public parks.

If someone looks like he could use a meal, be warned: Giving him a sandwich in a Las Vegas park could land you in jail.

The Las Vegas City Council passed an ordinance Wednesday that bans providing food or meals to the indigent for free or a nominal fee in parks.

The measure is an attempt to stop so-called "mobile soup kitchens" from operating in parks, where residents say they attract the homeless and render the city facilities unusable by families.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada called the ordinance blatantly unconstitutional, unenforceable and the latest attempt by the city to hide and harass the homeless instead of constructively addressing their plight.

"So the only people who get to eat are those who have enough money? Those who get (government) assistance can't eat at your picnic?" asked ACLU attorney Allen Lichtenstein. "I've heard of some rather strange and extreme measures from other cities. I've never heard of something like this. It's mind-boggling."

The city's new ordinance, which officials could begin enforcing as early as Friday, defines an indigent as a "person whom a reasonable ordinary person would believe to be entitled to apply for or receive assistance" from the government under state law.

Mayor Oscar Goodman, who has been a vocal advocate of cracking down on the homeless in city parks, dismissed questions about how marshals, who patrol city parks, will identify the homeless in order to enforce the ordinance, the violation of which would be a misdemeanor.

"Certain truths are self-evident," Goodman said. "You know who's homeless."

City officials said they instituted the law in part because of recommendations from some who work with the homeless who say offering food separately from other services, such as counseling and drug treatment, is counterproductive.

"This is not a punishment; this is to help people," Goodman said. "The people who provide sandwiches have good intentions, but they're enabling people not to get the help that is needed."

Residents near Huntridge Circle Park, on Maryland Parkway near Charleston Boulevard, say people who bringing food to the homeless draw them to the area.

But one advocate who feeds the homeless at the park said she will continue to do so.

"I'm going to do whatever I think is necessary to keep people alive," said Gail Sacco.

Sacco has been cited twice while feeding the homeless, for holding a gathering of 25 or more people without a permit.

That ordinance is currently the subject of litigation by the ACLU of Nevada, and Gary Peck, the group's executive director, said the ordinance adopted Wednesday probably will be included in the lawsuit.

City Attorney Brad Jerbic said the city tried to negotiate with the ACLU and Sacco, including attempting to find a place where Sacco could provide food to the homeless.

Peck said negotiations "ended badly because, from our perspective, they're not negotiating in good faith. They're trying to figure out ways of making homeless invisible or kicking them out of our community."

Sacco said the city's approach has been to spout rhetoric and push the problem out of view, instead of offer constructive solutions.

"If the city and county and nonprofits are getting out there doing outreach to the people, then (the homeless) won't be at Circle Park and I won't have anyone to feed down there," Sacco said. "If they're just putting people in jail, the city is making it look like they are doing a wonderful job on the homeless issue. It's just a farce."

Sacco said in addition to providing food, she works to get the homeless housing, treatment, identification and jobs.

For the past month, the city has been cracking down on the homeless at Circle Park, arresting those inside the park before it opens at 7 a.m. and citing others for trespassing if they're on private property.

Neighbors have applauded the city's efforts, which have also included threats to increase the number of mentally ill homeless that they force to be hospitalized.

But Peck said despite residents' concerns, any sweep or crackdown has to be done in a legal manner. "It doesn't matter if they're unsightly, if neighbors don't like them. It doesn't trump the Constitution," he said.

The council unanimously passed the ordinance. Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian was absent.

Councilman Steve Wolfson, who last week raised concerns that the measure would prohibit someone from giving a sandwich to a homeless person, said after talking with Jerbic he felt comfortable with how the ordinance would be enforced.

"The marshals will get specialized training on enforcement," Wolfson said. "If you bought a couple of burgers and wanted to give them out, you technically would be in violation, but you wouldn't be cited."

Jerbic said police make judgment calls based on the severity of the crime, and this would be no different.

Lichtenstein said the city's statements were a clear indication they intend to use selective enforcement, which is unconstitutional under the equal protection clause of the Constitution.

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

City Council expected to OK Indy-car street race downtown
By JEFF WOLF
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Katherine Legge drives in the Grand Prix of Long Beach, a Champ Car series race, in Long Beach, Calif., on April 9. A Champ Car series race could be held in downtown Las Vegas next year.
Photo by The Associated Press.

Officials for the Grand Prix of Las Vegas expect to get the green light today from the Las Vegas City Council that will allow the Champ Car World Series to open its 2007 season on April 6-8 with an Indy-car style street race downtown.

"It looks like we're almost there," Dale Jensen, one of the owners of the race, said Tuesday afternoon after he signed his portion of the contract with the city in Mayor Oscar Goodman's office.

"We're cautiously optimistic. Everything has gone very well," said Jim Freudenberg, president and chief executive of the Grand Prix of Las Vegas.

The contract Jensen signed is scheduled to be presented to the City Council at this morning's meeting. It will be discussed and possibly voted on. Part of the agreement requires the city to make a one-time contribution to the event of up to $500,000 for street improvements, which have already been planned.

The proposed 2.44-mile course includes Grand Central Parkway, part of Main Street and some streets around the Fremont Street Experience. Promoters expect the three-day crowd to total 150,000 and inject $71.5 million into the economy.

The race would be in Councilman Lawrence Weekly's and Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian's wards.

Weekly was unavailable for comment Tuesday afternoon. But city spokesman Jace Radke said of the $500,000 that Weekly has said that's for infrastructure improvements the city was going to have to do anyway, and it's just a matter of moving it up on the priority list. Weekly has some concerns about spectator safety. He plans to bring up those concerns at today's meeting, Radke said.

"Both sides have agreed on everything," Freudenberg said of his group's discussions with City Manager Doug Selby and his staff.

"We've worked diligently with Doug Selby and his entire group to jump through every hoop we needed to make this comfortable for everybody."

Jensen, a venture capitalist from Phoenix, owns about 25 percent of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team. He also owns part of the Phoenix Suns of the NBA and is trying to get approval for a street race in a downtown Phoenix area that he is trying to redevelop.

"We plan to make this one of the greatest parties on Earth," Jensen said of the Las Vegas event. "This festival will be a new infusion of excitement for downtown Las Vegas and Southern Nevada."

The Champ Car series raced at Las Vegas Motor Speedway the past two years, but there was little interest. In 1983 and 1984, the series held two races in the parking lot at Caesars Palace, which had hosted Formula One races the two previous years.

The 2007 Las Vegas race will be the season opener for the Champ Car series and will be held on Easter weekend, Freudenberg said.

"The reason we're doing it on Easter weekend is because that's when the 11 downtown casinos wanted us to do it," he said.

He said the weekend will also include a boxing card, concert and other entertainment.

The Champ Car series has been expanding its lineup of events to be centered on street races in cities such as Long Beach, Calif., Denver and San Jose, Calif. Only one of the 15 races in the series this year is on an oval track.

"We put on a party and a race breaks out," joked Steve Johnson, president and chief executive of Champ Car.

Freudenberg said there has been concern about allowing access to public sidewalks during the event.

"Our hope is we can use some areas (provided by a few property owners to) put in some grandstands that will be fenced off for spectators who buy a ticket and want a seat. But as far as getting into the site itself, our hope is we can pull it off to make it a free entrance."

Race promoters first presented plans to the City Council on May 3, and while members liked the idea of using a street race to further rekindle tourists' interests in the area, the city balked at what was believed to be a request for $3.3 million of tax money to support the race.

At the time, Goodman said, "The city is always asked to do everything. And we always do. I think it's time others help out."

One month later, the group's request was trimmed to $500,000 in funds the city had budgeted for street improvements on what would be the racing course. The event owners committed to spending about $1 million to bring the streets up to racing standards.

Goodman insisted the group continue looking for other funding sources. The City Council voted 7-0 to extend for 90 days its agreement to only negotiate with that group for a street race in the city.

Review-Journal reporter David McGrath Schwartz contributed to this report.

Jul. 14, 2006
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Mayor defends club's owners
Crazy Horse Too faces loss of license
By DAVID McGRATH SCHWARTZ
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said Thursday the crimes employees and owners of the Crazy Horse Too Gentleman's Club pleaded guilty to didn't merit the maximum fines the city could impose.

"My personal belief is I would not see that in the same light as evaluated in the Cheetah's situation," Goodman said, referring to Cheetah's former club owner Michael Galardi's pleas of guilty and his testimony about bribing officials in Las Vegas and San Diego.

The city imposed the maximum fine of $1 million in the Cheetah's case.

The City Council on Wednesday scheduled a disciplinary hearing on Crazy Horse Too's tavern license for Sept. 6. The council could decide to revoke or suspend the club's license to serve alcohol and could fine the club up to $2.192 million.

Goodman was asked at his news conference Thursday about the admission by the company that owns Crazy Horse Too that the club "sought to extort payment from patrons through explicit or implicit threats of violence, or through actual use of force."

"That is a lot different than bribing a politician. That's the integrity of the system. This is just a business practice that's entirely unacceptable," Goodman said.

Goodman disclosed at Wednesday's council meeting that he had been club owner Rick Rizzolo's defense attorney 21 years ago and said Rizzolo was his friend.

David Chesnoff represents Vincent Faraci, a shift manager for Crazy Horse Too, and Chesnoff is a partner in the law firm Goodman founded that still bears his name. Goodman's two sons are partners at the law firm; but the mayor said he has no financial interest in the partnership, despite his name still being on the letterhead.

Goodman said the firm maintains an insurance policy for him, but he didn't know what kind of insurance policy it is.

Under the plea agreement with the federal government, owners of the Crazy Horse Too have agreed to pay fines totaling $17 million.

The largest chunk of that is $10 million that will be paid to Kirk Henry and his wife. Henry was paralyzed after he disputed an $80 bill for dances he allegedly received. Shift manager Robert D'Apice "grabbed him from behind, twisted his neck, and forced him violently to the ground," according to a civil complaint filed by Henry.

In the plea agreement, D'Apice admitted that "during the course of the conspiracy and acting within the scope of his employment at the Crazy Horse Too, on at least two or more occasions sought to extort payment from patrons through explicit or implicit threats of violence, and through actual use of force and physical violence against patrons in which various degrees of bodily injury were caused."

The City Council fined Cheetah's topless club $1,017,000 in 2004 after Michael Galardi pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges in San Diego.

Galardi later pleaded guilty to bribing officials in Las Vegas.

On June 1, Rizzolo and 16 workers pleaded guilty to charges for actions between 2000 and 2005. Several charges were related to tax fraud.

The Power Co., which holds the tavern license, pleaded guilty to one count of "conspiracy to participate in an enterprise engaged in racketeering activity" between 2000 and 2005.

City regulations allow fines up to $1,000 per day for a licensee business that "has been or is being conducted in an unlawful, illegal or impermissible manner."

Jul. 13, 2006
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Council approves downtown jewelry center

Some jewelers say Las Vegas market already jammed

By DAVID McGRATH SCHWARTZ and CHRIS JONES
REVIEW-JOURNAL

The City Council on Wednesday entered an agreement with a developer that wants to make Las Vegas a hub for international jewelry companies, but local retailers say the project faces high hurdles.

Council members voted unanimously to enter into an exclusive negotiating agreement with a Probity International Corp. affiliate. The deal would last for up to 18 months.

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They also defended the below-market land price that was negotiated.

"We pushed the envelope on the project to get the maximum (price) that we can," said Scott Adams, director of the city's Office of Business Development.

Robert Zernigan, founder and chief executive officer of Probity International, said he wanted to bring corporate offices of jewelry and gem companies into a 40-story or higher tower to Union Park. The tower would include a large retail space open to the public, as well as secured space where wholesalers could buy directly from manufacturers.

Zernigan said the World Jewelry Center's retail component would include up to 50 shops, most offering jewelry products. Exhibits would also be scattered throughout the site to educate shoppers on the history of jewelry, how gems are mined and how jewelry-related fashions have evolved over the ages.

Zernigan said the key to his center's success involves offering the right mix of products to attract some of Las Vegas' nearly 40 million annual visitors. To that end, he hopes to lure several international jewelers who have yet to open retail stores in the United States.

"Product differentiation is number one," said Zernigan. He said the center's cost has not been determined but would climb into the "hundreds of millions" dollar range.

A pair of longtime local jewelers said Wednesday such a market will face several big obstacles on the wholesale and retail fronts.

Many of the industry's manufacturers have left the United States to take advantage of inexpensive foreign labor. That offshore migration has hurt business at the established Los Angeles Jewelry District, said Joey Weinstein, whose family owns four local jewelry stores, including three under the Tower of Jewels brand.

In addition, Weinstein said retailers and manufacturers already conduct wholesale business at several big trade shows around the nation. Those include Las Vegas' popular JCK Show, which attracted nearly 3,000 exhibiting companies to the Sands Expo and Convention Center in early June.

"I don't think it's feasible," Weinstein said of a downtown jewelry mart.

Mordechai Yerushalmi, whose family-owned The Jewelers of Las Vegas operates 18 stores, said there aren't enough customers to support a jewelry mart's retail operations.

"If you go into any of the malls there are so many stores," Yerushalmi said. "Per capita, we have more jewelry stores than probably any other city in the country."

Weinstein agreed.

"There are plenty of strong jewelers" in Southern Nevada, he said. "Between The Jewelers and us, (M.J.) Christensen and one or two other companies, it's a tough market out there. Everybody's competing for the dollar."

But Aaron Lelah, whose family owns a single jewelry store near Flamingo Road and the Las Vegas Beltway, said he'd consider opening a second location in World Jewelry Center, regardless of nearby competitors.

"Marts draw people who want to buy jewelry," said Lelah, who is president of Aaron Lelah Jewelry. "When my family owned a store in the Meadows mall, we did well by being better than the next guy. "Competition is healthy. If you're better, you stand out in a crowd."

Yerushalmi, who's done business here since 1976, also doubts that a wholesale mart could thrive here, citing a failed past attempt to create such a market near the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The Union Park site does not interest his company, he added, because The Jewelers already operates a large store at nearby 2400 Western Ave.

The jewelry center's business model is somewhat similar to that of World Market Center, a $2 billion furniture complex that is completing the second of eight planned buildings on its 57-acre downtown site.

World Market Center hosts biannual furniture showcases that draw manufacturers and dealers from around the world; unlike the proposed jewelry center, World Market Center's events aren't open to the public.

Spokeswoman Dana Pretner said Wednesday that World Market Center leaders know little about the jewelry center, though management there will monitor its new neighbor as the project evolves.

Three appraisals done in 2005 put Union Park's average land price at $48 per square foot. The city would sell the land at $40 per square foot, while picking up as much as $12 per square foot for environmental cleanup of the land.

Adams said city could recover much of that cleanup cost from Union Pacific Railroad, which owned the land and operated a rail yard on the 61 acres.

He said the development, with 500,000 square feet of office space and 100,000 square feet of retail space, would be a $500 million development.

He estimated it would bring 2,000 jobs to Las Vegas.

Mayor Oscar Goodman said Wednesday's approval of Probity International's agreement fits with leaders' vision of "a city within a city" at Union Park.

"We've been criticized that we're not developing quickly enough, but we want to do it right," said Goodman, who pointed to the jobs and diversifying the region's economy in defending the sale price of the land. "Sometimes money isn't the only object as far as the city is concerned," he said.

Jul. 02, 2006
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

GEOFF SCHUMACHER: Downtown Las Vegas and the Strip: a tale of two city centers

MGM Mirage executive Tony Dennis says the $7 billion CityCenter project on the Strip will be the "new epicenter of the city of Las Vegas."

That might be possible if the 66-acre CityCenter property actually was in the city. It's not. Sitting between the Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts on the west side of the Strip, the site is in unincorporated Clark County -- a good two miles outside the city limits.

That grinding sound you hear is Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman's teeth.

Goodman wants the valley's old traditional downtown, which is squarely in the city, to be the "new epicenter." Goodman is the indefatigable champion of reviving the venerable Clark's Townsite.

And things are going fairly well for the mayor. The World Market Center, close to finishing its second gargantuan building and gearing up for a third, is quickly establishing itself as the furniture industry's Western hub. Next door, the Las Vegas Premium Outlets have announced plans to expand. A big performing arts center is on the way, as is a medical research center designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry.

There's more good news for downtown. Mid-rise condos are sprouting up. The Golden Nugget is undergoing a $100 million renovation, and the Lady Luck is being revamped. Third Street restaurants and clubs are drawing crowds. The charmingly scruffy arts district is emerging as an identifiable piece of urban geography. Heck, somebody even threw a new coat of paint (purple!) on the apartments next to the wreckage of the historic Moulin Rouge casino.

Good, interesting stuff is materializing in Goodman's downtown, but it isn't happening overnight, and it can't compete with the jaw-dropping plans for the Strip.

And never will.

By my count, serious resort developers have committed to invest $35 billion in the Strip corridor over the next 10 years. No fewer than a dozen projects have a price tag exceeding $1 billion.

MGM Mirage's CityCenter currently is the big dog at $7 billion. But Boyd Gaming is no slouch with its $4 billion Echelon Place project (which will replace the Stardust). And we haven't heard yet from Harrah's, which is making noises that its answer to CityCenter will be even more gargantuan. Don't be surprised if Harrah's vision for the east side of the Strip tops $10 billion.

Goodman's good works look like rolled pennies compared with these numbers.

Which brings me to my point, finally. When Tony Dennis says CityCenter will be the "new epicenter," it's basically a promotional slogan. The truth is, the Strip has been the epicenter of Las Vegas since the mid-1940s.

Goodman's downtown has and probably always will have the market cornered as the valley's government and legal hub. Downtown is where the city, county, state and federal governments have the bulk of their offices, and it's where the courts are located. And since the courts are downtown, the majority of lawyers also have their offices there.

Downtown also is where the young hipsters -- the relative few that Las Vegas has, anyway -- are starting to congregate. Young singles and couples with a built-in distaste for suburbia are buying older homes in the downtown area. Artists and art entrepreneurs are establishing studios and opening galleries. And arty types from across the valley religiously show up downtown every month for First Friday, the arts and culture fair.

But it's important to put all this cheerleading in perspective. Downtown is in revival, no question about it, but it's not an epicenter. For an overwhelming majority of the valley's 1.8 million people, the only reason to go downtown is to fight a traffic ticket.

On the other hand, most Las Vegans find themselves drawn to the Strip on a regular basis -- to work, gamble, eat, drink, shop, dance, see a show.

Sure, we all know locals who boast that they haven't been to the Strip for months and they're happy about that. But most of them aren't going downtown either.

MGM Mirage's CityCenter is impressive. Crews started pouring the foundation last week, and reporters were invited to ogle the latest model. World-class architects are designing the gleaming hotels, towering condos and massive retail district, and what they've come up with is an aesthetic leap forward for Las Vegas.

When it's completed in 2009, CityCenter will employ 12,000 people, and it will be a destination for tourists and locals alike. But as I understand it, CityCenter's 500,000-square-foot mall won't be just another promenade of pricey boutiques and chic restaurants. A key element will be cultural programming: public art, entertainment, events.

It'll be First Friday every day at CityCenter.

My layman's eye, however, did spot one advantage downtown Las Vegas could have. Situated midway between Flamingo Road and Tropicana Avenue, CityCenter looks like a recipe for traffic gridlock. MGM Mirage and Clark County officials are working to address that issue, but no matter how you look at it, getting in and out of there will require a level of patience that many locals just don't have.

For better or worse, downtown gridlock isn't likely to be a problem for the foreseeable future.

Geoff Schumacher (gschumacher@reviewjournal.com) is the Stephens Media Group's director of community publications. His column appears Sunday.

The developer of the newly opened Internal Revenue Service headquarters, located on the corner of Grand Central Parkway and Parkway Center, will receive nearly $1 million in tax increment financing (TIF) over the course of 20 years. The developer spent in excess of $13.5 million on qualified expenditures such as Brownfields abatement, utility relocation, land clearing and site preparation.*1

TIF rebate incentives are available for high-rise residential, retail, hotel and mixed-use projects located within the Las Vegas Redevelopment Area. The Redevelopment Area consists of approximately 3,200 acres that generally includes downtown Las Vegas, as well as portions of West Las Vegas and the Eastern Avenue Corridor. The agency is currently striving to expand the Redevelopment Area to include an additional 750 acres of commercial property in adjacent areas.

Tax increment is defined as the increased property taxes generated due to new development on a site. The TIF program uses tax money from the difference in the originally assessed property value and the new, enhanced property value to pay for eligible qualified expenditures. Up to 41 percent of the tax increment can be rebated annually to a property developer for eligible qualified expenditures to a construction project. Another 18 percent goes toward building affordable housing, with the balance – some 41 percent – staying with the Redevelopment Agency to support other new redevelopment projects and sustain the self-supported agency.

The Office of Business Development works with the city’s Redevelopment Agency on the TIF program.
Eligible expenditures may include constructing streets, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, landscaping, water lines, storm drainage facilities, traffic signals, paving, flood control improvements, utilities, other infrastructure costs and more.

While the term for TIF rebate assistance is negotiable, the rebate cannot extend past the life of the agency or more than 20 years. The agency’s maturity date, required by Nevada state law, is in the year 2031.

In addition to the IRS building, World Market Center, Las Vegas Premium Outlets and the Allure Condominium project have all made use of the city of Las Vegas’ TIF program since it was implemented in 2001.

Developers or businesses interested in participating in n the TIF program can contact Steve van Gorp, redevelopment manager, at (702) 229-6863.*2

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

*1. City of Las Vegas. 'A profile of Las Vegas on business,' "A search of 'Mayor Oscar Goodman' on the Google.cn," (June 12, 2006), Mountain View, California: Google.cn.
*2. Ibid.

Southern Nevada is home to a large number of golf courses. The city of Las Vegas owns several golf courses throughout the community, offering a variety of amenities and levels of play. From driving ranges to practice facilities, the courses offer something for everyone.

Durango Hills Golf Club
This 18-hole golf course, opened in 2002, is spread over 70 acres. It is located at 3501 N. Durango Drive, between Cheyenne Avenue and Gowan Road. For more information, call (702) 229-4653.

Angel Park Golf Course
Angel Park offers two championship courses and a lighted driving range, par three course and natural grass putting course. The course is located in the northwest Las Vegas at 100 S. Rampart Boulevard. For more information, call (702) 254-4653.

Las Vegas Municipal Golf Course
Las Vegas’ first golf course, built in 1949, offer an 18-hole course in addition to a large lighted driving range. The course is centrally located at 4300 W. Washington Avenue. For more information, call (702) 646-3003.

Desert Pines Golf Course
Modeled after the famous Pinehurst course in North Carolina, Desert Pines offers an 18-hole course as well as a 20,000-square-foot practice facility. The course is centrally located at 3415 East Bonanza Road. For more information, call (702) 450-8000 or 1 (888) 397-2499.*2

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

*1. City of Las Vegas. 'A profile of Las Vegas on visitors,' "A search of 'Mayor Oscar Goodman' on the Google.cn," (May 5, 2006), Mountain View, California: Google.cn.
*2. Ibid.

Apr. 22, 2006
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Goodman tipped his political hand

Rejecting a run at the U.S. Senate, Oscar Goodman this week said he would run for a third and final term as mayor to focus on attracting a professional sports team and redeveloping an aging downtown.
Photo by Clint Karlsen.

Days before officially ending speculation that he might run for the U.S. Senate, Mayor Oscar Goodman spilled the beans during an interview with a Denver newspaper.

In a question and answer interview that appeared in the Denver Post's Sunday edition, Goodman asked a reporter about John Hickenlooper, the Denver mayor who attended the same Philadelphia high school as Goodman.

Advertisement

Told that Hickenlooper, who was elected mayor in 2003, had decided not to run for governor, Goodman said, "I'm making the same decision."

Asked why, Goodman said, "It's the happiness barometer. I think Mayor Hickenlooper and I are happier being mayors. It's probably better being the mayor of Denver or the mayor of Las Vegas because nobody knows who the governors are."

Goodman told Las Vegas reporters on Wednesday that he wasn't going to enter the race for the U.S. Senate.

Goodman was weighing the possibility of challenging Republican Sen. John Ensign this election year.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Las Vegas' Jerry Lewis is back from New York City, where he shot a full episode of "Law & Order." He portrays a homeless person in the episode, which is scheduled to air in the fall. ...

A local ownership group made up of Rand Capp, Jerome Snyder and David Carver is producing the Triple Crown of Polo series on ESPN2 at 10 a.m. today from Sarasota, Fla. For more information: www. triplecrownofpolo.com. ...

Lon Bronson and his All-Star Band are returning to the Strip on Sunday with a 10:30 p.m. preview show at Margaritaville at the Flamingo Las Vegas. A Las Vegas institution, they return in June, with a regular Sunday night gig. ...

Because of a scheduling conflict, Excalibur headliner Louie Anderson has replaced George Wallace as emcee of Las Vegas Perspective on Tuesday at The Orleans, from 3-5 p.m. Wallace appears on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on Tuesday night. ...

Regarding that Bono lookalike at Ellis Island's karaoke bar last weekend, judging from the e-mail response, most are convinced it was a member of a U2 tribute band. ...

Cast members from NBC's "Scrubs" series celebrate their season wrap party next Thursday at the Palms, with a red carpet from 6-7 p.m.

SIGHTINGS

The cast of Bravo's "Top Chef," having lunch at Wolfgang Puck's Bar and Grill (MGM Grand) on Friday. ... Tom Selleck, firing up a Cohiba at the Havana Cigar Co. on Friday. ... Composer David Foster, getting his hair cut at Salon Rojo on Friday, for his Tuesday appearance on "American Idol" with Andrea Bocelli.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Record temperatures in Texas. Over 100 degrees. In fact, it was so hot, 3,000 people are without power today. 3,001 if you count Tom DeLay." -- Leno

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.

Google.cn and Google.com published this section (Chinese Association of Las Vegas) 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", "ęā¸¬—–", "‹LˇŅä——½‰Ć", 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.

Google.cn and Google.com published this section (Oscar Goodman, Mayor of Las Vegas) 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", "ęā¸¬—–", "‹LˇŅä——½‰Ć", 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.

Mar. 24, 2006
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NEVADA ADS GET NO LOVE IN L.A.
TV station kills spots critical of California
By DAVID McGRATH SCHWARTZ
REVIEW-JOURNAL

[[[Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman shows his enthusiasm for the Nevada business climate in a commercial that one L.A. television station deemed anti-California and refused to air.
BETTER HAND: One of the controversial ads features a poker game in which California's business climate is competing against Nevada's in a game of five-card draw.
PEANUT: The case of a man crushed by a giant peanut is investigated in a commercial marketing Nevada's lower business nut, or operational costs, to Californians.
CLUE: Rising workers' compensation costs are among the clues left at the crime scene in the peanut ad.]]]

This is one Oscar performance that won't play in L.A.

An ABC television affiliate in the City of Angels crushed nutty commercials starring Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman. The ads tout Nevada's business-friendly atmosphere and rip California for high taxes, workers' compensation costs and electricity rates.

"KABC wouldn't run it because it was too anti-California, and they found it offensive," said Diane Pappas, media director for Shonkwiler Partners, the advertising agency that came up with the campaign for the Nevada Development Authority and placed

the spots with various California media outlets.

KABC representatives did not return phone calls for comment Thursday.

More than 22 newspapers and "every network from here to California," including other television stations in Los Angeles, did run the spots, which in addition to the mayor feature a large peanut representing California's supposedly higher costs.

The theme of Nevada Development Authority's campaign is: "Quit working for peanuts. Reduce your business nut -- come to Las Vegas." A nut is slang for the cost of launching or operating a business.

The first commercial depicts Goodman as a crime scene investigator handling the case of a man crushed by a giant peanut.

"The clues are all too clear," says Goodman's female CSI partner. "It looks like the big California tax nut killed another business."

Goodman peers through goggles at the man on the floor and in a less-than-Oscar-worthy performance replies: "Too bad he didn't call the Nevada Development Authority in Las Vegas. This would've never happened."

The second advertisement features a poker game in which California's business climate is competing against Nevada's.

In the game of five-card draw, Nevada gets three aces and the rare "no state personal income/corporate tax" card.

California's hand includes the "anti-business legislation" card.

"When it comes to business, Las Vegas is holding all the cards," an announcer says. "What do you say California?"

"That's it. I fold," the California poker player says.

Announcer: "Las Vegas keeps on winning. Right mayor?"

"Yes," says Goodman, with over-the-top enthusiasm, even for a man known for over-the-top enthusiasm. "I'm all in!"

The spots were set to run on KABC during the local newscast's commercial breaks, between Monday and Thursday, Pappas said.

During a news conference Thursday, a tickled-looking Goodman said the Nevada Development Authority board, on which he sits, was "talking to lawyers" about KABC's rejection of the ads.

Rufus Jeffris, a spokesman for the California Commission for Jobs and Economic Growth, said he had not seen the ads.

After listening to a description of the commercials and their nut theme, he deadpanned: "It sounds very highbrow."

He then added his own riff on the theme: "Any business in California would be nuts to leave. All things businesses need to thrive are here."

That is why the state has seen the creation of 500,000 jobs in the past year, he said.

The Nevada Development Authority took its message to Sacramento, San Francisco and San Diego last week, where about 20 people walked alongside an ad-wrapped double-decker bus handing out bags of peanuts and stress squeeze-balls adorned with the authority's logo.

On March 17, Goodman accompanied the entourage to Los Angeles.

The fun has come courtesy of an infusion of $5.5 million in marketing money from the state government over the next two fiscal years. The authority will spend about $1 million of it over the next seven months.

Goodman on Thursday compared the flap over the rejected ads to what happened when the NFL refused to air commercials for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority during the Super Bowl.

"It got worldwide attention," Goodman said.

Pappas also was not too concerned about the station's refusal to air the ads.

"It didn't bother me that much. We put the money elsewhere, and we'll get some free media out of it because they wouldn't run it," she said.

Mar. 17, 2006
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Goodman: Donors await word on bid
Mayor criticized by some Democrats for not disclosing intentions in Senate race
By DAVID McGRATH SCHWARTZ
REVIEW-JOURNAL
[[[Oscar Goodman
Mayor repeats his mantra that he's the world's 'happiest mayor'

Jack Carter
Democratic candidate says he doesn't care that mayor hasn't said if he will run]]]

Mayor Oscar Goodman acknowledged Thursday that political donors have told him they are holding back contributing to U.S. Senate campaigns as he considers his own run for the office.

He also said he would disclose his decision to Democratic candidates in the race if they felt that Goodman's months-long decision-making process was hurting their campaigns.

"If the other Democrats ask me to make a statement one way or the other, if it's of vital interest to them, I'd make it," Goodman said at his weekly news conference. "If they come to me and say, 'Fish or cut bait,' I'd fish or cut bait."

Jack Carter, the lone Democrat to announce a run against incumbent Republican Sen. John Ensign, declined the invitation.

"I'm not particularly interested," Carter said of Goodman's undisclosed decision. "Me knowing ahead of time isn't going to change what I'm going to do."

Goodman again would not say whether he plans to run, repeating "I love being mayor" six times and proclaiming himself "happiest mayor in the world" once during a 15-minute question-and-answer session with reporters.

In late January, Goodman met with Sens. Barack Obama, Edward Kennedy, and Charles Schumer, all Democratic leaders, about a possible run. He said Thursday he has continued to be contacted by Senate party leaders about running.

Donors have told Goodman "they don't want to make contributions until they know what I want to do," he said.

However, some Democrats think Goodman's hesitancy might be hurting Carter's ability to raise money for his campaign.

While Carter currently faces no opposition in the Democratic primary, the son of former President Carter is expected to face a well-funded Ensign in the general election.

Hugh Jackson, a blogger and editor of the liberal Web site lasvegasgleaner.com, said, "He (Goodman) has an obligation to Carter, to the state, to the country ... to make up his mind."

Jackson called Goodman's indecision "narcissistic dithering."

Carter, who said Goodman is a friend, would not disclose how much money he has raised, pointing to March 31 when his campaign will be required to disclose donations.

"I'm satisfied with it now. In a couple weeks, I'll be more satisfied," he said.

He doesn't think Goodman's decision has hurt his campaign.

"It might delay (contributions). But if he doesn't run, they'll come to me," he said. "Oscar does his own thing. I don't mind if he runs or not."

He added that the spectre of Goodman, who enjoys wide popularity in Las Vegas, may be scaring off some potential Democratic opponents.

Goodman, for his part, said that he still loves being the mayor. "Everywhere I go, I'm treated like a king."

Mar. 14, 2006
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Judge overturns Ethics Commission ruling against Goodman
By DAVID McGRATH SCHWARTZ
REVIEW-JOURNAL

[[[Photo of Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman]]]

The self-proclaimed World's Happiest Mayor just got a little happier.

A district judge on Friday overturned an ethics ruling against Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman which had said he unwittingly used his position to unfairly benefit his son Ross.

Goodman said the ruling, by District Judge Mark Denton, cleared a "black mark" on his name, erasing the one charge that had stuck to him in his seven years in office.

In 2004, the state Ethics Commission found that Goodman violated the law when he hosted a cocktail party that was sponsored and paid for by his son's company, iPolitix, during the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

But Denton found that Goodman "did not actively use his position in government to grant or secure anything" for his son.

Although the Ethics Commission had found Goodman used his office to unfairly secure an advantage for his son's business, a majority found that it was not done on purpose.

After the commission's ruling, "I was ready to call it a day," Goodman said. "But my wife ... thought it was a black mark on my reputation, and I should do everything to get it erased."

He said that clearing the ethical violation from his record could play a role in whether he runs for the U.S. Senate, as he has been urged to do by some influential Democrats in Congress.

"In my consideration of my political future, this weighed heavily," he said.

Stacy Woodbury, executive director of the Nevada Commission on Ethics, said she had not seen the decision and declined to comment on the ruling's specifics.

But she did say: "Based on what happened in oral arguments ... it appeared that the court would go ahead and issue a ruling overturning the commission in some manner or the other."

The commission could appeal the ruling to the state Supreme Court, Woodbury said. "It wouldn't surprise me to see them do that."

The law prohibits an official from using his position to exploit public resources for private gain or to influence constituents, according to the decision. Denton said that prior Ethics Commission findings involved public officials who used their position in relation to people over whom they had authority, which wouldn't apply to Goodman and those attending the Washington, D.C, conference.

Goodman's lawyer, Puoy Premsrirut, said that the ruling clarifies how "government power" is defined in the ethics law. There either has to be a potential for jurisdictional abuse or a use of government resources, she said.

"If the commission looks at the long history of its own opinions, they are consistent with Judge Denton's decision in this case," Premsrirut said.

During the January, 2004 Conference of Mayors, Ross Goodman called an organizer about doing a presentation on iPolitix, which provides digital media information, such as video press kits, to political candidates. The coordinator suggested the company sponsor an event at the conference.

Ross Goodman then asked his father if the company could sponsor the cocktail party that the mayor was going to host.

Oscar Goodman handed out "four or five" invitations -- which included Goodman's name and title -- and told people his son was involved in the company.

Denton's ruling pointed to the fact that Goodman was going to host a cocktail party at the conference anyway. And Ross Goodman "went through proper channels to obtain permission from conference management to do so, following up on a suggestion that such management had made in the first place."

Ross Goodman, a lawyer in Las Vegas, has also been involved in a legal dispute with an elderly woman over a downtown parcel of land. He couldn't be reached for comment Monday afternoon.

The Office of Business Development is currently accepting applications for a program that provides grant money to aid business owners and operators with improving the exteriors of their commercial properties.*1

The Commercial Visual Improvement Program — or VIP for short — was created by the Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency last year to assist commercial, industrial and mixed-used properties in the city’s designated redevelopment area, as well as three targeted commercial corridors. The redevelopment area is defined in general terms as the downtown portion of Las Vegas. The targeted commercial corridors are Martin Luther King Boulevard, Eastern Avenue and Main Street.

Under the program, participants can receive a rebate of up to $50,000 for pre-approved improvement costs. The program allows for improvements to the following: store fronts, windows, awnings, painting, signage, landscaping, doorways, lighting, parking lots and rear accesses.

Most participants will be required to contribute a two-to-one match to the agency’s funds, except for those properties located in one of the above-referenced commercial corridors; these businesses contribute a one-to-one funding match.

Since its inception in September 2004, a variety of area businesses have taken advantage of the VIP program, including a professional office building, a local nightclub/restaurant and an attorney’s office.

Andy Katz and James Barbarite made use of matching city funds to renovate the first church building in Las Vegas, which was sold when the Methodist Congregation put the structure up for sale upon merging with another congregation. The structure required more than two years of major renovation and asbestos removal before opening the week of Thanksgiving as the Manpower Professional Building and Downtown Coffee Company located at 231 S. Third Street.

The city’s VIP money was used for a new roof, iron fencing and stone work, painting and parking lot repaving.

The city’s VIP program made a tiled front facade, new windows, ADA-compliant doorways and other facelifts possible for the attorney’s office owned by PEL Enterprises, LLC. at 1020 Garces Avenue.

Neon signage, new awnings and fencing, tinted glass and parking lot repairs were among the improvements made by Gary Sax. Sax, owner and operator of Take 1 Nightclub and Bayou Cajun Restaurant situated at 707 East Fremont Street, was able to make these improvements courtesy of the city’s Visual Improvement Program.

To determine if your business or property is eligible and for further information, business owners can contact Rich Atkins at the Office of Business Development at (702) 229-6100.*2

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

*1. City of Las Vegas. 'A profile of Las Vegas on business,' "A search of 'Mayor Oscar Goodman' on the Google.com," (March 7, 2006), Mountain View, California: Google.com.
*2. Ibid.

New Entertainment And Dining Options Underway Downtown

Hennessey's Tavern and Mickie Finnz Fish House and Bar are two of the newest downtown hangouts scheduled to open in 2006.*1

With a string of Hennessey’s restaurants dotting the Southern California coastline from South Bay to San Diego along with a High Sierra mountain location in Mammoth Lakes, the two establishments at the Fremont Street Experience will be the first Hennessey’s locations in Nevada.

The combination of the traditional Hennessey’s Tavern with the beach-themed Mickie Finnz Fish House and Bar will bring a new and fun experience for Las Vegas visitors and locals alike.

The city of Las Vegas Office of Business Development helped to facilitate introductions between the pub owners and the Fremont Street Experience, leading to the signing of the lease in 2005. The two new restaurants will be vital in driving pedestrian traffic between the Fremont Street Experience and the city of Las Vegas’ newly formed entertainment district.*2

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

*1. City of Las Vegas. 'A profile of Las Vegas on visitors,' "A search of 'Mayor Oscar Goodman' on the Google.com," (February 23, 2006), Mountain View, California: Google.com.
*2. Ibid.

Feb. 03, 2006
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Goodman meetings stoke talk of run for U.S. Senate
By DAVID McGRATH SCHWARTZ
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman continued to tickle political speculators Thursday, revealing that he met with three high-profile Democratic U.S. senators about a possible run for the Senate.

He said he had meetings last week with Sens. Barak Obama, Edward Kennedy, and Charles Schumer, all influential members of the Democratic leadership, when he was in Washington, D.C., for the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

When pressed at his weekly press conference on what answer he gave them about a Senate run, Goodman said, "I told them I'd get back to them."

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said he met with Goodman to talk about a challenge to Nevada's Republican senator, John Ensign. Goodman, a Democrat, made it clear that he had not sought a meeting with Reid or anyone else about a senate run.

"Absolutely, unequivocally, I have not sought Harry Reid out," Goodman said. "These senators sought me out. They're talking to me."

He later said about his experience: "It's heady stuff. It's hard to be humble when you're me, but I found it a very pleasing experience to be talked to and asked about the United States Senate."

Jack Carter, son of former President Jimmy Carter, is scheduled to kick off his campaign for Senate on Monday.

Goodman said that he has spoken to Carter, a Democrat. "I consider him a friend. I wish him, and all candidates for office, well."

Goodman said he also met with Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Arlen Specter, with whom he has been friends for years.

Jan. 30, 2006
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Goodman sidesteps Senate race talk
Mayor says he won't bring up issue with Ensign during Washington trip
By TONY BATT and STEVE TETREAULT
STEPHENS WASHINGTON BUREAU

[[[Mayor Oscar Goodman, shown in 2004 in California, continued to finesse questions about a possible Senate run while in Washington last week at the annual U.S. Conference of Mayors.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sens. John Ensign, R-Nev., and Harry Reid, D-Nev., shown in March, are expected to meet this week with Mayor Oscar Goodman during his visit to Washington. Goodman says he won't bring up the Senate race with Ensign and he doubts the senator will bring it up either.
Photo by Jeff Scheid.]]]

WASHINGTON -- Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman was flanked by two Las Vegas showgirls and trailed by an Elvis Presley impersonator in a white sequined suit when he showed up for lunch Thursday at a meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

After being escorted to the dais, Goodman sat patiently as one of the showgirls daintily unfolded his napkin.

In an interview, Goodman finessed questions about whether he might challenge Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., in this year's U.S. Senate race in Nevada.

"It's a lot of speculation," Goodman said. "You haven't heard anything out of my mouth about it."

As is his custom during his annual trip to the mayors' conference, Goodman said he planned to pay a courtesy call Thursday to Ensign and other members of the Nevada congressional delegation.

"I'm not going to bring it up," Goodman said about the Senate race. "I don't see (Ensign) bringing it up."

On Wednesday, Ensign said any talk about the Senate race would have to come from Goodman.

"If he wants to run, you know Oscar is Oscar," Ensign said. "And I've always liked Oscar, but you know that's his decision whether he wants to run."

Goodman also sidestepped a question about whether he would meet with Senate recruiters or other party fundraising groups before returning to Las Vegas on Friday.

"I'll be meeting with several senators -- just to say, 'Hi' to them," Goodman said. "Once again, I'm speculating, but when I go in to say, 'Hi' ... there may be more than a 'Hi' in return."

One of the senators Goodman intended to visit was Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who is chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Asked whether he requested the meeting with Schumer or if the senator asked him, Goodman said, "Why do you have to ask me these questions?"

One of the reasons Goodman brought showgirls and an Elvis impersonator with him this year was to drum up interest in the mayors' conference June 2-7 in Las Vegas.

The showgirls and impersonator accompanied Goodman as he handed out awards at a breakfast Thursday to honor cities that have established fruitful partnerships with businesses. Goodman is chairman of the Mayors and Business Community Task Force.

"I left after your opening remarks, which weren't funny, by the way," a woman told Goodman.

"They were very senatorial," the mayor quipped.

white house invite

Ensign was invited with a small group of senators to the White House on Wednesday for an Iraq briefing conducted at the highest levels.

President Bush held court in the hourlong meeting in the Roosevelt Room along with Vice President Dick Cheney, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, White House chief of staff Andrew Card, deputy chief Karl Rove and National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley. Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. ambassador to Iraq, and Army Gen. George Casey, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, were teleconferenced in from overseas.

Ensign, a supporter of the Bush war management and Iraq reconstruction, said the talk was about "the challenges and the infrastructure in Iraq, some of the changes taking place over there, some of the good news and some of the bad news. It was a pretty frank discussion and also a plea for bipartisanship."

Ensign said he put in a plug for legislation he got passed last fall that allows U.S. forces to use tear gas in combat situations. Although tear gas is used by U.S. riot police, the military had operated with the understanding it was a chemical weapon banned by international treaty.

Four Republican senators and five Democrats were invited to the White House.

While Congress has split over Iraq policy, Ensign said White House consultations with senators from both parties might ease debate over how the United States should deal with Iran's brewing nuclear ambitions.

"As we go forward if there is an Iran problem that requires action, it cannot be a partisan issue," Ensign said.

ideas applauded

State Minority Leader Sen. Dina Titus was the second gubernatorial candidate to go before the Board of Regents and share her plans for higher education.

She gave her pitch Friday at the Community College of Southern Nevada and got a standing ovation, an honor not bestowed on Congressman Jim Gibbons, who spoke before the board in December.

Titus received her loudest round of applause when she dissed the state public works board, which she said takes too long and costs too much to complete projects.

She supported the university system's plan to complete build-lease projects, which allow private entities to construct facilities. They then lease the property to the state, which eventually assumes ownership of the project.

She received more applause when she said colleges and universities should be able to keep more of the money from tuition increases on campus. She said the state should fund the university system formula at 100 percent.

"I think out-of-state tuition should be raised," she said.

The extra revenue could go into a scholarship fund for students studying to become teachers, nurses or emergency responders. "They could get it as a loan and pay it back or have it forgiven if they stay in state and work," she said.

RACE TO WATCH

House Republican campaign leaders say they will be monitoring Nevada more closely now that a former aide to Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., is preparing to launch a campaign against incumbent Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev.

Rep. Tom Reynolds, R-N.Y., National Republican Campaign Committee chairman, described Porter as a "superb" legislator and "tremendous" fundraiser, but told reporters Friday he will be watching that race.

"Jon Porter is always going to have a tough race," Reynolds said. "His district is growing by 4,000 people a month."

Reid press secretary Tessa Hafen announced Jan. 23 that she had resigned to consider running against Porter.

Asked about Reid's possible involvement to help a protege, Reynolds said, "I think Harry Reid is going to have all they can do to work on the Senate."

Review-Journal writer K.C. Howard and Stephens Washington Bureau writer Samantha Young contributed to this report.