Greatest Show on Earth is bus contract antics

The circus is coming back to town, and this time it might be goofier than ever.

Swing by the Regional Transportation Commission on Thursday and see for yourself. Come join dozens of Mesquite residents taking the bus to Las Vegas and bus drivers taking their concerns to the commission.

Witness high-priced consultants and attorneys pumping up their companies and punching holes in the competition's reputations, as First Transit and Veolia Transportation continue their feud over a $600 million contract to operate a bus system.

Watch commissioners listen intently as Veolia representatives describe how buses will break down and union workers will be paid pennies if the contract is awarded to First Transit. See them squirm in their seats as they explain to taxpayers why they are voting in favor of Veolia's bid that over a seven-year period costs $50 million more than First Transit's proposal.

Step right up for the next act, when First Transit consultants claim Veolia's bid is so high because it is making huge profits at taxpayers' expense. And how if Veolia wins the contract, the commission will have no option but to cut services to rural communities such as Mesquite and Laughlin. How a Veolia vote will send a message to outsiders that Nevada does not welcome competition.

Spectators could be in for some surprises. Could the newest commissioner, Mesquite City Councilman Kraig Hafen, become the vote that gives Veolia the contract?

Don't hold you breath. Hafen reportedly is chartering a bus to shuttle Mesquite residents into town. He is paying for the ride with his own money. His generous offer is probably for those who want to see the side-show, as the commissioners are scheduled to vote to eliminate one of the town's two Silver Rider bus routes.

Hafen's troupe probably has some interest in the issue in the center ring. It is safe to say that Mesquiters don't want Veolia because Jacob Snow, general manager of the Regional Transportation Commission, has repeatedly said the higher-priced contract could mean the bus service linking the small community to the big city would be slashed.

Hafen's predecessor on the commission, David Bennett, expressed serious concerns about that and consistently voted for First Transit.

Hey, this wouldn't be a true Vegas three-ring circus unless one tosses in a dash of questionable relationships and, yes, a federal investigation.

So turn your attention to Las Vegas City Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian, who replaced Oscar Goodman on the commission shortly after this circus's first run through town. Don't get me wrong, I do not think she is a dishonest public servant.

But Tarkanian has a close relationship with Sig Rogich, the lead consultant lobbying for Veolia. Rogich convinced a guy named Jerry Tarkanian to coach basketball in Las Vegas, a move that resulted in a national championship and royalty status for the Tarkanians. Is it difficult to imagine that Lois Tarkanian would struggle to reject a proposal that would reconfirm Rogich's influence in this city?

Here's another questionable connection: Terry Murphy, a well-known consultant representing First Transit, worked on commission chairman Larry Brown's campaign for Las Vegas mayor.

I'm not certain either of these relationships amount to ethical quandaries, but it is important to note that the Nevada Ethics Commission recently ruled that elected officials should recuse themselves from votes involving folks with whom they have a business relationship. It is equally important to note that U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia overturned the ruling, saying that restricting a public official's right to vote is an infringement of free speech.

Next we bring you an investigation. The U.S. Federal Transit Administration is probing a recent vote by Phoenix's Public Transit Department to award a contract to Veolia. Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon recused himself from the vote, but the Phoenix New Times reported that he assisted with the negotiations.

The problem is Gordon's girlfriend, who was also a former campaign worker, and his longtime friend were paid consultants for Veolia. Chances are that investigation will be brought up by somebody Thursday.

Now for the closing act. The grand finale.

In July, the Regional Transportation Commission members rescinded an earlier decision to give First Transit the contract because the vote was deemed illegal by the attorney general's office. Chairman Larry Brown asked the agency's administrators to return this month "with a menu of options."

But the only agenda item is to approve a new contract. Snow, once again, recommends First Transit, the low bidder.

Here's the show stopper. My prediction is this vote will be a 4-4 tie. All that excitement and the grand finale will be the big top deflating faster than the Metrodome in a blizzard. That means commissioners will probably be forced to start over again and rebid the contract.

So, if you miss the circus Thursday, don't fret, it isn't the last time it will roll into town.

If you have a question, tip or tirade, call Adrienne Packer at 702-387-2904, or send an email to roadwarrior@ reviewjournal.com. Include your phone number.