Bid to soften ethics laws feels awfully familiar

How Henderson City Attorney Josh Reid can say that his proposed changes to the city’s ethics laws were not loosening them is laughable.

Give me a break.

Reid sought to soften the city’s ethics laws so more relatives of the mayor, the City Council and department heads could benefit by doing business with the city.

But if the council had proceeded as Reid desired, its members might as well have put “stupid” tapes across their mouths, the way Bernie Sanders supporters did with “silence” tapes at the Democratic National Convention. Or maybe the mayor and council could wear “stupid” tape across their eyes.

Reid’s idea first hit the Las Vegas Review-Journal courtesy of Henderson beat reporter Natalie Bruzda’s July 20 story. She exposed Reid’s lousy idea to change the ethics ordinances because it negatively affected an unidentified sibling or cousin who worked for a company that did business with Henderson.

“We realized we made this way too broad,” Reid told her.

So some company that hired a relative of the mayor, city council or department head lost out on contracts.

Well, boohoo.

Since Reid said he cannot identify the family members involved, we don’t know who is “hurting” by not getting Henderson city contracts.

The change Reid desired would alter the ordinance so that the ethics provision, which now applies to broadly defined “family” members, would be limited narrowly to “household” members.

“Family member” includes children, stepchildren, parents, first-degree stepparents, siblings, stepsiblings, grandparents, grandchildren, second-degree stepgrandchildren; and nephews/nieces, uncles/aunts, great-grandparents and great-grandchildren. You know, the people you likely love.

The only positive out of this is that council members Debra March and John Marz raised concerns. Kudos to them.

Hypothetically, a grown son or daughter who lives at home could not benefit financially by being paid directly or indirectly with Henderson tax dollars. But the son or daughter who is married, has six kids, and lives next door, could be enriched with city dollars without a problem under Reid’s amendment. Reid said the ordinances were being withdrawn for further study, suggesting they might be back.

A second ordinance would eliminate a one-year “cooling-off” period that blocks Henderson elected officials, employees and board and commission members from becoming Henderson lobbyists. They would be able to take their insider information and get paid to lobby. It’s another lousy idea designed to let these folks make money by using their earlier position and relationships.

For years, Henderson politicians have helped relatives and in-laws benefit.

Reid himself is the No. 1 example of favoritism. The son of Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., became the city attorney in 2011 only after minimum standards were lowered. Of the six finalists, he was the only one without 10 years experience (although he was close). And he didn’t have five years with a public agency; all his work was in private practice. The other five all had public agency experience. So the standards were changed so he could be considered.

Maybe he would have been chosen city attorney if he had not been the Democratic senator’s son.

Maybe.

Before Bruzda’s predecessor Eric Hartley moved to Virginia, he broke a story that six of Hafen’s relatives were on the city payroll. What are the odds? Of course, Hafen denied any favoritism, but all six were hired since 1987 when he became a councilman.

Councilwoman Gerri Schroder’s husband was hired as a temporary housing specialist in 2013. The job was not advertised, but the city noted temporary jobs don’t have to be advertised. How convenient.

None of this is new.

In 2005, nepotism was viewed as a major problem at the College of Southern Nevada, where hiring relatives had become commonplace.

The Las Vegas Housing Authority once was notorious for hiring relatives, causing the firing of one director. Clark County School District board member Shirley Barber caught flak when her daughter went to work for the district in 1997.

Southern Nevada hasn’t reached the level of Chicago patronage when it comes to rewarding relatives and supporters with jobs. But even an effort to loosen standards is a nudge in that direction.

Despite his denial, that’s exactly what Josh Reid’s ordinances would have done.

Jane Ann Morrison’s column runs Thursdays. Leave messages for her at 702-383-0275 or email jmorrison@reviewjournal.com. Find her on Twitter: @janeannmorrison.