Head turners: It’s all happening in Henderson, of course

What would become the city of Henderson was born during World War II, around an industrial plant that supplied the country with magnesium for munition casings and airplane engines.

Thanks to a building boom during the 1980s and 1990s that turned wide swaths of vacant desert into the region known as Green Valley, Henderson is now home to more than a quarter-million people. It's the second-largest city in Nevada.

But while Henderson has evolved into a sophisticated suburban enclave, its political leadership at times appears to cling to the type of back-room, behind-the-scenes, out-of-the-spotlight maneuvering more common in small-town America than a city of its stature.

The head turners have been piling up, lately.

Late last year, city officials rewrote the qualifications for city attorney in order to facilitate the appointment of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's son to the post. The position became vacant when the previous city attorney was given a golden parachute to exit the job following a drunken driving arrest -- while on the clock.

Then came the controversy involving a city councilwoman forced to step down when allegations surfaced about financial improprieties at a charity she founded. After Kathleen Vermillion apparently attempted suicide, Henderson officials refused to release the tape of a 911 phone call from her residence, citing medical privacy concerns.

Now, the city is emerging from a scandal involving Henderson police officers caught on video roughing up a man in diabetic shock whom they thought was a drunken driver. The incident came to light only after the man's attorney released the video last month and the City Council approved a six-figure settlement with the victim. Chief of Police Jutta Chambers resigned, and City Manager Mark Calhoun announced he'll retire in May -- although he maintains his decision is unrelated to the police beating.

Given how all this excitement has generated increased scrutiny and vocal criticism from some residents, one might expect the City Council's search for a new city manager to be conducted thoroughly and transparently.

One would be wrong.

Instead, it looks like the city is rushing to hire Jacob Snow, longtime general manager of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada and close friend of Mayor Andy Hafen. No search. No application process. Nothing.

"I want to have a discussion (with council members) regarding Jacob Snow," Mr. Hafen said last week. To that end, the City Council is set to address the matter at its Tuesday meeting. The deal could be done that quickly if enough council members agree.

Mr. Snow may indeed be a formidable candidate. But this is an important hire, one that could affect the direction of the city for years to come. What's the hurry?

City officials need to slow down. Open the process to all comers and invite Mr. Snow to apply. Examine the applications, whittle down the candidates to a few finalists and vet the contenders in an open forum.

The last thing Henderson needs right now is the perception that city officials are engaging in another juice job rather than taking a sober, deliberative and transparent approach to filling a vital public position.

Henderson is no longer some sleepy burg on the way to Hoover Dam. It's a teeming, vibrant bedroom community whose residents take pride in their schools, parks and upscale amenities. They deserve a city government in which they can take pride, too.