Gibbons portrayed as absentee governor while state in crisis

[Liberal_in_LA]

Gibbons portrayed as absentee governor while state in crisis

By the summer of 2008, Gov. Jim Gibbons’ whereabouts were often unknown — even to his senior staff.

Only he and his longtime scheduler had access to the governor’s calendar. As a result, senior staff were often forced to “wing it,” as one said.

Some weekend days in spring and summer, he was not to be disturbed — he was mowing the significant lawn at his Reno home.

When Gibbons was absent or unavailable and something needed to get out, staff would use what is known as an “autopen,” a device that replicates a signature, to sign official documents and letters.

------------

For them, the autopen became a symbol of Gibbons’ tenure. As Nevada endured the worst crisis in its history, he was for months — perhaps years — disengaged from the day-to-day duties of governing, uninterested in public policy and often absent. That is the portrait that emerged in interviews with more than a dozen current and former aides, legislators and lobbyists. Many former staff members would not comment, even when granted anonymity.

Now, fighting for his political life in next month’s Republican primary, Gibbons has recently become more engaged, including during the February special session of the Legislature to close a more than $800 million budget hole.

-----------

In a series of meetings, Gibbons’ core staff gathered to determine how they would balance the budget. Gibbons never attended nor did he provide policy direction beyond “no tax increases, no fee increases,” according to a former official, whose account was confirmed by others.

In his stead, one of Gibbons’ biggest campaign contributors, Monte Miller, and Jim Denton, an outside political adviser, joined by conference call. They would make decisions on weighty matters such as whether to include a room tax increase, what services to cut and the level of pay reduction state employees should take.

At one meeting, late in the process, Health and Human Services Director Mike Willden laid out a grisly set of cuts, including forcing people off kidney dialysis.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/may/16/public-arena-he-disdains-second-story/

[underpants]

1. Hmmm disappears in Nevada with that Las Vegas for days on end....

wonder what two things first come to mind :think:

[Pab Sungenis]

2. I didn't know the Appalachian Trail reached all the way to Nevada.

My, the things you learn from Republicans.

[tonysam]

4. It originated there. n/t

[tonysam]

3. Too late, Jimbo

Chasing tail with Leslie, Kathy, and whoever else was more important to you than governing.