Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Debate over Metro leaves queasy feeling

Ruthe Deskin is assistant to the publisher. Her column appears Thursdays. Reach her at [email protected].

Why do I have bad vibes regarding the now-confirmed rumors about a study in City Hall to break up our Metro police department and establish a Las Vegas city police department?

I was around when the original consolidation took place with a goal of saving money by combining facilities and services. The arguments were solid and we have been led to believe that consolidation has been successful in achieving the goals set.

So, what has happened to change the picture?

City officials claim that a new in-house study shows that the city could save between $9 million and $17 million each year by establishing its own police force. I don't believe that, but am willing to be convinced. I certainly have questions about the role City Councilman Michael McDonald has in this scenario.

It's very obvious that there has been some back-room maneuvering to get the study results that McDonald wanted. Even the sheriff was taken by surprise when the story broke, which brings me back to McDonald.

A former cop with Metro, McDonald has been nit-picking the police department ever since he was elected. It's common knowledge that he and the sheriff are not bosom buddies. McDonald's criticism of Metro was dulled quite a bit when an outside audit praised the department and did not support any of the alleged shortcomings.

Now I'm not saying that McDonald is the only one pushing for a city police department, but he does have a lot to gain. How about Las Vegas Police Chief Mike McDonald? Is that something in the future? McDonald's clout on the city council is indisputable. He has the votes to swing matters his way and wouldn't hesitate to use them. He's a smart politician. And a plum is being offered to taxpayers in the way of a nebulous promise that our taxes would be lowered. I don't believe that either.

The next move might be what most government agencies do in cases like this: hire an outside consultant for several thousand dollars. Then wait several months for a report that most likely could have been prepared by staff representing both the city and Metro. Whatever happens I hope that the end result is based on cold, hard facts and not on pet peeves or personality conflicts. We taxpayers deserve more than that.

A man got on the stand during the Binion murder trial hearing and admitted that he had supplied the victim with heroin. I couldn't help wondering how many others he supplies and if he shouldn't be languishing in jail as a major drug dealer. Just wondering.

More on that 1930s ice cream parlor mentioned in a previous column. Helen Cecil called to let us know that a fellow named Charlie Askew was the proprietor. Readers might remember that this all started with a question from Irene Huff and an answer from Carolyn Trelease.

For me, the most satisfying thing about writing a column is to have reader participation. Thank you, Irene, Carolyn and Helen.

Senior citizen philosophy: Seen it all. Done it all. Can't remember most of it.

archive