Tuesday, April 2, 2002 | 9:16 a.m.
She helped lead the city of Las Vegas into a new millennium and had promised to continue until the end of the mayor's first term, but City Manager Virginia Valentine has decided to leave government to devote more time to her family.
Valentine informed city staff, the City Council and Mayor Oscar Goodman Monday morning of her resignation, effective May 31.
Goodman, who has leaned heavily on Valentine, asked the city manager to reconsider but gave his blessing when she said she wanted to spend more time with her 18-month-old daughter, Autumn. Other council members thought the news was an April Fools' joke.
"She gave me the only reason that she could have given me to have my blessing," Goodman said.
Valentine, who was named city manager in 1998, said she wanted a more flexible job. Her current schedule is packed with regular council briefings, council meetings and a spot on Goodman's bi-weekly "Town Hall" TV show.
"It's been a great job, and I'm going to miss it, but I would like to have more time with Autumn," she said.
Goodman said he has relied on Valentine since he became mayor in 1999.
"I did not have any experience with government when I came over here. She took me under her wing and was very protective of me.
"I'm going to miss that of course, but life goes on."
Valentine, who has an engineering background and was general manager of the Clark County Regional Flood Control District before joining the city, said she had no immediate job offers.
Valentine's departure leaves questions about who will lead the city as it faces issues such as homeless problems and planning the development of 61 acres west of downtown.
Valentine said she would recommend the council conduct a national search, as well as considering in-house candidates. Deputy City Managers Betsy Fretwell, Steven Houchens and Doug Selby would be prime candidates because of their knowledge of the city, several council members said.
The city manager's office oversees 15 departments, nearly 3,000 employees and a $630 million budget.
In recent months Valentine helped the council set priorities for funding city services as revenues dwindled. She also put a hiring freeze and energy conservation measures into place.
Valentine also helped the city acquire the 61 acres of former Union Pacific Railroad land west of downtown.
Councilman Gary Reese said he cried when Valentine told him the news.
"She has been a very good friend, she has a lot of expertise, and I think she's done a great job as city manager," Reese said. "You won't find someone to replace her overnight, not the way she has raised the bar.
"She has definitely been a mentor to me, she's taught me a lot through her education and her knowledge," he said.
Reese said he hopes to fill the position with someone local, possibly one of the deputy city managers.
"I think each one of the three deputies we have certainly brings a lot to the table," Reese said. "Under Virginia, they have learned a lot about the workings of the city ... I think they're all good at what they do."
Councilman Lawrence Weekly, who said he thought the announcement was an April Fools' joke, said the news comes at a bad time, as the city prepares for the next legislative session and confronts homeless and downtown redevelopment issues.
"It's a loss to the city because I think she really brought talent to the table," Weekly said. He said Valentine provided a clear vision for the city.
"I think to have to deal with seven different personalities, seven different agendas, I think she did a really good job with keeping the city on the cutting edge."
Like Reese, Weekly said he does not support a national search and hopes to look internally for a new city manager.
Late Monday Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald said she was still waiting for Valentine to say "Gotcha!" but realized it was not a joke. She said she understood Valentine's reasons for leaving because she, too, is the mother of a young child. Boggs McDonald said it will be difficult to find a replacement for Valentine.
"I think what really stands out was that she probably created one of the strongest senior management teams in the history of the city," Boggs McDonald said.
"She provided an environment of leadership and mentoring that made it possible for a David Washington to be a fire chief, a Barbara Jackson to become Leisure Services director and Larry Haugsness a Field Operations director."
Councilman Michael Mack said a replacement should have qualities like Valentine's, including an engineering background.
"I think she's helped our council ... which had their differences, but I think she's done a great job of bringing us all together," Mack said. "She has completely revamped the way city government functions in my eyes."
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