Vol. 3, No. 2 February 2007, Tumbling Dice
Gaming Board Down One
The Nevada Gaming Control Board held its monthly meeting with just two members in January, as an ongoing conflict over who will fill the seat left vacant by Bobby Siller’s retirement continued to play out.
Control Board Chairman Dennis Neilander and board member Mark Clayton handled the meeting alone, while a third seat sat vacant.
Neilander requested Keith Munro and Randy Sayre—the two in contention for the seat—not attend the meeting.
“We have a quorum today,” he said. “We do not have a third member at this time. That matter is still being resolved. So, in the best interests of the state, I felt it would be best to go ahead with just two members so that no one could question the validity of our actions today.”
Former Governor Kenny Guinn appointed Munro, his former chief of staff, to fill the seat that Siller announced he would vacate at the start of the year. However, new Governor Jim Gibbons appointed Sayre to the seat.
Gibbons and Guinn do not get along, prompting some to question Gibbons’ motives in making his appointment. He made the appointment shortly after midnight on New Year’s Eve, after having himself sworn in as governor almost immediately after the New Year started. Gibbons said he maid the appointment because he did not believe Guinn’s appointment was valid.
Munro was sworn in after his appointment in November.
Gibbons praised Munro for the work he has done for the state, but said Sayre is a better candidate to serve on the gaming board.
Control Board Chairman Dennis Neilander and board member Mark Clayton handled the meeting alone, while a third seat sat vacant.
Neilander requested Keith Munro and Randy Sayre—the two in contention for the seat—not attend the meeting.
“We have a quorum today,” he said. “We do not have a third member at this time. That matter is still being resolved. So, in the best interests of the state, I felt it would be best to go ahead with just two members so that no one could question the validity of our actions today.”
Former Governor Kenny Guinn appointed Munro, his former chief of staff, to fill the seat that Siller announced he would vacate at the start of the year. However, new Governor Jim Gibbons appointed Sayre to the seat.
Gibbons and Guinn do not get along, prompting some to question Gibbons’ motives in making his appointment. He made the appointment shortly after midnight on New Year’s Eve, after having himself sworn in as governor almost immediately after the New Year started. Gibbons said he maid the appointment because he did not believe Guinn’s appointment was valid.
Munro was sworn in after his appointment in November.
Gibbons praised Munro for the work he has done for the state, but said Sayre is a better candidate to serve on the gaming board.
Greg Jones is managing editor of Casino Connection Nevada, as well as associate editor of Global Gaming Business magazine.
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