New Crazy Horse Too Hits Barrier
Expansion Plans Halted
©1997-2002 Las Vegas Tribune
November 20, 2002
By Steve Miller
After months of speculation, the Crazy Horse Too topless club announced plans to build a new building, but hit a legal barrier with a coincidental name. Facing competition from two mega-gentleman's clubs about to open less than a half mile away - the $25 million dollar Sapphire, and the $15 million dollar BoardRoom - the aging Crazy Horse recently failed to evict its next door neighbor, Buffalo Jim Barrier owner of Allstate Auto Repair, to make room for its new project.

300 Pound Bouncer to be Tried for Battery
9 Beatings Reported - "Pattern of Violence Continues"
©1997-2002 Las Vegas Tribune
FRONT PAGE
November 6, 2002
By Steve Miller
A 300-pound, 6' 1" man employed as a bouncer at the Crazy Horse Too topless bar, 2476 Industrial Rd. is scheduled to be tried January 29 in Municipal Court on two assault and battery charges.

The New - Old Racket
 COMMENTARY: Steve Miller
 ©1997-2002 Las Vegas Tribune
 October 23, 2002
Soon, instead of beefing up enforcement, the TA crumbled. The "tipping" law was abandoned. Now, it's the locals who are paying the bill while a few greedy cabbies and sleaze businesses reap the rewards.

The Return of the "Good Ol' Boys Land Deal"
 ©1997-2002 Las Vegas Tribune
By Steve Miller
 October 9, 2002
On May 31, 1996, Mayor Jan Jones and the Las Vegas City Council purchased 156 acres of prime west Las Vegas land from a former Mayor, a group of politically connected businessmen, and several present and former public officials. The taxable value of the land was listed at $5.6 million at the time of the sale though the actual price the taxpayers paid is unknown. It is now being considered for a regional park.

When Suspicions First Arose
 COMMENTARY:  Steve Miller
 ©1997-2002 Las Vegas Tribune
 September 25, 2002
She told me that she felt that the Stupak/Lurie election had been tampered with. She also said that she and her deputies were ordered out of the ballot counting room for more than an hour during the main part of the count. She stated that during her absence the mayoral votes reversed in their order and Stupak, who was leading in the count, lost his lead by several thousand votes during her absence. Since the City Clerk is the chief election officer during city elections, it was very unusual - possibly illegal - that the Clerk and her staff would be removed from the ballot counting area during election night.

Former Registrar of Voters now working for voting machine manufacturer
 COMMENTARY: Steve Miller
 ©1997-2002 Las Vegas Tribune
 September 4, 2002
In 1993, a group of citizens pleaded with the Clark County Commission to buy optical scan voting equipment that preserves a paper ballot in case a recount is demanded. Instead, the Commission followed the advice of then-Clark County Registrar of Voters Kathryn Ferguson and purchased millions of dollars worth of touch-screen, paperless voting machines manufactured by a company that is now her employer.

The Thread That Binds
 COMMENTARY: Steve Miller
 ©1997-2002 Las Vegas Tribune
 August 28, 2002
Tony Sgro was the attorney for John Staluppi, the car dealer responsible for bringing Las Vegas City Councilmen Larry Brown and Michael Mack up on ethics charges. Sgro is also the attorney for Councilman Michael McDonald and his best friend, topless bar owner Rick Rizzolo. A coincidence? Maybe.

Tit for Tat
 COMMENTARY: Steve Miller
 ©1997-2002 Las Vegas Tribune
 August 14, 2002
If Jaguars is to remain in the county, a new ordinance allowing it to go bottomless will need to be passed to counterbalance Oscar’s "I think anything that's legal should be here" offer. So, in the best tradition of Nevada politics, a compromise is in the works.

18 Year Old Strippers in City Bars?
 COMMENTARY: Steve Miller
 ©1997-2002 Las Vegas Tribune
 August 7, 2002
The Mayor's proposal to charge teenagers $400 per year for a business license is ridiculous and insults our intelligence when so many laws are clearly being broken! Under existing city, county, and state laws, teenagers presently have no place in topless and bottomless bars hustling drinks or trying to "make a living, as the Mayor stated, " in very private VIP rooms behind closed doors. Oscar should either change ALL the laws, or enforce the existing ones equally between the city and county - period! To not do so is an invitation for a Writ of Mandamus to compel the City of Las Vegas to enforce its own ordinances. If a Writ of Mandamus is sought, and it certainly will be if the Mayor's scheme is approved, taxpayers should not pay expensive private attorneys to defend Oscar's friends in the trade.

They Haven’t Got a Clue!
 COMMENTARY: Steve Miller
 ©1997-2002 Las Vegas Tribune
 July 24, 2002
Michael, Rick, Tony, Jan, Brian, Steve and Tom, thanks for your quotes and inspiration, but I no longer wish to be listed in the LV Social Register alongside the likes of you.

Meadows Village Residents Present Painting to Mayor
 ©1997-2002 Las Vegas Tribune
 FRONT PAGE
 July 10, 2002
 By Tribune Staff
Meadows Village residents have long asked for a Metro substation in their high crime area but have so far only received "lip service" from Metro and city officials according to Christoff. "Maybe this humorous painting will finally get their attention," he said. "Maybe now they will finally began to realize that our little corner of the city is in desperate need of help."

Clout
 COMMENTARY: Steve Miller
 ©1997-2002 Las Vegas Tribune
 July 3, 2002
I was once accused of being a megalomaniac by Las Vegas Sun megalomaniac Brian Greenspun. In doing so, young Brian proved that "It takes one to know one." Well, he was right. At the time while serving as a City Councilman, I had almost unlimited power to use and/or abuse my clout especially when it came to giving orders to staff members at City Hall.

Changing Las Vegas Resale Home Values
 COMMENTARY: Steve Miller
 ©1997-2002 Las Vegas Tribune
 June, 26, 2002
I never thought I would be giving thanks for poor roads and gridlock, but, I am shamelessly finding myself doing so today because the center of our dilapidated city is finally benefiting. Please don't vote for an increase in the sales tax to pay for new roads to the hinterlands so more people can clog them. I  like it just the way it is. No city is any better than its core, and downntown Las Vegas is finally getting a break thanks to our clogged roads.

The Big Squeeze
 COMMENTARY: Steve Miller
 ©1997-2002 Las Vegas Tribune
 June 5, 2002
No one will challenge Steve Wynn in the county, and even our happy Mayor shies away from challenging Barrier's landlord in the city. It seems that Oscar Goodman, prior to becoming Mayor, wasthe criminal defense attorney of several of Barrier's landlord's cronies. Though the Mayor denies turning his back on numerous dangerous conditions at the campaign contributor's place of business, when city facilities are used to aid and abet the expansion of a topless bar, it takes clout from the top of City Hall!

Prosecutorial Misconduct may stymie David Roger's DA Campaign
 Murphy Files for New Trial - New Allegations Surface
 © Copyright Las Vegas Tribune, Inc.
 May 22, 2002
 By Steve Miller
...that Binion received $10 million the morning he died, money which was never recovered; that Binion's own family members may have been involved in a plot to kill Binion; that Binion was suffocated with a pillow; and that the crime was made to look like a drug overdose.

Culinary Union Workers Entitled to Victory
 COMMENTARY: Steve Miller
 ©1997-2002 Las Vegas Tribune
 May 15, 2002
At a time when MGM Mirage is lavishing minority owned businesses in Detroit with a gift of $50 million dollars to gain competitive-to-Las Vegas casino licenses, and Harrah's is building a $400 million dollar competitive-to-Las Vegas resort in California, the giants are standing on frail ground in their argument that revenues are down therefore they can't afford to continue to give local Culinary Union members free health insurance for themselves and their families.

Neonopolis HOTEL and CASINO
 COMMENTARY: Steve Miller
 ©1997-2002 Las Vegas Tribune
 May 8, 2002
I really want to be proven wrong, but I predict that the creator of Neonopolis is about to be swindled out of his personal fortune by the members of the Fremont Street Experience LLC that run our Downtown. It amazes me how history can repeat itself in such short order in our fair city, but I predict that the fate bestowed on Florida developer Bob Snow in the late 80s is about to befall the unsuspecting Neonopolis developer.

Renata is Still Exposed!
 COMMENTARY: Steve Miller
 ©1997-2002 Las Vegas Tribune
 April 24, 2002
Renata Schiff is the holder of an unlimited gaming license, therefore she is obligated to maintain the highest of standards in order to remain a licensee at the Nevada Palace and Renata's Casino in Green Valley. Maybe that's why she is selling one of her properties - the one that is having all the problems - to Rick Rizzolo the owner of the topless bar that is the subject of the personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits?

Judge, Prosecutors Reveal Prejudices
 © Copyright Las Vegas Tribune, Inc.
 by Steve Miller
 November 7, 2001
Judge Joseph Bonaventure, the judge currently presiding over the appeals of Sandra Murphy and Richard Tabish, attended an August 11 book signing at the Horseshoe Casino. While there, Judge Bonaventure signed several dozen copies of  "Murder in Sin City," an amateurishly written paperback telling one side of the story of the death of former Horseshoe owner Lonnie "Ted" Binion.

“The Favorite Female Las Vegan”
 COMMENTARY: Steve Miller
 ©1997-2002 Las Vegas Tribune
 April 10, 2002
Last month, two years after that revealing article, the readers of the Las Vegas Review Journal amazingly voted Jan Jones "The Favorite Female Las Vegan." Judging by their choice, the RJ readers must not have been aware of Jones' current job. As VP of Government Relations for Harrah's Entertainment, she is responsible for convincing politicians in neighboring states to grant her company permits to build competitive-to-Nevada casinos.

Taxi Authority Dereliction of Duty
 COMMENTARY: Steve Miller
 © Copyright Las Vegas Tribune, Inc.
 March 20, 2002
It is well documented that locals and tourists often wait hours for a cab sometimes causing them to miss flights. Both Mayor Pro Tem Gary Reese and Councilwoman Lynette Boggs-McDonald have registered similar complaints on behalf of their constituents. Christoff believes that the needs of cab riders are being overlooked unless they want to go to a business in the category of those paying bribes.

Our Nuclear "Suppository!"
 COMMENTARY: Steve Miller
 © Copyright Las Vegas Tribune, Inc.
 January 30, 2002
In order to keep trucks carrying nuclear waste away from populated areas, the Federal Government once offered to pay for the entire cost of the beltway around our valley; the bridge over the Colorado River just south of Boulder Dam; and a bridge from Pierce Ferry to Mormon Mesa up near Mesquite. Being politically correct, we said no. Our state's political leaders refused to deal, and our bargaining position faded away.

Brian is a poor excuse for a Greenspun
COMMENTARY: Steve Miller
© Copyright Las Vegas Tribune, Inc.
January 23, 2002
I empathize with Barbara and the rest of the family. I also feel sorry for those who must work with him. With a child like Brian left to carry on the Greenspun family’s good name, Hank must be spinning in his grave.

Cabbie Diversion Hypocrisy
 COMMENTARY: Steve Miller
 © Copyright Las Vegas Tribune, Inc.
 January 16, 2002
Since the late 1990s, Nevada Administrative Code prohibits topless clubs from tipping cab drivers for diverting customers to their places of business. However, the illegal practice has been openly ongoing for many years. Now several topless clubs want the legal hammer dropped on their wayward competitors. Unfortunately, one of the clubs seeking judicial relief is renown for once being the worst offender.

Thank God 2001 is Over!
 COMMENTARY: Steve Miller
 © Copyright Las Vegas Tribune, Inc.
 December 26, 2001
My 2001 awards for Professedly Smart People Saying and Doing Really Moronic Things goes to: Phil "The Cannibal" Satre; Jan "That's my job" Jones; and Rick "A customer leaving the club drunk did trip" Rizzolo. (Sorry Judge Bonaventure, I only had three awards to give out.) One thing is for sure, it will be impossible to top the tragedy, hypocrisy, and stupidity of 2001.

There are two sides to every story – usually
 COMMENTARY: Steve Miller
 © Copyright Las Vegas Tribune, Inc.
 November 28, 2001
I continue to applaud Jon Ralston for his stands, and I refuse to let her break up our meditative relationship. However, I wish Ralston's program would have lived up to its name "Face to Face" so I could have faced Jones last Tuesday because there are always two sides to every story.

Jan Jones and Bob List – Birds of a Feather
 COMMENTARY: Steve Miller
© Copyright Las Vegas Tribune, Inc.
 September 26, 2001
"Former Las Vegas Mayor Jan Jones" has been extraordinarily effective in setting up competition on the roads leading into our state while "Former Governor Robert List" is ready to fill those roads with trucks carrying high level nuclear waste. This should be enough to generate a call to arms within our state borders, but is all but being overshadowed by our national and world dilemma.

We win some, and we lose some…
 COMMENTARY: Steve Miller
© Copyright Las Vegas Tribune, Inc.
 August 15, 2001
In 1998, Reno citizen watchdog Sam Dehne and I refused to pay bogus fines to the Nevada Ethics Commission. Thanks to the ACLU, a federal judge on Monday July 30, ruled that our First Amendment rights were violated and reversed the fines.

Place the blame where it belongs
 COMMENTARY: Steve Miller
© Copyright Las Vegas Tribune, Inc.
 August 8, 2001
In 1998, the state Ethics Commission capriciously excused former mayor Jan Jones of a serious ethical transgression. In fairness, the Commission must now do the same forCouncilman Michael Mack's identical transgression. As is the case with Mack, Jones also dodged questions from the media and was absent from council meetings during the controversy. Its amazing that no one has yet made the following comparison - maybe because of the names of the players involved in the two analogous scenarios:

A "Woman Scorned..."
 COMMENTARY: Steve Miller
© Copyright Las Vegas Tribune, Inc.
 July 25, 2001
During my last year as President of OV, I began receiving confidential complaints from board members, benefactors, and parents of clients about Linda having an affair with one of my Directors. At first I was offended by the complaints because I only knew Glenn and Linda Smith as a loving married couple with two wonderful sons.

You can't get there from here!
 COLUMN: Steve Miller
© Copyright Las Vegas Tribune, Inc.
 November 8, 2000
The railroad crosses under I-15 at Flamingo and travels in an almost straight line into Downtown and beyond. A fixed rail, at grade, trolley system is begging to be built along this right of way! Such a system could comfortably carry tens of thousands of new visitors into our now dying Downtown each day, and free up auto lanes on the Strip.

Weighing Sprawl in the Las Vegas Valley
 COMMENTARY: Steve Miller
 © Copyright Las Vegas Tribune, Inc.
 March 28, 2001
Since the rewriting of the Master Plan, Las Vegas’ allure has become a double-edged sword. Granted, we offer ample cheap housing and thousands of entry level jobs – housing and jobs so plentiful that we should erect our own Statues of Liberty on the roads leading into the valley; at the U-Haul lots; and at the Greyhound bus station – but at what price?
SprawlCity USA website

No City is Any Better Than its Downtown
 COLUMN: Steve Miller
© Copyright Las Vegas Tribune, Inc.
 March 7, 2001
Local politicians are giving corporate welfare to home builder/campaign contributor friends at the expense of long time Las Vegas home owners and our downtown's redevelopment. New home prices in LV are so artificially low that they are ruining our older neighborhoods. We are being taxed to subsidize new schools, new parks, new libraries, etc., for the benefit of new homebuilders who compete with our older neighborhoods for homebuyers.

 A Reality Check on Yucca Mountain
COLUMN: Steve Miller
© Copyright Las Vegas Tribune, Inc.
 February 28, 2001
Recently, politicians and wannabe's are grabbing headlines by bragging that they will be the first to lay down in the middle of  the Spaghetti Bowl to stop the semi-trucks; the same trucks that have been carrying low level nuclear waste through our valley for several decades.

The National Gambling Impact Study Commission hearings were told both sides of the gaming story
COLUMN: Steve Miller
 © Copyright Las Vegas Tribune
November 25, 1998

THE MAYOR'S SWEETHEART LAND DEAL
  © Copyright Las Vegas Tribune
January 24.1999
By Steve Miller
To the amazement of many, Mr. Walters bought his leased 160 acres of similar land from the taxpayers for only $5,600 per acre. Mike McDonald's excuse for voting for the sweetheart deal? He needed the money to build parks.

The Little Train that Couldn't
COLUMN: Steve Miller
© Copyright Las Vegas Tribune
January 31, 2001
     Politicos & Casinos NIX FREE rapid transit for LV

Bravo to the National Gambling Impact Study Commission
COLUMN: Steve Miller
© Copyright Las Vegas Tribune
June 3, 1999
 Prohibition of casinos being involved in politics makes perfect sense in light of the bizarre examples I have stated above involving our state's biggest political campaign contributors such as Steve Wynn and other casino owners.

The Sequoia Pacific cancer
 Las Vegas Tribune
© Copyright Las Vegas Tribune, Inc.
 May 31,1999
I have studied the Sequoia Pacific voting system for many years and I am convinced that its’ paperless status is perfectly suited for mass vote manipulation.

Are There Double Standards For Nudie Bar Applicants?
 COLUMN: Steve Miller
© Copyright Las Vegas Tribune, Inc.
 January 24, 2001
The cost of the Atlanta trip was to be $11,000. Commissioner Dario Herrera argued that the trip was not necessary and that he could not support spending the taxpayer's money in that way. Commissioner Erin Kenny supported his stance. The discussion played down the fact that the cost would be reimbursed by the applicant. Woodbury, Kincaid and Gates argued that it is not a problem to allow a strip club -- which would be the only one in the unincorporated county -- to open without looking into the owners' background. The last background check conducted on Galardi was in 1990.

Where is Las Vegas? What's in a name?
COLUMN: Steve Miller
© Copyright Las Vegas Tribune
July 4, 1999
The difference between the city and county is like night and day. As you drive north past the Sahara Hotel and into the city it looks as though you are entering Beirut! Is this the way to treat your namesake?

MGM opens casino in downtown Detroit with $50 million gift
 COLUMN: Steve Miller
 © Copyright Las Vegas Tribune
 August 2, 1999
   They are betraying the hand that fed them by giving Nevada-made-money to others far away while our downtowns are falling apart.

Why is Nevada government poverty-stricken?
COLUMN: Steve Miller
© Copyright Las Vegas Tribune
August 30, 1999
 When Kenny Guinn was elected Governor last year he inherited two things from his predecessor Bob Miller: a one hundred and forty-one million-dollar deficit, and Gov. Miller's campaign manager Sig Rogich. Since that election our state continues to suffer shortfalls in funding for such vital services as police, road construction, and schools.

MGM defends $50 million dollar gift to Detroit
 "And they had the gall to call my criticism 'Childish!' "
COLUMN: Steve Miller
© Copyright Las Vegas Tribune
September 9, 1999
I was a gaming regulator from 1987 through 1991. During that time I voted on the licensing and regulation of dozens of large and small casinos. To Messrs. Redmond and Yemenidjian's obvious dismay, this experience makes me eminently qualified to comment on the gambling industry whether here or outside Nevada.

Sacramento Station Hotel and Casino
COLUMN: Steve Miller
© Copyright Las Vegas Tribune
October 14, 1999
Then came the bombshell! On Page 8, under the heading 'Potential messages,' Number 3, it stated: 'While legalized gaming may contribute to California's coffers, it will bring with it all the things that follow -- increased crime, prostitution, laundering drug money, etc.' " -- From the Nevada Resort Association commissioned report by Burson-Marsteller. I know the folks up in Reno along with all other concerned Nevada taxpayers will be watching this matter very closely because we Nevadans have the most to lose if Station Casinos succeed on California I-80!

Glut of cheap new homes devastates Las Vegas
  © Copyright Las Vegas Tribune
 October 26, 1999
 by Steve Miller
LAS VEGAS' RESALE HOME VALUES ROSE ONLY 1.8% IN 1999 COMPARED TO 5% FOR THE REST OF THE NATION!  Local politicians are giving corporate welfare to home builder/campaign contributor friends at the expense of long time Las Vegans and our downtown.

Judging the ethics of the ethicists
 COLUMN: Steve Miller
 © Copyright Las Vegas Tribune
 November 30, 1999
What a chilling effect such behavior has had on the ability of citizens to question the ethics of their elected officials. It is timely to now question these relationships based on the bizarre recent opinions of the ethicists who serve at the favor of Bob Miller, Kenny Guinn, and their campaign manager Sig Rogich.  It is time to pass judgement on the ethics of the ethicists before all the messengers are shot.

A Tank in Every Driveway
 COLUMN: Steve Miller
© Copyright Las Vegas Tribune, Inc.
 August 9, 2000
Bill: Since there is no law against parking your tank on the street, and since there is no law that prohibits you from positioning your UNLOADED fifty-caliber machine gun at perpendicular angles, I suggest that you alternately park your beautiful tank in front of the Mayor's house on Bannie Lane, or in front of City Hall. Just make sure that the barrel of that gorgeous "Fifty-Caliber" points where the sun rarely shines. They'll get the point!

 Good Bye D.I.
COLUMN: Steve Miller
© Copyright Las Vegas Tribune, Inc.
 August 30, 2000
The Desert Inn was the last of the People Places on the Strip. Now, thanks to the "vision" of Steve and Elaine Wynn, Las Vegas Boulevard consists of a row of themed architectural wonders that are beginning to blend together into a huge multicolor multicultural collage of un-desert-like motifs that celebrate all other places but Las Vegas.  Its' now almost impossible to tell that as Vegas is located in a desert except during July and August when the heat overpowers the wonders of even the most mega of  Mega-resorts.

"Like a Good Neighbor...Steve Wynn is There..."
 COLUMN: Steve Miller
© Copyright Las Vegas Tribune, Inc.
 October 11, 2000
A number of pioneer citizens who choose to remain in their beautiful homes on what was once the Desert Inn golf course are learning the true meaning of "political clout!" Meanwhile, their alacrity will once again prove that Steve Wynn and his unnatural political control of local government agencies is one of our state’s most appalling problems.

Downtown Oscar Brown!
 COLUMN: Steve Miller
© Copyright Las Vegas Tribune, Inc.
 October 4, 2000
It is so refreshing to have a Mayor who knows where the city limits are of the town he was elected to serve. Its fun to watch Mayor Oscar Goodman when he tries to control his enthusiasm about re-directing the mis-direction of his predecessor back to where it belongs; in the city that starts just north of Sahara Avenue - the city named Las Vegas.
The Pappas story...
Why another downtown parking garage???
 COLUMN: Steve Miller
© Copyright Las Vegas Tribune
June 28, 1999
Now the taxpayers are paying another $17 million for a new underground parking garage right next door to a perfectly good, albeit empty, red parking garage! Reasonable people should ask why?

"Mrs. Pappas, you've had your property
  long enough. It's time to give it up!"
© Copyright Las Vegas Tribune
 December 8,1999
 By Steve Miller
Steve Wynn was a staunch opponent of the Snow project. In 1991, Wynn successfully convinced the City Council that, because the block was not "blighted," the Council should not condemn the property and turn it over to his rival Mr. Snow.

Pappas property settlement expected soon
 COLUMN: Steve Miller
July 12, 2000
© Copyright Las Vegas Tribune, Inc.
"Our common enemy isn't any of us in the gaming industry, our enemy is the pleasure police." — Jan Jones, July 6, 2000.  When the former Las Vegas mayor made the above statement at the Urban Chamber of Commerce's gaming town meeting at the MGM Grand last Thursday night, she was not referring to her "pleasure police" who stole sixty-five year old Greek immigrant Carol Pappas' land at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Carson Street to be given to the Fremont Street casinos for their private parking garage.
 

It Pays to be a Las Vegas City Councilman!
Councilman Mike McDonald proves he can really stretch a buck
Las Vegas Tribune
FRONT PAGE
November 2, 1999
By Steve Miller
This past spring, McDonald made two major changes in his lifestyle; he quit his job as a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officer, and he moved into a lavish 2,300 square foot bachelor pad at 9016 Opus Drive on the opulent Canyon Gate Country Club.
Mike's new leased digs are evaluated by the County Assessor at $328,480.00! The villa is loaned to the councilman rent-free by Bobette Tegano, the mother in law of Joey Cusamano. Mr. Cusamano, who is listed in Nevada's Black Book of "undesirables" banned from casinos, is an associate of Rick Rizzolo, the owner of the Crazy Horse Too topless club.

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