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Apr. 29, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Law: Where Gibbons calls home crucial

By ED VOGEL
REVIEW-JOURNAL CAPITAL BUREAU

Jim Gibbons
Nevada's governor is having marital difficulties, affecting his place of residence

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Jim Gibbons could be breaking Nevada law by not living in the Governor's Mansion in Carson City, several sources close to state government said Monday.

Under state law, governors must "reside at the seat of government," which is in Carson City.

And the 1907 law that appropriated $40,000 to build the Governor's Mansion stipulates the building must be used "as the home of the state executive," meaning Gibbons -- not first lady Dawn Gibbons, who remains at the mansion.

Political consultant Jim Denton, a longtime friend of the Gibbonses, said Monday that he would not make any new comments on the first couple's marriage problems or living arrangements.

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    • On Friday, Denton said Gibbons has not been living in the mansion recently because of the marriage problems.

    "Currently he entertains and conducts needed state business at the mansion but is temporarily staying in the Reno residence while going through this difficult and painful time," he said.

    On Monday, Denton would say only that the governor has lived both in his private home in Reno and in the Governor's Mansion since he took office in January 2007.

    Several sources well-versed in state law who requested anonymity said Monday that Gibbons might be violating the law by not living in the mansion.

    Gibbons press secretary Ben Kieckhefer said that where Gibbons lives is a non-issue and that there is no clear definition of what it means to "reside" at a location.

    "This is a temporary situation," he said. "The governor has spent the majority of his nights since taking office in the Governor's Mansion and plans to do so in the future."

    Security measures have been installed at the mansion at taxpayer expense in recent years, and a detail of law enforcement officers provides around-the-clock protection.

    If the governor is not staying in the mansion, one source said, then Gibbons would be more at risk of an attack.

    State Archivist Guy Rocha said a law passed in 1867 required all state constitutional officers to live in Carson City.

    That law has been changed over the years, and now only the governor must reside at the seat of government.

    Rocha said John Sparks, the governor in 1903-08, lived most of the time in his Alamo Ranch, south of Reno. Reno is 30 miles north of Carson City.

    Sparks would take the Virginia & Truckee Railroad home after a day at work in his Capitol office.

    To resolve any difficulties with the law, Sparks rented a room in the Arlington House hotel in Carson City, Rocha said.

    "Some of the time, he might stay overnight, but most of the time he took the train to Reno and stayed at his residence," Rocha said. "He addressed the issue by renting the room."

    Gov. Richard Kirman (1935-39) also had a home in Reno.

    Rocha said the automobile was in wide use by Kirman's term, and roads between Carson City and Reno had been improved enough for the trip to take less than an hour and a half.

    "Because they had a house in Reno, they spent a lot of time there," he said. "Unofficially it became known as the 'Governor's Mansion.'"

    In recent decades, air transportation has improved enough to let Southern Nevada governors fly to their private homes in Las Vegas.

    Gov. Kenny Guinn (1999-2007) spent much of his time in his home in Las Vegas when the Legislature was not in session.

    Rocha said what it means to reside in a place is a "gray zone."

    To some, it might be staying overnight most of the time, while to others, it might mean staying there occasionally or eating a few meals there, he said.

    Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.



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    David Johann wrote on April 30, 2008 12:07 AM: Headline:

    "Law: Where Gibbons calls home crucial."

    Quite possibly, before too long, Gibbons might call a federal "country club" prison "home."

    Night, night, Jim. Don't let the bedbugs bite.


    Nose wrote on April 29, 2008 11:27 PM: They hadn't lived together for ten years before he was governor, so I don't see why this should be a surprise to anyone.

    Maybe Dawn just needed more room to house illegal aliens?


    Peter Harris wrote on April 29, 2008 10:09 PM: Does anyone really are what the skirt chasing Jim Gibbons lives? I think he needs to set up residence in Parump at the Chicken Ranch. Much more the style of this rethuglican scumbag.


    Wager wrote on April 29, 2008 08:14 PM: I bet Dawn is an illegal.


    darkhorse wrote on April 29, 2008 08:13 PM: What is the money line on Gibbons making it to the end of his term. I can only imagine what Dawn must be holding over his head. Do us all a favor Gibbons and come up with some medical issue or crisis and bow out. Your going to need all the time with your legal defense fund lawyers you can get.
    For the Governor and First Lady to show up at an event, like the one Friday night in Reno and not even acknowledge each other is a disgrace to the State of Nevada.
    Dawn is fleecing the Governor and the taxpayers of Nevada. ( No Gentlemen, No Lady)


    What's Happening wrote on April 29, 2008 07:25 PM: We are now paying for;
    1. Security at two residences;
    2. Governors big Dodge Durango to drive to and from Reno to the Capital every day;
    3. He moved out of the mansion at least as far back as January;

    4. Spokesman Kieckhefer says it is temporary (funny, Id on't read that word in the law). I guess if Kieckhefer got pulled over for DUI he would tell the cop "it's only temporary."

    Gibbons said that the state budget is like a family and when necessary we need to, as a family, tighten our belts. Well, it seems that in this tough economic time the first family is costing more than a little extra and have refused to "tighten their belts."

    I wonder, and it has to be asked given the federal investigation into the Trepp/Gibbons earmarks, is Dawn blackmailing the Governor?

    Also, last Friday (GOP statewide convention in Reno weekend), Dawn hosted a party at the mansion...is she using state property for political purposes in violation of NRS 281?


    Jim Nance wrote on April 29, 2008 07:19 PM: The article said the Guinn spend most of his nights at his home in Las Vegas.

    I guess he was breaking the law and nobody cared.


    still don.t get it wrote on April 29, 2008 06:20 PM: What makes this break-up any different than a lower classed couple who isn.t in the spotlight? So he is the governor does that make him a saint? NO Should Dawn be living in the mansion ?NO NO!The point is not divorce but the fact that Dawn should not be there!Maybe you can rent her a room!I LOVE N.V.P>S. Dawn is his wife in name only!


    toorg wrote on April 29, 2008 06:05 PM: must be another mormon with false morality!


    owg wrote on April 29, 2008 04:29 PM: News flash....he was elected by the people of our great state.
    Divorce is a big deal, take a minute and look at the big picture?
    Maybe you should be the one to move? Sounds like maybe you don't like it here? She is still his wife.


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