Just call him "Lonesome Guv."
It's not a cowboy novel by Larry McMurtry. It's cowboy Gov. Jim Gibbons.
Gibbons told Reno television station KOLO-TV in an interview that aired Wednesday that he doesn't want to be a "lonely governor" and plans to date now that he's divorcing first lady Dawn Gibbons. For weeks, he's been suspected in the press of jumping the gun.
The Lonesome Guv said he has women friends, but no girlfriend.
Gibbons said, "At my age, 63, I want to find a friend, someone that I can come home and talk to, somebody that I can share the experience of the day, and I can help them and together we can be just like you, just like anyone else, happy. It's all about being happy."
Fuzzy feelings aside, it's obvious Gibbons is accepting the advice of his new inner circle as his divorce case threatens to return to the media's front burner. It's no secret some of his allies implored him weeks ago to be more upfront about his personal life.
Playing the Lonesome Guv is the smartest move he's made in weeks.
Gibbons also gave a broad-ranging interview with KVBC-TV, Channel 3 in Las Vegas. In a story aired Thursday, Gibbons told news anchor Kendall Tenney he enjoyed recently hanging out at the Venetian's Tao nightclub.
Gibbons said: "Isn't it great ... that the governor can go to one of the more successful places in the city of Las Vegas, a city known for entertainment, and enjoy the same thing that you or anyone else can do? I realize I'm governor and I have to be cautious and careful."
Yeah, you wouldn't want to become an embarrassment while in office.
I'm guessing 63-year-old men land slightly outside Tao's marketing demographic. But boogie on, Lonesome Guv, boogie on.
HALVERSON'S HEADACHE: Between her suspension from court, allegations of incompetence, and an ongoing battle with the state Judicial Discipline Commission that resulted in a 14-count complaint, and a suspension from the District Court bench that was upheld by the state Supreme Court, it's probably not surprising that Department 23 District Judge Elizabeth Halverson isn't polling well.
Political survey specialist and local attorney Marvin Longabaugh of Magellan Research went into the field recently and, with a margin of error of 5 percentage points, found little hope for Halverson's future on the bench.
Just 8.2 percent of registered voters surveyed had a positive opinion of the judge.
Meanwhile, 35.9 percent of those polled had a positive opinion of Family Court Judge Stefany Miley, who is challenging Halverson. Another contender, 30-year legal veteran Jason Landess, garnered 29.4 percent.
Halverson is toast.
While Longabaugh says the numbers speak for themselves, he added, "In the extreme cases, voters appear to pay attention and get it right."
BIG MACK ATTACK: At least Luther Mack won't get one of those late-night cravings for a Quarter Pounder with a hacksaw in it. Although the popular McDonald's franchise owner and Northern Nevada political insider wasn't charged with a crime during the immigration investigation of his restaurants, U.S. Attorney Gregory Brower's office announced Thursday it was taking a $1 million bite out of his company.
A current and a former employee of Mack Associates weren't as fortunate as the boss. They pleaded guilty to single felony counts related to inducing illegal immigrants to remain in the United States, in this case to work under the golden arches at one of the 11 McDonald's owned by Mack. In all, 58 illegals were arrested at Mack's burger joints.
Mack, perhaps best known as a member of the Nevada Athletic Commission, serves on numerous public and private boards. He also serves on the magistrate selection panel for the U.S. District Court in Nevada.
Mack is so well liked that U.S. District Judge Larry Hicks recused himself from the case due to their friendship, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported.
ON THE BOULEVARD: The return of the meet at Del Mar marks the annual sojourn of Las Vegans to one of America's great thoroughbred tracks. MGM Mirage Chairman and thoroughbred owner Terry Lanni has been a member of Del Mar's board of directors since 2001. ... Speaking of horse races, you have until Tuesday to register to vote if you want to cast a ballot in time for the Aug. 12 primary.
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