Henderson city attorney to be chosen Nov. 29

The Henderson City Council on Tuesday will select its next city attorney during a special meeting that might draw more spectators than the council's fourth-floor boardroom could comfortably hold.

One of the two finalists for the position, which pays between $126,000 and $199,000 a year, is Josh Reid, the son of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., who reportedly plugged his youngest son for the job in a September telephone call to Mayor Andy Hafen, according to recent comments Hafen made to Review-Journal columnist Jane Ann Morrison.

Hafen in Morrison's column published Monday acknowledged receiving a call from the elder Reid, who reportedly told Hafen that Josh Reid most likely would be the most academically qualified of the candidates.

Hafen's daughter, Tessa, worked for the senator for eight years. He told Morrison he would disclose that connection before voting.

Eight people sent formal letters to the city regarding the perception Reid was a shoo-in for the position. None of them supports his hiring.

The other finalist is interim City Attorney Christine Guerci-Nyhus, who has been filling in for Elizabeth Quillin, who lost her job in August after pleading guilty to misdemeanor drunken driving charges.

Nyhus has 21 years experience as an attorney; Reid has 10 years.

Phone calls to Josh Reid and Guerci-Nyhus were not returned.

The special meeting gets under way at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Henderson City Hall, 240 Water St.

Contact Doug McMurdo at dmcmurdo@reviewjournal .com or 702-224-5512.