Changes to golf course tee off some LV Country Club members

A glimpse over the back fence at the Las Vegas Country Club reveals it's anything but a happy family these days as longtime members litigate with the current board of directors over millions of dollars in changes to its famous golf course.

Former LVCC president and attorney Paul Schofield is suing the board on behalf of fellow former board member Bruce Ashworth and other members, whose memberships have been suspended after they refused to continue to pay for golf privileges they weren't receiving.

In a letter to members dated Aug. 28, current LVCC President Donald D. Pitchford argues the suspended members simply refused to pay their "financial obligations to which we all agreed. In August, the balance owed by all of the suspended members was over $500,000."

Pitchford estimated each member would need to pay approximately $900 to make up the difference.

Meanwhile, members I've spoken with express dissatisfaction with the time and increasing expense involved in making the golf course improvements. Others said they were anxious to dump their memberships.

FUNNY BUSINESS: It appears Clark County Business License Director Jacqueline Holloway lost her cool Wednesday and confronted former employee and local business consultant Nathan Taylor.

Although Holloway denied being the aggressor in the argument at the Business License office inside the Clark County Government Center, security officer Brian Kaatz's report tells a different story.

Taylor is an unabashed critic of Holloway and other Business License employees, whom he's accused of favoritism and worse.

According to his statement, Kaatz was asked by Security Supervisor W.F. Bowers to accompany Taylor to the third floor for the purposes of conducting his business. As they entered the Business License Department, "We were confronted by Director of Business License Jacqueline Holloway, who was coming in the doorway. I told her that I was on escort duty and pointed to Nathan she then stated his (Temporary Protective Order) is not valid and I could leave (and) was not needed. Then Jacqueline became the aggressor and escalated this confrontation between both of them. Nathan remained calm, tried to back down from confrontation. I then told her I was not here for a TPO from her but against her employee Dan Hoffman. She said it was fine as she was leaving told Nathan. Do what you need to do and get out of my office."

Taylor had his share of dust-ups as a Republican Party operative and political consultant. He also accused Hoffman of being unprofessional and vindictive.

In her statement, Holloway disputed the security officer's version. She wrote in part that Taylor "turned to put his belongings on the Business License counter and aggressively stepped towards me as if to get physical. He began pointing his finger and leaning towards me in a threatening manner. I did not move and indicated that he could go do what he needed to do. ... No assault in any form occurred."

Is there a surveillance tape of the event?

HEALTH FORUM: Sorting through the propaganda and politics of the national health care debate is challenging. In an effort to clarify the issues, the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network is set to host a Community Forum on Health Care Reform at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Henderson Convention Center. (For free tickets: www.acscan.org/nevadaforum)

THE COVER-UP: Quick, check your closet. If you have an extra new or "gently used" coat, sweater, or sweatshirt, you're just the person Harriet Bernard and the "Coats for Kids" outfit is looking for.

"Coats for Kids" celebrates its 10th anniversary with a month-long drive that starts Oct. 5 at 34 Albertson's stores.

Adult clothing is also accepted and will be distributed by the Salvation Army.

CHARITY TROT: There's still time to get your motor running and head out on the highway to Sunday's 5th annual Las Vegas Ride for Kids to benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

Registration starts at 8 a.m. at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway with the motorcycle ride commencing at 10 a.m. (www.lvrideforkids.org)

THOR'S TRULY: Forget Conan the Barbarian. Meet "Thor at the Bus Stop," the funny film by local boys Mike and Jerry Thompson currently showing at Brenden Theatres inside the Palms.

ON THE BOULEVARD: The Boulevard notes the passing of the Flaubert of favorable food reviews, Elliot Krane. ... Sources say taxi-topless joint payouts are again as high as $80 per customer.

Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? E-mail comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0295. He also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/smith.