Law: Where Gibbons calls home crucial

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.

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.