Reporter’s Notebook

NORTH LAS VEGAS MAYOR-ELECT SHARI BUCK received an unexpected -- and slightly creepy -- congratulations on her successful campaign at Wednesday night's City Council meeting.

A mustached older gentleman stepped to the microphone during public comment to offer Buck his well-wishes.

"I'd like to congratulate the lady up there for getting elected," he said. "Because she's a lady ... and I'm in the lady business."

LYNNETTE CURTIS

THINK LITTLE GOT DONE during the 2009 legislative session? Think again.

Bonanza High School Principal Bart Mangino improved his ability to send text messages as he worked part-time as a lobbyist for the Clark County School District.

"On a personal note, I'm now able to type 30 words a minute," Mangino told the School Board this week.

JAMES HAUG

CLARK COUNTY COMMISSIONER TOM COLLINS is not known for mincing words. But he was particularly blunt when speaking to Pam Weckerly, president of the local prosecutors' union.

The county can reduce pay raises without the union's say-so because there's no labor contract, Collins told Weckerly.

"If you don't have a collective bargaining agreement with the county, then you stand to be screwed," Collins said.

SCOTT WYLAND

AS A VALEDICTORIAN FOR THE BOULDER CITY HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2009, Austin Chiyoaki Samara spoke of his aspirations but added a growl to show his true emotion.

"I'm a torn man inside so I think I would be a good writer," he said. "Grrr!"

JAMES HAUG

DURING A HEARING IN DISTRICT COURT, attorney Frank Cremen explained that his daughter ran up some very high phone bills for him when she left for college. Cremen said his daughter spent the equivalent of two days on the phone. And the bills reflected that.

He was trying to make the point that he understood cell phone records. His client at the time was accused of theft.

"It looks clearly that your daughter defrauded you," District Judge Donald Mosley joked.

DAVID KIHARA

AN ELECTION WORKER AT SUN CITY ALIANTE on Tuesday said voting had been "pretty brisk" in the community for folks 55 and older.

"It's pretty much have lunch, take a nap, then 'What should we do? Let's go vote!'"

LYNNETTE CURTIS

YOU READERS JUST CAN'T STAY MAD AT US, can you.

A recent story about water issues drew an anonymous letter scrawled serial-killer style in blood red ink.

Among the random and vitriolic suggestions were for the reporter to "wake up" and "tell the truth," for "Mr. Winn" to be evicted, and for California to be sold to China.

But perhaps not wanting to seem too mean, the letter writer also sent along something else: a coupon for $2 off gasoline at a local Shell station.

HENRY BREAN