Where’s the fire? Rory being pursued firefighters union

If Clark County Firefighters aren’t yet under Rory Reid’s skin, it’s not for a lack of trying.

First there was the bruising “Rory Reid’s Threat” commercial that blasted the Clark County Commissioner and Democratic gubernatorial candidate for his efforts to close a heavy rescue fire engine unit in a budget-cutting decision.

Now the county firefighters union has leased a mobile billboard draped in the “Rory Reid’s Threat” theme. The truck and trailer circled the Clark County Government Center Tuesday while Reid was attending a commission meeting. I hear that at one point security asked the driver of the billboard to keep moving if he didn’t have business with the county.

Does monkey business count?

Earlier in the week, the sign was positioned near a Reid fundraiser at Panorama Court.

Although I’m told the firefighters union hasn’t interviewed or endorsed in the governor’s race, it’s hard to imagine Reid will be receiving their embrace.

If that’s the case, I’d anticipate someone in Reid’s inner circle telling him to use this to his best advantage.

Will Rory Reid, at last, start returning fire?

Or will cooler heads prevail?

Inside the firefighters union, members opened their own wallets to help fund the Reid criticism, I’m told. Most of their ire stems from statements Reid made about the union in the local media. The rank-and-file members believe Reid “used them as a (political) punching bag,” says one insider.

But one source also noted that Reid’s apparent lack of support for privatizing the fire services at McCarran International Airport was taken as a possible sign of a positive change in the relationship between the candidate and the firefighters. Obviously, the relationship is still a work in progress.

“I have an obligation to balance my budget,” Reid said. “I’m proud of the fact we’ve balanced the county budget in good times and bad. I’ve been dogged about it, and I won’t be bullied. Nobody’s going to intimidate me. If they think they’re going to get me to change my mind by following me around, they’re mistaken. I’m not going to hold my finger to the political winds. I’m going to leave Clark County on firm financial ground, and I’ll do that whatever the consequences are to my political career.

“What they’re saying is not true. … Their allegations are false. … When the facts come out, they will prove the rightness of my cause.”