Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

Bio

A call to action

Posted on May 1, 2008 by David McKee

Remember that editorial about construction safety (or the obvious lack thereof) that I said the Las Vegas Sun ought to be writing — as opposed to printing a jeremiad about the Miley Cyrus photo flap? Well, it’s been written … … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, International, The Strip | Comments Off

Stumped by a reader

Posted on April 29, 2008 by David McKee

For those of you who don't click on the "Comments" link, my last update on the casino freeze in Macao prompted a response that left me, momentarily, at a loss for an answer (other than "I'd hate to pass up … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Macau | Comments Off

Safety scandals still fester

Posted on April 25, 2008 by David McKee

No harm, no foul. That's more or less the company line coming out of One Harrah's Court, after Clark County reluctantly released a document detailing 34 fly-by-night remodeling jobs during the 2000-07 period. But following procedures codified in law apparently … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Politics, The Strip | Comments Off

Did he or didn't he?

Posted on April 22, 2008 by David McKee

While I'm somewhat skeptical of the claims of Richard Suen, vis-a-vis his relationship with Las Vegas Sands, if he wins his lawsuit in Clark County District Court, he'll probably have Sands executives to thank for it. They've been tripping over … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, The Strip | Comments Off

‘Luxoricana’?; When unions attack (each other)

Posted on April 22, 2008 by David McKee

Labor unions aren’t very popular these days but sometimes even the mere threat of one is enough to effect improvements. Such seems to be the case at Luxor, where the International Union of Security, Police & Fire Professionals of America … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, Kentucky, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off

A reader's suggestion

Posted on April 21, 2008 by David McKee

… and, no, it isn’t that I perform anatomical impossibilities on myself. Rather, one of LVA‘s faithful “Question of the Day” readers suggests we run a poll or forum topic (or maybe both) on niggling little subtractions from Vegas casino … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, The Strip | Comments Off

A good question

Posted on April 17, 2008 by David McKee

Math was always my worst subject, so it’s a good thing I’ve got sharp-eyed readers who keep me honest. One of them asks how MGM Mirage is going to save $75 million (later restated by the company as $200 million) … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Taxes, Wall Street | Comments Off

MGM Mirage: What's it all about?

Posted on April 16, 2008 by David McKee

By now it’s old news that MGM Mirage took a paring knife to its personnel roster and gave 440 staffers the sack on Monday. Admittedly, saving $75 million seems like trimming a fingernail off a company whose 2007 profit was … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, Indiana, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off

Nine down, 153 to go

Posted on April 11, 2008 by David McKee

Our blogging software just ate a lengthy post on the smoking controversy in Atlantic City. And a follow-up effort. Which is technology's way of saying, "Fuck it; it's Friday and I'm outta here!" In other news, Bill Clinton still can't … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Baseball | Comments Off

Columbia Sussex evicted (sorta)

Posted on April 11, 2008 by David McKee

In what has been described as an “abrupt” end to the Columbia Sussex/Park Cattle Co. lawsuit, playing out up in Douglas County, Nev., the former has paid out $40 million of an eventual $165 million and given Park Cattle the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, The Strip | Comments Off

Double whammy in Atlantic City

Posted on April 10, 2008 by David McKee

Casinos made a bad bet in Atlantic City. They wagered that the City Council didn’t have the resolve to ban smoking altogether (except in what promise to be hellish little cells). So they dragged their feet when it came to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Harrah's, James Packer, Macau, Stanley Ho | Comments Off

Now it's Morgans' turn

Posted on April 10, 2008 by David McKee

Add Echelon to the list of Strip projects across whose future a shadow has fallen. No, the problem isn’t with Boyd Gaming. They’re right on track. According to this Reuters story, it’s Morgans Hotel Group‘s participation that’s not shaping up … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Politics, The Strip, TV | Comments Off

Golden Gate update

Posted on April 9, 2008 by David McKee

Per a previous item about the Golden Gate‘s plan to remake itself as a boutique hotel, I wondered about the status of its Culinary Union contract. Not to worry: According to the union’s political director, Pilar Weiss, the two parties … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Labor, Tamares Group | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 7, 2008 by David McKee

“Corporate thinking is to squeeze every penny, paying attention only to today’s bottom line and ignoring the negative effect that impersonal and greedy service has on future revenues. But is this not the style of business that has forced the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, Marketing | Comments Off

High spirits in Evansville

Posted on April 7, 2008 by David McKee

The acquisition, by Reno's own Eldorado Resorts, of the Casino Aztar riverboat, is playing to the expected hosannas. Interestingly, while 21% of the workforce was pink-slipped by outgoing owner Columbia Sussex, that seems to be the least of players' concerns. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, Indiana, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off

The Westin scandal …

Posted on April 4, 2008 by David McKee

… is growing legs. No, not these kind of legs. (Well, that too.) It’s also unearthed another strange-but-true story of business as usual at Columbia Sussex. That $25/bedbug bounty at the Trop is unwontedly generous by ColSux standards — a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, Downtown, Harrah's, International, Labor, Politics, The Strip, TV | Comments Off

Headline of the Day

Posted on April 3, 2008 by David McKee

"New Jersey to casino: Trop dead" — from AFX Financial News

Posted in Columbia Sussex | Comments Off

Hooters sagging

Posted on April 3, 2008 by David McKee

Yes, they’re drooping again at the mammary-themed hotel — revenues, that is. The recession continues to hit the bargain-niche properties first and hardest. The interesting info is buried toward the end, as potential buyer Richard Bosworth (who’s already put $3 … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Charity, Downtown, Pinnacle Entertainment, The Strip | Comments Off

Monte Carlo: What the f…?

Posted on April 2, 2008 by David McKee

You know those fellows who set the Monte Carlo on fire? Well, it seems they were working under a window-washing permit. I kid you not. Tony Illia ran down this gem, which adds to the tragi-comedy of how Union Erectors … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, MGM Mirage, Monte Carlo fire, The Strip | Comments Off

Columbia Sussex sinks to new low

Posted on April 2, 2008 by David McKee

Let’s say you’re Columbia Sussex, owner of the Westin Casuarina and notorious for your pinch-penny ways. What do you do if a convention organizer can’t pay up on its $50,000 tab? Why simply — and sneakily — bill it to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Columbia Sussex, Indiana, Louisiana, LVCVA, Regulation | Comments Off