Las Vegas Weekly

August 3, 2009 · 3:21 PM

Monday List: A quote barrage from Oscar Goodman

By John Katsilometes

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman holds up an oversized gin martini because he can.

Photo: Steve Marcus

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman turned 70 on July 26 and celebrated the event Friday night on Fremont Street during a variety show starring Wayne Brady, Zowie Bowie, Nathan Burton and the women from “Fantasy” at Luxor. Something for everyone, I guess. I realize that last week, we went with a list about Goodman -- the veritable swizzle stick that stirs the Bombay Sapphire martini -- pulling highlights from his give-and-take with Sunset Thomas. But you only turn 70 once, and we’ve plucked the Top 7 Favorite Oscar Goodman Quotes from our soon-to-be-termed-out mayor. The list marks one for each decade:

7. “A showgirl and a bottle of Bombay Sapphire Gin.” – Response to a fourth-grader at Jo Mackey Elementary School who asked what Goodman would bring with him if he were ever stranded on a desert island.

6. “I'm technically in charge of a city of about 600,000, but all 1.8 million people in the valley here think I'm their mayor. I do nothing to dissuade them. When I pick up the phone, I just say, ‘It's the mayor.’ – Referring to his self-appointed position as mayor of the Las Vegas Valley during an interview with FHM magazine.

5. “I'm looking for the other 14 (percent) so I can have them whacked.” – Response to a poll that gave him an 86 percent approval rating, and his opinion of the 14 percent who did not approve of his job performance.

4. “I’d take one Betty over 100 showgirls any day,” -- Referring to Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign designer Betty Willis during an art exhibit of Las Vegas signs at S2 Art Center.

3. “It's where I took all of my best mobster clients.” – Referring to the old La Concha hotel during a charity event raising money for the transport of the lobby to the Neon Boneyard.

2. “In the old days in France, they had beheading of people who commit heinous crimes. You know, we have a beautiful highway landscaping redevelopment in our downtown. We have desert tortoises and beautiful paintings of flora and fauna. These punks come along and deface it. I'm saying maybe you put them on TV and cut off a thumb. … That may be the right thing to do.” – During an appearance on the Reno-based “Nevada Newsmakers” issues-and-affairs show.

1. “When I ran for mayor, I was told, ‘Take off your pinstripes and roll up your sleeves and wear khakis,’ things like that. But that’s not me. I knock on doors, and little old ladies up in Summerlin say, ‘Hey, it’s the mafia lawyer! Come on in and have some cookies and milk!’ I love it!” – On why he will not change his image.

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