F1 hires former Las Vegas city manager as grand prix chief operating officer
The Las Vegas Grand Prix has hired Betsy Fretwell, who served as Las Vegas city manager for eight years, as its new chief operating officer.
"We are excited to add an experienced professional like Betsy to our team," Las Vegas Grand Prix CEO Renee Wilm said in a statement. “She brings a wealth of leadership experience working in the public and private sectors and will be an immediate asset to our organization.”
Fretwell served as city manager from 2009 to 2017, overseeing 3,300 employees and a $1.3 billion annual budget.
Uneven asphalt road
The hiring of the former city manager could be part of a strategic response by F1 owner Liberty Media to harsh criticism of the grand prix from Las Vegas businesses, residents and tourists. Fretwell's responsibilities include overseeing the event's community relations, which are currently at a serious low.
The resulting nine months of road closures and construction delays devastated many small businesses and caused significant inconvenience to casino workers and visitors. But the multi-billion dollar casino company claimed the first game generated their highest ever weekend revenue.
Last week, Gino Ferraro, owner of Ferraro's Ristorante on Paradise Road, wrote a letter to the Clark County Commissioners, who approved the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix's annual trip to the Strip. The redesign, which lasted nine years, claimed he spent $2.5 million on the game. sales and $500,000 in profits.
We have heard from countless visitors that they will not return to Vegas this time of year," Ferraro wrote, adding: "Who benefits? A few hotels... How do we know what the return on investment is for all the money spent destroying the Las Vegas Strip, its surroundings, and ultimately people's lives? "
It is understood Liberty Media has not offered any form of compensation to companies, workers or visitors who have been negatively affected.
"I firmly believe that we need to rethink our strategy on how to receive visitors before and during matches," Ferraro continued. "We can't destroy this city in one weekend."
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Source: www.casino.org
