A LOCAL ARCHAEOLOGIST will have a hand in helping shape the city's historic preservation efforts. Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman's recommendation to appoint Gregory R. Seymour to the Historic Preservation Commission was approved at last week's council meeting.

"The Historic Preservation Commission wished to add archaeological expertise to the board and Greg Seymour's credentials fit the bill perfectly," Mayor Goodman said. "Mr. Seymour's experience and knowledge will be a valuable contribution to the commission when considering the city's archaeological and historic resources."

Seymour is the principal investigator and co-branch manager for the Las Vegas office of Far Western Anthropological Research Group, Inc. and has more than 25 years of archaeological experience in the Great Basin and Southwest regions of the United States. He received his master's degree in Anthropology from UNLV with an emphasis in the prehistoric ceramics of southern Nevada.

During the last few years, Seymour has completed numerous historic preservation projects restoring or stabilizing Civilian Conservation Corps and Ranching period structures in Nevada and Arizona and Mexican Period adobes in California. Archaeological projects directed by Seymour include large inventories and data recoveries in several western states.

Previously, Seymour was the research manager/archaeologist at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve for nine years and was a member of the interdisciplinary team that provided the initial planning and implementation of its mission, research orientation, planning and preconstruction.

The Historic Preservation Commission, a city board made up of community members who make recommendations to the Las Vegas City Council, is responsible for hearing and recommending approval for designation of historic landmarks, properties and districts to the city's register; and overseeing alterations, new construction and demolition of designated properties or properties within the locally designated district. The members are appointed by the City Council. The board is staffed by the city of Las Vegas Planning & Development Department.