Christensen, Bingham say tearful goodbye

Jeff Schweers

Wednesday, Dec. 18, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

The big guys have left the building.

Commissioners Jay Bingham and Paul Christensen said good bye to the people they'd worked with for more than a decade in office, marking their last official commission meeting Tuesday with a teary farewell.

The occasion also showed the difference in style and temperament of the two men, who started working on the County Commission at the same time 12 years ago after stints in city government.

"We are losing two extremely dedicated public servants with different styles, but equally big shoes to fill," Commissioner Lorraine Hunt said.

The two also are leaving the $54,000-a-year job under different circumstances -- Bingham decided not to seek a fourth term to his District B seat, while Christensen was defeated by Republican Lance Malone for the District C seat.

Bingham delivered an eloquent and off-the-cuff speech that got emotional at times and ended with his four daughters singing, "Together Forever Someday," by Michael McLean.

"This song says what my heart feels," Bingham said.

After the song, Bingham, a devout Mormon and president of Falcon Homes, said, "A prophet in our church once said no amount of success in the world can compensate for failure in the home, and that's why I'm not running. I want to spend some time with them."

Bingham has spent most of his adult life in public office, first winning election to the North Las Vegas City Council at 26. He is now 42.

Bingham said he lost the fire in his belly for public service, blaming his decision to quit on the long hours, political infighting and public bickering.

He choked up at times as he thanked County Manager Pat Shalmy, his fellow commissioners, and county staff, especially his secretary, Esther Fine.

"She's my real boss," Bingham said, explaining that when he announced last year he wouldn't seek a fourth term, she kept him working. Bingham also thanked his wife and family for their support.

Bingham also recalled the advice of former commissioner Manny Cortez, now executive director of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

"He said you're going to do things that you don't necessarily agree with, but have to vote on because you know they're good for the community," Bingham said.

Christensen cried at times during Bingham's speech and his daughters' singing, then briefly echoed Bingham's remarks.

"I say ditto to all Jay has to say to the staff, he says it better than I ever do," said Christensen, head of his family-run jewelry business. "Jay is the bishop, the speaker and the preacher. I'm the doer, down in the trenches."

In characteristic fashion, Christensen ended with a punchline.

"To say I'm not going to miss it would be a lie, but I'm not going anywhere either," Christensen said. "I'm going to be bugging you. I may become one of the public comment section, with my headset on listening to talk radio."

Christensen and the County Commission were sued by Richard Bell, once a regular critic during public-comment periods at County Commission meetings. Bell claimed Christensen shoved him while he was taping the commissioner with a video camera. The public-comment period is usually monopolized by a handful of independent critics of county government, who often cite talk radio as their source of information. Christensen would often take on the critics, sometimes beginning with, "You and your talk-radio buddies ..."

"As the person who has spent the longest time with each of these two individuals, it was a joy to serve with Jay and Paul," Commissioner Bruce Woodbury said. "They both have a great sense of humor and can find the bright side in any topic."