Clark returned to Henderson council

Rachael Levy

Wednesday, June 4, 1997 | 10:33 a.m.

Newly re-elected Henderson City Councilman Jack Clark said his top priority is to build an emergency resource center for senior citizens.

Clark narrowly defeated fellow Metro Police Detective David Kal-las, squeezing by with 51 percent of the vote Tuesday. The race degenerated into personal attacks because the two were so similar on issues. (They agreed: More police, slower growth and no neighborhood casinos.)

But with the win, Clark switched gears.

"It's not political, but personal," Clark said. "My No. 1 priority is (to ensure) every senior citizen has enough food to eat, has a nice place to live."

Clark, a 38-year-old Metro patrol officer, renewed his commitment to expand the police force and work for the deconsolidation of the Clark County School District.

But without clear differences, the two turned on each other and hardball politics were played.

Kallas posted fliers and mailed campaign literature attacking Clark's honesty. The material included real headlines from local media and fictitious ones.

Clark was accused of encouraging a small newspaper, the Las Vegas Chronicle, to print an article that claimed his opponent falsified police documents and sought protection money from prostitutes in the mid-1980s.

A reprint of the newspaper was mailed to about 9,000 voters' homes Friday and Saturday, said Kallas.

Kallas said the good showing he made at the polls, despite being a political novice, should send a clear message to Clark.

"I hope the incumbent learned there are a lot of people unhappy with his job performance and I hope he gives them the type of government the people in Henderson deserve," Kallas said.

"But if things stay the same, four years from now I'll be back."

Watchful eye or not, Clark has big plans for the next four years.

"My opponent ran a very tough race, a very good race," he said. "But this was the mandate of the people."

Clark said he wants to double the size of the Henderson Police Department, a promise he first made in 1993. (During his first term, Clark succeeded in expanding the force by 60 percent.)

He said he would protect public safety through the construction of a police substation in Green Valley and by requiring developers to adhere to design standards that reduce the risk of crime.

Clark also wants to ensure the quality of children's educations by supplementing their school education with the creation of a regional science center, which would offer hands-on learning.

As an at-large city councilman, Clark will earn $22,700 annually.