Lot of rhetoric but low turnout expect in Tuesday’s elections

Monday, May 5, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

A 24 percent voter turnout is expected in Las Vegas, where the jobs of two city councilmen will be on the line.

The most high-profile race is that of councilman Matt Callister and challenger Larry Brown, an official of the Las Vegas Valley Water District.

Callister was fined $6,000 last week for failing to disclose $10,000 in contributions from the Howard Hughes Corporation after he supported the company's Summerlin West project.

The secretary of state's office has cleared Brown of charges that he exceeded donation limits by accepting free billboard space.

Brown, a Harvard-educated one-time pitcher for the Las Vegas Stars, has questioned Callister's integrity.

Callister, a lawyer and former state legislator, has accused Brown of behaving in an "asinine and juvenile way" during the campaign.

A third candidate, Republican Party activist David Hough, has remained out of the fray.

Also facing the voters is councilman Arnie Adamsen. He faces Sue Brna, former director of the Charleston Heights Neighborhood Association; Chuck Umnuss, a retired foreign service officer, and Richard Lenz, operator of the Huntridge Performing Arts Center.

In North Las Vegas, Gary Davis, is trying to win back the judgeship he lost when stripped of the job over ethical violations. He is running against attorney Natalie Tyrrell, police detective Warren Van Landschoot, and warrant officer Steven Szostek.

Three candidates - councilman Theron Goynes, real estate appraiser Mike Montandon and businesswoman Cassaundra Williams - are running for the job of North Las Vegas mayor.

A total of 15 candidates are vying for three North Las Vegas city council seats.

The mayor's office, a city council seat and municipal judgeship are up for grabs in Henderson, along with a $54.6 million bond issue to create parks and recreational facilities.

Council races are also on the ballot in Boulder City and Mesquite.

In most races, a candidate winning more than 50 percent of the vote is automatically elected. Otherwise, the top two vote-getters advance to the June 3 general election.

The voter turnout is expected to be about 25 percent in North Las Vegas, the low 20s in Henderson, and 50 percent in Boulder City and Mesquite.