Assessor, recorder face several challengers

Adrienne Packer

Thursday, Aug. 27, 1998 | 11:11 a.m.

Clark County's assessor, recorder, treasurer and public administrator seats are all up for grabs this fall.

Incumbent assessor Mark Schofield and recorder Judith Vandever are both fighting to keep their positions.

Vandever, who has 19 years experience in the recorder's office, said she wants to continue to put an emphasis on customer service and technology. The Democrat faces four opponents:

* Carole Keefer, 57, said the organization of the recorder's office is too top heavy and, therefore, it lacks cost-effective, efficient management. Keefer, a Democrat, is a clinical social worker at Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services.

* Luke Perry, 50, said he would hold community meetings to educate the public about the recorder's duties. The Democratic candidate also hopes to reorganize the office so it is more efficient and eliminate any conflicts of interest to restore trust in county government.

* Michel "Micki" Johnson, 48, said she will focus on improving customer service and making the office fiscally responsible. Johnson, a Republican, also wants to restore morale and trust in the office. She is a businesswoman and graduated with a political science degree from Beaver College in Pennsylvania.

* Republican Richard Swift also is running for the recorder's office.

Four candidates are challenging incumbent Schofield for the assessor's office. Schofield, a 42-year-old Democrat, has been elected to the Clark County School Board three times. He plans to continue to provide a high quality of service and to have the must user-friendly, technologically advanced office in the country.

His challengers include the following candidates:

* Dan Parker, 53, plans to reduce property taxes by closing assessment loopholes. Parker, a Democrat and new in the political arena, is a real estate broker.

* Richard Roush, 51, says he will limit the use of outside help at the assessor's office and will have an open door policy with taxpayers. The Republican is a real estate appraiser.

* Robert Beardshall, 41, said he will treat taxpayers with honesty and respect and will always listen to constructive criticism. He will make sure properties are accurately and fairly appraised. The Republican is a commercial real estate appraiser.

* Dick Geyer, a Libertarian, also is running for county assessor.

Laura Fitzpatrick, who is trying to keep her position as county treasurer faces six opponents. The 44-year-old has held office since March, when she was appointed to fill an unexpired term.

Fitzpatrick is a certified public accountant whose goals include restoring trust in the office, serving taxpayers in an efficient, common-sense manner and making decisions in an open and object fashion.

Her opponents include the following candidates:

* George Ullom, 55, says he would like to maintain the office's independence and institute a management team approach to make the office more user-friendly. The Democrat is currently a deputy assessor. He said his knowledge of Clark County sets him apart from others.

* John Bonaventura, 36, said there is an unduly high level of risk with the county's new investment policy. The Democrat said he will bring an annual tax refund proposal to the County Commission and will lobby to have it adopted.

* Adella Logan, 35, has been an employee of the treasurer's office for 17 years. She has received customer service awards and has worked in every clerical function of the office. She believes there should be more than one person capable of taking care of customers during any given situation.

* Tom Hagan, 37, said he will take advantage of Clark County's website so citizens can see where their taxes are invested and spent. The Libertarian candidate is an electrical engineer with experience in project management and technology.

Also running for treasurer are Democrat Sarah McGinty and Republican Richard Bell.

Four Clark County residents are running for public administrator, a person responsible for taking care of estates of the deceased who have no other qualified person to manage it.

Democrat Jared Shafer has served as public administrator since 1980 and said his experience in areas ranging from the medical field to stocks, bonds and investments helps serve Clark County residents.

Republican Anne DiMartini is a real estate sales person and former assemblywoman vying for public administrator. DiMartini plans to change the format of the position to eliminate conflicts of interest and prevent abuses of power.

Also running for public administrator are Republicans Gina Reese and Les Wolfe.