Race for Las Vegas constable wide open

Thursday, Aug. 27, 1998 | 11:41 a.m.

Outgoing Las Vegas Township Constable Bob Nolen has thrown his support behind Chief Deputy Constable Doug Tharp in the Democratic primary.

One of Nolen's critics, Deputy Constable Michael Counterman, is seeking the nod in the Republican primary.

If voters want to clean house altogether, they have a choice of seven other Democrats and four other Republicans, several with strong law enforcement backgrounds.

The winners from each race will square off in November.

Nolen, who has been criticized for having office morale problems under his leadership, said concerns over his wife's health problems was his main reason for not seeking re-election. Still he has been active in Tharp's effort to succeed him.

"Over the past 30 months Doug has proven his leadership and management abilities time and time again," Nolen, a former Las Vegas city councilman, says in campaign literature.

"Doug was extremely instrumental in assisting me with the policies and procedures that have allowed my administration to return ... more than $500,000 in net profit over the last five years."

But a look at Counterman's campaign literature shows he insists that changes are necessary. Counterman says he is "dedicated to restoring the constable's office to its most effective level by using professional people and returning standards set by the Nevada Revised Statutes."

The constable's job is to serve and execute court documents -- bench warrants, summons, subpoenas, etc. -- and oversee evictions. The salary is $72,000 a year.

Tharp, 59, says he has "motivated the constable's office to achieve a higher level of commitment and professionalism." He says he has personally served 11,000 of the 76,000 documents the constable's office has received in the past two years.

Counterman, 50, who has a bachelor's degree in social science from Colorado State University, also has served as a district court bailiff and as an investigator in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

Here is a look at the other candidates listed alphabetically and by party:

BOBBY GRONAUER, 51, Democrat. A Metro Police patrol sergeant with 29 years in law enforcement, he was named one of the top 10 police officers in 1989 by Parade Magazine. As a Marine squad leader in Vietnam, Gronauer earned a bronze star for valor. He vows to utilize an Internet website to more efficiently download information and forms and hire a bilingual staff of deputies. Gronauer has been endorsed by the Police Protective Association, the Police Protective Association Civilian Employees, and the Nevada Conference of Police and Sheriffs.

JOE KACHULIS, age not available, Democrat. Vows in campaign literature to appoint a bilingual staff for better communication.

LARRY KEPLER, 54, Democrat. A retired Marine, he has a bachelor's degree in psychology. He has twice run for sheriff (1990 and '94) and sought the offices of U.S. senator and Clark County treasurer, but was not elected. A Vietnam veteran, Kepler vows to "bring Marine Corps standards to constable employees." He is a 32-year Las Vegas resident.

JOHN McGARRY, 66, Democrat. A retired Chicago police detective with 30 years experience in law enforcement, he has degrees in business administration and education. McGarry ran unsuccessfully for constable in 1996. After retiring from the police force in 1986, he worked as a substitute teacher. He says he has good communication and people skills which "is essential to this job."

SIDNEY RUDICH, 58, Democrat. A real estate broker, he is a 22-year Las Vegas resident with 40 years business experience. Rudich vows to bring "compassion and efficiency" to the office and provide "special help" for single mothers and their children who are being evicted.

SCOTT SCARBOROUGH, Democrat.

MICHAEL VERRILLI, 55, Democrat. A retired Clark County firefighter, he has 24 years of public safety experience. He also has worked in property management and sales. Verrilli ran unsuccessfully for the state senate in 1985. As a firefighter, he attained the rank of captain and served as a paramedic and an administrator. He was twice appointed by the governor to the state Industrial Relations Board. He is a 32-year local resident.

LEWIS BYER, Republican.

DAN MANSFIELD, 45, Republican. A former firefighter and small business owner, Mansfield has experience as a deputy constable in both Laughlin and Henderson. He also was a process server in the district attorney's office. A local resident since 1984, Mansfield vows to hire only certified deputies and encourage office involvement within the community.

JOHN ROBINSON, 69, Republican. A retired U.S. Marshal, he has 40 years experience in law enforcement and government service. Robinson has a bachelor's degree in criminology. He has served as a foreign service police adviser and a parole and probation officer. He vows to raise morale and "return public confidence by utilizing full-time commitment and extensive leadership."

TOM SAVAGE, 60, Republican. An Air Force Vietnam veteran, he served from 1993-96 as chief of federal police at Fort Ord, Calif. He is a past president of the Eastern Shore of Maryland Police Association. Savage cites the several management positions he has held in law enforcement the past 20 years as a good qualification for this post.