Gubernatorial opponent challenges mayor’s claims

Friday, July 31, 1998 | 11:27 a.m.

That's what Nevada state Sen. Joe Neal says about new campaign commercials by his gubernatorial opponent, Las Vegas Mayor Jan Jones.

In new commercials pitching her run for the governor's mansion, Jones appears to take credit for 200,000 new jobs in the Las Vegas area. And she takes credit for putting 550 more police on the street.

"We are of the opinion (it is) somewhat slick and could very well mislead the public," Neal said of the ad.

"I stand by everything we said," responded Jones.

The ad was created by the nationally known Democratic firm of Greer, Margolis, Mitchell, Burns and Associates.

Jones is spending about $200,000 to air the spot statewide for 10 days.

Jones and Neal are vying for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in the Sept. 1 primary.

"As mayor she worked to diversify the economy - 200,000 new jobs," the announcer proclaims.

"She stood up for working families, cutting property taxes 9 percent," it continues. "Jan Jones helped put 550 more police on the streets."

Neal said the city council voted to lower property taxes because of voter outrage over the disparity between city and county property taxes. County voters paid a lower rate.

Jones said she deserved credit for the extra police because the city budget helps fund the countywide Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, and because she campaigned for a 1996 police bond issue.

Neal challenged the claim of generating 200,000 new jobs, but Jones defended the figure.

"I didn't say I brought in every one of them, but I was a strong voice for economic diversity in the Legislature and in the Nevada Development Authority. Whenever a business was coming in, they call me and ask me to meet with them," Jones said.

Her campaign manager, Denise Rawles, said the figure is derived from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Statistical Area Industrial Employment Summary.

That area covers Clark County, Nye County and Mohave County, Ariz. Jones has been mayor of the city of Las Vegas since 1991.