Opposites square off in race for District G seat

Adrienne Packer

Thursday, Oct. 22, 1998 | 12:30 p.m.

Dario Herrera, the son of Cuban immigrants, moved out on his own when he was 15 years old.

Milton Doyle grew up in a family of 14 on a tiny farm tucked in the lush green mountains of Tennessee.

Two vastly different environments. Two vastly different candidates.

The one thing Herrera and Doyle have in common is that they both want to represent District G on the County Commission, a seat left vacant by Lorraine Hunt, who opted to run for lieutenant governor.

At age 25, Herrera is already a polished politician. At age 49, Doyle has never before held, or ran for, a public office. Herrera speaks using Clinton-like hand gestures; Doyle's speech is accented with a Tennessee twang.

If an Oct. 2 televised debate between the two were a boxing match, Herrera would have won by TKO -- in the first round. But when the two are given the opportunity to speak off-camera, it's clear they both know the issues facing Clark County.

Herrera has been absorbed in politics since he moved away from home 10 years ago. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from UNLV with a bachelor's degree in political science. At 23, Herrera became the youngest Nevada assemblyman.

Earlier this year, he decided to give up his seat because he felt he could do more good for Southern Nevada as a county commissioner.

Herrera has focused his time on social programs, having served on the board of directors for the YMCA, the Boy Scouts of America, Aid for Aids and Shade Tree Shelter for battered women and children.

Although the Democratic candidate is heavily backed by the gaming industry, Herrera insists he never will be influenced.

"I will vote every time in the best interest of my constituents," Herrera said. "The voters will decide in four years whether I made prudent decisions on their behalf."

Herrera also said he will be more strict about non-conforming zone changes and the issuance of variances. The commission has been criticized for allowing zone changes that may not be compatible with surrounding property.

"I would adhere to the master plan strictly and matter-of-factly," Herrera said. "I would walk door-to-door in that area and only if residents are comfortable with the change would I pass it."

Herrera said traffic and crime are important issues that need to be addressed. He proposes starting an after-school program so children have activities to engage in when classes let out.

He supports the monorail system and believes roads should be expanded and projects like the Beltway can be and should be expedited.

"We should provide incentives to contractors to meet deadlines or beat deadlines," he said. "There are creative ways to get funding; it's a matter of tapping into it."

Doyle admits he's not a politician and he said that will work to his advantage. He said politicians are so busy politicking, they have forgotten to use common sense.

Doyle said growth is important in the valley, but it must be controlled. He said if there is no growth, the economy will falter.

Doyle emphasized that infrastructure must be in place before developments are approved and started.

"If you are going to have growth, you have to have the money to pay for it," he said.

"I've been here for 27 years and have watched this town grow. I've seen the problems associated with growth. I know what it's like to watch double-sessions for schools and sit in a traffic jam."

The Republican candidate believes in the monorail system to alleviate traffic on the Strip, but also feels the hotel-casinos could help out by staggering their staff members' start times.

He said Metro needs to "trim the fat" and find funds to put more officers on the street. He said integrity needs to be restored in the County Commission and board members must not back down from a vote because they fear ethics probes.

"We need to tell elected officials that we put you in there to do a job, now do it," Doyle said. "Don't be afraid to make a decision."