Mayoral candidates begin final run

Wednesday, April 14, 1999 | 11:25 a.m.

With just three weeks left to make an impression that sticks with voters, the three main candidates for Las Vegas mayor are turning up the heat.

City Councilman Arnie Adamsen, criminal defense attorney Oscar Goodman and developer Mark Fine appeared Tuesday at the Palace Station at a forum sponsored by the Community Associations Institute, an advocacy group for homeowners associations.

The candidates shared their views on development, parks and homeowners issues.

Adamsen relied again on his 12 years of experience on the council, rattling statistics off for what he called "each attack."

"I continue to point out differences," Adamsen said. "All of the problems that they say aren't being addressed, I rebut those."

Goodman asserted that the city has ignored its older neighborhoods.

With initial polls showing Goodman and Adamsen nearly in a dead heat and Fine trailing, the candidates are each attempting to distinguish themselves leading up to the May 4 primary.

Adamsen's television ads highlight his public safety efforts and his endorsements by both police and firefighters. He boasts he is "seven out of seven" for endorsements, including the backing of Sun City residents and the Culinary Union.

Another poll will be conducted for the Adamsen campaign next week to see what effect his television ads are having on the numbers. In the meantime, he said, he is raising more than $90,000 a week to help fund his campaign through the primary and into the general election.

Fine's campaign, which is struggling to gain name recognition for its candidate, went on the offensive first, claiming in television ads that "career politicians" have failed residents.

Fine also has been quoted in national media questioning whether Goodman would be good for the city's image due to his past legal representation of reputed Mafia leaders.

In an interview Tuesday, Fine said he is tired of hearing Goodman talk about his family all the time.

"I have kids, too," Fine said. "All he does for the first half of his speech is talk about his kids.

Goodman said in an interview Tuesday he was disappointed the campaign had begun to take a negative approach.

"I know they're going to start throwing things at me," Goodman said. "It's a shame it's not going to stay at the same level it was, but I'm going to take the high road now."

Goodman held a fund-raiser Tuesday night at Piero's restaurant with hopes of bringing in $150,000 in one night.