Voters have more choices in Henderson Wards 1 and 2

Wednesday, April 21, 1999 | 10:42 a.m.

Henderson residents have more choices in the City Council races for Wards 1 and 2, in which both incumbents are running, than in Ward 4, which attracted only two candidates after Councilman David Wood announced that he would not seek another term.

Candidates must live within the ward in which they run, but they are elected at-large. The most recent count shows the total number of registered voters in Henderson is a little more than 80,000.

First-term Councilwoman Amanda Cyphers, who sought political office her first time in 1997, faces competition in Ward 1 from three people who have never before sought political office.

One is Elizabeth Trosper, a 39-year-old former actress and current accounts administrator who has lived in Henderson for four years and is active in youth sports programs.

Trosper says the city needs to do a better job responding to the needs brought on by tremendous growth.

Her major interests include better education for children, more cultural and recreational facilities, economic diversification and better programs for seniors.

"I propose an aggressive campaign to attract nongaming businesses," Trosper said. "We need to monitor the downtown redevelopment program to assure a successful transformation of the downtown area.

"I propose an Eldernet Coalition made up of members of the community to look at and plan for housing, health care, recreation, education, financial stability and transportation for our seniors."

Debra Ann Lemancik-Grant, a 37-year-old teacher and translator who speaks Spanish and has lived in Henderson for three years, also filed for the post, but at a candidates forum earlier this month said she was withdrawing her candidacy and throwing her support to Trosper.

But according to City Clerk Monica Simmons, who also serves as the city's filing clerk, Lemancik-Grant never formally withdrew her candidacy in writing so her name will appear on the May 4 primary election ballot.

Lemancik-Grant, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point who has taught in Mexico and Spain, has said she wants better fiscal responsibility in Henderson government.

"I'm for cutting the fat out of the budget instead of constantly assessing new taxes and fees," she said. "Any increase in taxes and/or fees should (come from) new developments and new businesses.

The third candidate is Frederick Pratt, a 44-year-old, eight-year resident of Henderson, who has argued before the City Council and other city boards on street safety issues and traffic matters.

Pratt, who works for Southern Nevada's Economic Opportunity Board, said he wants developers to start paying more for the privilege to build in Henderson.

"It's time for Henderson to impose impact fees for the city emergency services and school funds," he said. "It's not the Clark County School District's fault for overcrowding in the schools, nor is it the taxpayers' fault. It is time for the housing developers to accept more responsibility for these services."

Pratt also says he will work for better public transportation service and more youth-oriented amusement activities.

Longtime Councilman Andy Hafen faces opposition in Ward 2 from two opponents who have lived in Southern Nevada for a considerable length of time and have served on government and civic boards.

Ann Barron, 50, was for 16 years the economic development director for the city of Henderson. A Southern Nevada resident for 18 years, she has lived in Henderson since 1990 and currently owns a consulting company.

Barron's goals are to enhance public safety, upgrade and maintain existing neighborhoods, encourage more responsible management of resources, improve education and try to bring better employment opportunities to the city.

She has served on several community boards, including the Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Henderson Boys and Girls Club and the United Way. Barron is a past Henderson Boys and Girls Clubs woman of the year.

William Brandt, 67, succeeded in his only prior attempt at office in 1982, when he was appointed to serve as Village Trustee of Lombard, Ill. He has served on other boards in various capacities and was a public works director and a city engineer before coming to Henderson 10 years ago.

Brandt earned bachelor's degrees in civil engineering and public administration in the 1970s and a master's in public administration in 1980 -- all through night school courses.

His goals are to provide greater accessibility for citizen input prior to public meetings and to better handle traffic issues.