Clashing commissioners

Adrienne Packer

Sunday, Aug. 22, 1999 | 9:28 a.m.

Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny pushed her chair back, announced she was leaving Tuesday's meeting and -- without hesitation -- handed the gavel to colleague Lance Malone.

Board members glanced around the room uneasily.

It was a clear breach of protocol and an apparent jab at Kenny's longtime nemesis Yvonne Atkinson Gates. The meeting should have been turned over to Atkinson Gates, former chairwoman and the commissioner with the most seniority in the absence of chairman Bruce Woodbury, who was out of town.

Atkinson Gates shook her head and rocked back in her chair.

Such petty slights have become almost commonplace at the County Commission of late.

The seven-member board is polarized by conflicting personalities more than it is split by party affiliation. And the games are starting to affect the board that many Nevada political pundits believe wields more power than the state Legislature.

Outsiders say the infighting is not only puzzling, it is starting to threaten the commission's credibility.

"When the public looks at things like that, they don't have any respect for what is going on," said Thalia Dondero, a UNLV regent and former Clark County commissioner. "It leaves questions in the public's eye as to the validity of what they're doing."

Atkinson Gates readily admits she and Kenny do not get along. She said she tries to put personal differences aside and is embarrassed by childish acts that occur inside the chambers.

"It makes people think here you have commissioners incapable of running a billion dollar business," Atkinson Gates said. "This is not small potatoes. We deal with issues that have serious consequences and we should act that way."

Kenny said she turned the meeting over to Malone -- who had never before taken control -- because he was the closest commissioner to her when she exited the chambers.

The antics that have unfolded inside the commission chambers lately have varied from verbal tiffs to political rivalries to personal paybacks:

-- During the Aug. 3 board meeting, vice-chair Kenny -- in control due to Chairman Bruce Woodbury's absence -- declined to allow Atkinson Gates to ask a question of staff. When Atkinson Gates persisted, Kenny cut her off. Atkinson Gates continued and Kenny called an abrupt recess.

-- In May Commissioner Lance Malone became angry with colleague Mary Kincaid after she voted against his motion and he lost his bid by a 4-3 vote to keep land in his district residential as his constituents requested.

In return, Malone lobbied for his close friend, Las Vegas City Councilman Michael McDonald, and against Kincaid when she ran for chairwoman of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

-- Kenny and Atkinson Gates rarely speak to each other when they're in their commission offices. They will walk past each other in the hallway and not even acknowledge each other.

-- Commissioners close to County Manager Dale Askew, call him Dale during meetings. Those who have expressed their displeasure with him refer to him as Mr. Askew.

-- Malone, Kenny and Woodbury -- who each oversee vast, fast-growing areas -- wanted boundaries redrawn last year so the population in each commission district would be more balanced. After many delays because of their squabbles the board decided to put it off until new U.S. Census numbers are in.

Those in favor of the new boundaries accused Askew of delaying the project to protect Atkinson Gates, who will run for re-election next year. The delay means Atkinson Gates has fewer residents to reach during her campaign.

While the existing seating arrangements at the chamber have Kenny and Atkinson Gates separated by Woodbury -- the calming influence on the board -- Malone and Kincaid sit next to each other.

Typically Atkinson Gates, Kincaid and Myrna Williams -- all Democrats -- support each other. Democrat Kenny and Malone, a Republican, also routinely vote for one another's projects.

When Democrat Dario Herrera won the seat vacated by outgoing incumbent Lorraine Hunt, all eyes focused on the newcomer. It didn't take long for Herrera to engulf himself in the conflicts and controversies already afflicting the board.

Seven months into his first term, Herrera teamed with Kenny and Malone -- who both had expressed dissatisfaction with the county leadership -- to call for Askew's resignation.

Kenny has never been an ardent Askew supporter. He replaced former County Manager Pat Shalmy, whom Kenny says was forced out of office by Atkinson Gates despite his 13 years of "exemplary service."

Askew also has a close relationship with Atkinson Gates and helped her secure county funds to build a North Las Vegas library, which angered fellow board members, including Kenny.

But Herrera insists he had his own reasons for attempting to oust Askew and said he has no intention to side with one faction.

"My decision wasn't based on personalities, it was based on what I thought was the right decision," Herrera said, adding that personal conflicts should not get in the way of votes. "Anything that would lead the public to believe their concerns aren't our absolute priority is a concern to me."

Whether or not Herrera is teaming up with Malone and Kenny, his most recent move made the commission's divisiveness readily apparent.

"They need to settle down and make this work," Dondero said. "What it takes is communication and without that, it's not going to work. They're using up energy for something that doesn't affect the public; it's not for the public's sake."

Former Clark County Commissioner Jay Bingham said squabbles are nothing new to county politics, but they shouldn't interfere with business.

"I have never seen personality conflicts outweigh what's best for residents," he said. "We had conflicts, challenges and personality flairs during meetings, then we'd all vote the same way."

Bingham recalls having bitter arguments with Williams when she joined the board in 1994. Toward the end of his term, Williams became so skilled at explaining her positions that Bingham began voting in favor of her projects.

"She was so passionate about issues and at first I disagreed with her," he said. "But she was so passionate, I found myself believing her."

Dondero, who served alongside Bingham, concurred that their board meetings weren't always peaceful. But, she emphasized, they battled through differences and accomplished significant projects like the wastewater treatment plant.

"We didn't always get along hunky dory," she said. "But eventually you have to give someplace because majority rules. The commission has only one goal and that is to serve the public and look out for what's best for the community. That's the whole purpose of being there."

The key to the commission regaining stability is Woodbury. A board member since 1981, he not only has the experience but he is well respected throughout the community. If the chairman opts not to run for another term -- a decision many say he is pondering -- the board will lose its most stabilizing force.

In the meantime, however, commissioners believe they can overcome the latest rifts.

Not every meeting is plagued by petty fights and disagreements; business is being accomplished, it's just not always a smooth process.

Kenny said the board -- and the public -- should concentrate on the commission's successes: It is a diverse group that votes unanimously on most issues.

"It speaks well for the community when you sit back and look at the board," Kenny said. "It's overwhelming when you consider the diversity in age and religion and heritage. You think to yourself, 'How do seven people with varied history come together 99 percent of the time in agreement?' "

Atkinson Gates said the key to regaining a cohesive board is accepting the fact everybody has different philosophies.

"It's sad we have to work in a difficult environment," she said. "It's critical to work with each other. You should never take a way in which a person votes personally. I may disagree with your philosophy, but that doesn't mean I don't like you."

archive