Editorial: Goodman should be our mayor

Sunday, June 6, 1999 | 10:14 a.m.

In the most important political race in Southern Nevada this year defense attorney Oscar Goodman and Las Vegas City Councilman Arnie Adamsen are vying to be the next mayor of Las Vegas. The winner of this contest will succeed Mayor Jan Laverty Jones, who rejuvenated the mayor's office into an issue-oriented, problem-solving post. Jones tackled issues affecting the entire valley, including quality of life concerns, such as traffic, proliferation of neighborhood gambling and lack of parks. The next mayor needs to build on Jones' success in making the mayor's office a bully pulpit to address some of the problems confronting Las Vegas and the rest of the valley.

Adamsen has been a fine city councilman for 12 years, but he has been unable to project a vision or generate enthusiasm for his mayoral candidacy. Instead Adamsen's central message has been one of fear, suggesting tourism and business investment will be harmed if the people elect Goodman, who has represented mobsters at times during his career. No one, however, has questioned the integrity of Goodman, a longtime resident of Las Vegas. In fact, he has received testimonials from former prosecutors and law enforcement officials who have vouched for his character and professionalism. Las Vegans understand that in the American system of justice, all criminal defendants -- even the most reviled -- are guaranteed the right to be represented by an attorney.

Part of the reason for Goodman's popularity is that he isn't afraid to take controversial stands: He supports impact fees on developers to pay for more parks (upsetting some builders) and argues that the mayor should sit on the Metro citizens review board (angering civil libertarians). It is encouraging that Goodman has made the redevelopment of downtown one of his chief priorities. Downtown has suffered from crime and seen businesses and homeowners leave, so it's critical to reverse this trend. Goodman can be passionate on issues, and he won't hesitate to rattle the establishment, but he also is smart enough to know that tilting at windmills isn't effective. He recognizes that the mayor has just one vote on a five-member City Council, so he will have to work well with others if he hopes to see his agenda become reality. If the charismatic Goodman is elect ed he'll quickly find out that the easy part was running for office; the hardest part will be governing. The daily grind of responding to constituents' requests and maintaining a coalition on the City Council will make the campaigning look like a cakewalk.

Goodman's intelligence, dedication and enthusiasm persuade us he is up to the task of leading Las Vegas into the next century. He has the potential to be one of the best mayors this city has ever had. The Sun endorses Oscar Goodman.

The Sun offers its endorsements in some other Southern Nevada races:

Las Vegas City Council: Councilman Gary Reese is being challenged by Nevada Stupak in the Ward 3 race. Reese did an outstanding job in his first term. Reese may not be a show horse, but he has been a workhorse for his ward, helping redevelop the area he has lived in since 1970. Reese deserves to be re-elected and gets the Sun's endorsement.

Las Vegas City Council expansion: A ballot question will ask Las Vegas city residents whether they want to add two City Council wards to the existing four (this would be in addition to the mayor who, as a member of the council, is elected at-large by the voters). The city's population of 448,244 means that on average each councilman represents 112,000 residents. If the ballot question passes, the average would drop to 77,000 residents per councilman. It is difficult now for members of the council to provide adequate representation. The Sun endorses this much-needed expansion.

Las Vegas Municipal Court judge: Attorney Bert Brown and deputy public defender Jessie Walsh are seeking to be elected to Municipal Court in Department 4. Unfortunately this race, which is supposed to be nonpartisan, has taken on partisan tones, including Clark County GOP Chairman Milton Schwartz and other Republicans sending out a letter that endorsed Walsh. In addition, at one point Walsh said she was Republican Gov. Kenny Guinn's choice for the judgeship. What she failed to mention, though, was that Guinn in fact is staying neutral, endorsing both candidates.

What is most important in a judgeship race is the candidate's qualifications. Walsh is a fine candidate, but it is clear that Brown is the superior candidate. Brown has been an arbitrator and an alternate judge in Las Vegas Justice Court, which provides him with a judicial background that Walsh doesn't possess. The Sun endorses Bert Brown.

North Las Vegas City Council: Councilman William Robinson and Councilwoman Paula Brown are both seeking to retain their seats, facing opposition from Marcia Blake and Planning Commissioner Shari Buck. Both Blake and Buck have good ideas about improving North Las Vegas, but the Sun believes the incumbents should be re-elected, providing the continuity the city needs as it promotes growth and simultaneously addresses quality of life issues. The Sun endorses William Robinson and Paula Brown.

Boulder City municipal races: In the past the Boulder City mayor was elected by the City Council, but this year the voters get to choose. Squaring off in the contest are four-term Mayor Bob Ferraro and Councilman Robert Kenneston, who has been an excellent member of the council. But the Sun endorses Bob Ferraro, who offers solid leadership and a vision to ensure that Boulder City maintains its small-town character. In the race for a City Council seat, Councilman Bryan Nix is being challenged by Tom Whelan, who offers fresh ideas. Nix is, however, the best choice. Nix has done a good job as a councilman and is responsive to the residents. The Sun endorses Bryan Nix.

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