Longtime politicians, newcomers crowd municipal races

Erin Neff

Monday, March 8, 1999 | 11:14 a.m.

The municipal races in Las Vegas -- initially off to a slow start -- have been injected with character and six-figure fund-raising efforts as 10 candidates vie for mayor and two political foes begin a war of words for a council seat.

Friday's close of filing for the May 4 primary drew criminal defense attorney Oscar Goodman and developer Mark Fine to an already crowded mayor's race and threw ex-Councilman Steve Miller into the fray against Mayor Pro Tem Michael McDonald for the City Council.

Mayoral front-runners and experienced politicians Jay Bingham and Arnie Adamsen, who have already opened campaign headquarters and planted signs throughout the city, now will have to prove themselves against political outsiders.

Fine, 53, known for heading efforts in developing Summerlin and Green Valley, said he thought he had an advantage running as a newcomer and would not be hurt by the "developer" label so many voters seem to mistrust.

"I am a community builder," Fine said after filing his candidacy in front of a small but boisterous group of supporters chanting "Fine for '99." "People look at the quality of life in those communities and I think the fact that I developed them is an asset."

Although Fine seemed a bit uncomfortable in his initial public statement, frequently asking his handlers where he should stand or when to begin talking, Goodman hammed it up.

When City Clerk Barbara Jo "Roni" Ronemus told Goodman to sign the election form as he wants it to appear on the ballot, the quick-witted criminal defense attorney replied, "Mayor Oscar Goodman."

Goodman, 59, said he is serious about the race and considers himself an 8-to-5 favorite to win.

But his legal aid to some of the underworld's most notorious figures, including Tony "the Ant" Spilotro and Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, proved more fodder for questions at a press conference Friday than did city issues.

"I've spent 35 years practicing law and my whole practice was based on the Constitution of the United States," Goodman said, holding up a copy of that document for emphasis. "I've represented some of the toughest cases in this century ... I'm just talking on a new client."

Besides Bingham, 45, a former Clark County Commission chairman, and Adamsen, 49, a longtime councilman, long shots comprise the rest of the mayoral field.

Radio talk show host Frank La Spina, City Hall watcher Tom McGowan, perennial candidate Hillary Michael Milko, one-time Henderson mayor Cruz Olague and little-known residents Douglas Opolka and Anthony Snowden are also on the ballot.

Meanwhile, McDonald's originally easy bid for re-election took on some added challenges Friday when Miller unexpectedly decided to run for City Council in Ward 1 and stay out of the mayor's race.

Miller, 54, a longtime foe of McDonald's friend, Mayor Jan Laverty Jones, said he plans to concentrate his campaign on what he calls corruption in City Hall. McDonald beat Miller in the 1995 primary and went on to oust incumbent Frank Hawkins in the general election.

Meadows Village activist Chris Christoff and residents Linda Gray and Paul Holder also are running against McDonald.

In Ward 3, incumbent Gary Reese is facing challenges from five little-known community activists and from the son of Stratosphere founder Bob Stupak.

Nevada Stupak, 23, who with his father survived a serious motorcycle crash in 1995, filed his candidacy Friday. Nevada's sister, Nicole Stupak, lost a bid for the council in 1991. Bob Stupak lost a bid for mayor in 1987.

Reese, 57, is also facing opposition from boxing trainer Charles "Doc" Broadus, Lionel Fleming, Harvey Munford, Carlo Poliak and Bradley Loring Smith.

Municipal Court elections will only be held in Department 4, where six attorneys are vying for the seat.

Those running are Ron Barron, Bert Brown, Nicholas Anthony Del Vecchio, Craig Hendricks, Tony Liker and Jessie Walsh.

In the other departments, since only the incumbents filed, they were declared the winners and no election will be held.

Incumbent Toy R. Gregory won re-election to Department 1, Judge Michelle Leavitt Fitzpatrick was declared the winner in Department 3 and Judge Ron Parraguirre won in Department 6.