Mayoral hopefuls face off at debate

Erin Neff

Thursday, March 18, 1999 | 11:31 a.m.

The three leading candidates for Las Vegas mayor squared off this morning on a variety of economic and transportation issues during a debate before some 200 local developers and trade officials.

City Councilman Arnie Adamsen relied on statistics, history and his personal role in a variety of issues when answering questions while developer Mark Fine discussed his views on city issues from his private-sector position, referring dozens of times to the need to build a better "community."

Criminal defense attorney Oscar Goodman seemed to have the most difficulty answering specific questions, often trailing into ramblings about Las Vegas as the county's "stepsister" and relying on his opinion of a crumbling downtown, even referring to the Strip south of Sahara Avenue as "Honkytonkville."

The debate at Palace Station was sponsored by the Southern Nevada Chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) and offered a look at the candidates' views on downtown redevelopment, developer's fees and plans for a public monorail system.

The three were the only ones of the nine candidates who have filed for mayor who were invited to the forum.

"Developers need to be involved in the process," Fine said, answering a question about whether he favors impact fees. "But everybody's got to pay their fair share."

Moderator Jon Ralston, a freelance political columnist, quipped that Fine -- although new to politics -- had "already learned the pandering reflex."

Goodman, 59, jumped at the moment, claiming he has already learned the the art of pandering from some of the clients he's represented. He said he favored passing fees for services down to the consumer.

Adamsen, 49, said he favored public-private partnerships, such as land leases with the Bureau of Land Management to "share the burden."

Adamsen also said he supports current downtown redevelopment projects, saying the city is "halfway there."

Fine, 53, said efforts need to be supplemented with new amenities downtown such as open space, afternoon concerts and farmer's markets.

But Goodman decried all efforts to date as failures -- including the Fremont Street Experience

"Whatever has been tried hasn't been working," Goodman said.

Then, remarking on his attendance of the opening of Steve Wynn's Beau Rivage casino in Biloxi, Miss., Goodman said tourists will likely go to Biloxi before they go to downtown Las Vegas, "with the exception of the Golden Nugget."

Adamsen said he favors construction of a public monorail "tomorrow." Fine said he wanted to look at existing public transportation as a short-term traffic solution. And Goodman said the existing Union Pacific railroad line adjacent to be downtown should be utilized by tourists.

The candidates also differed on their views for how the currently vacant 178 acres of Union Pacific and Lehman Brothers land downtown should be developed.

Goodman said he favored bringing in a National Football League franchise, provided a private individual built a stadium there. He also said he would like to attract Silicon Valley-style businesses for the area.

Adamsen said he wants to see more sales-tax generating businesses similar to the Neonopolis entertainment and retail center currently under construction.

"We need more excitement like Neonopolis," Adamsen said.

He also said he favors allowing performing arts troupes to set up shop there.

Fine said the land "truly has the opportunity to help vitalize the downtown."