Downtown revitalization theme of Las Vegas candidates forum

Erin Neff

Friday, May 21, 1999 | 10:12 a.m.

Candidates for Las Vegas municipal offices shared their views on downtown issues Thursday night at a forum sponsored by a grass-roots organization of business owners and residents.

Mayoral candidate Oscar Goodman said the "revitalization and reinvigoration" of downtown remains his campaign's main issue.

"The city is beautiful in its surroundings but in its heart, has problems," Goodman said.

During his appearance, the second before the Downtown Central Development Committee, Goodman spoke of "when I'm elected mayor" and was already talking about how he wants to be remembered for his four years in office.

"I hope that at the end of my term everybody will say they made the right decision," Goodman said to several dozen people at the Arturo Cambeiro Center.

Goodman's opponent, Arnie Adamsen, did not attend -- although committee members said Adamsen's campaign had confirmed he would be there. Instead, Adamsen's wife, Pat, gave a brief statement on his behalf.

"He was very disappointed in the conflict that occurred," Pat Adamsen said, referring to an appearance on a radio program.

Both candidates for City Council in Ward 3 -- incumbent Gary Reese and 23-year-old Nevada Stupak -- fielded questions about downtown blight, crime and redevelopment.

Stupak, the son of casino entrepreneur Bob Stupak, said he grew up in Ward 3 and is saddened to see "how it has deteriorated throughout the years."

"When I was a kid I remember Ward 3 being safe and having nice neighborhoods," Stupak said. "Now it has been somewhat of a dumping ground."

Reese cited a number of economic revitalization programs in his ward and said, "I think you know what I've tried to do.

"I think we have been going in the right area, but everything takes time."

Local attorney Bert Brown and Deputy Public Defender Jessie Walsh both answered questions about how they would treat the bench if elected to Municipal Court in Department 4.

Brown said he was running because during his time serving as an alternate judge he said he learned he can make a difference.

Walsh said she plans to treat each person who comes before her with respect and dignity. She said her background as a prosecutor and defense attorney gives her a more diverse experience level.

Both Walsh and Brown said they favored an "order out" ordinance that bars those convicted of soliciting prostitution from being in the downtown corridor.

"The whole idea is to clean up the downtown area," Brown said.