Differences in mayoral candidates more evident

Jace Radke and Erin Neff

Monday, May 24, 1999 | 10:14 a.m.

Mayoral candidates Arnie Adamsen and Oscar Goodman are making their differences clearer with each campaign appearance, but in recent debates they couldn't help but find some common ground as well.

At a debate Sunday in Sun City Summerlin, Adamsen got his loudest applause when he answered a question asking what he sees as Goodman's best attribute.

"His best attribute is that he is the best criminal defense attorney in the United States," the city councilman told the crowd of about 600 senior citizens.

When the same question was asked of Goodman he simply gestured to the audience and said, "Mrs. Adamsen, would you please stand up."

Goodman's quick thinking was rewarded with loud applause from the crowd and his opponent, who said it was one of the few times he has agreed with Goodman during the campaign.

The differences between the two candidates were more evident at a Friday luncheon with the Latin Chamber of Commerce.

"Mr. Adamsen is an honorable man and I believe I am an honorable man," Goodman said to about 200 people attending the luncheon at the Gold Coast hotel-casino Friday. "The major difference is that I bring in new ideas, new blood, new vigor and Mr. Adamsen has been there for over a decade."

Adamsen kept to the same theme he's reiterated since placing a distant second to Goodman in the May 4 primary: "The major difference is who each of us has represented over the last 16 years."

When the two men appear in a Las Vegas 1 debate Tuesday at 8 p.m. on cable channels 1 and 39, expect even more differences to surface.

On Friday and Sunday the planned question-and-answer sessions turned into point-counterpoint debates.

On Sunday Goodman and Adamsen took opposite sides on the proposed Lake Mead Boulevard interchange that would allow access from the under-construction Las Vegas Beltway to Sun City Summerlin.

Adamsen said the decision of where beltway interchanges are placed is up to Clark County, and the city and mayor don't have much of a say in the matter.

"The mayor can't stop the interchange from going in," Adamsen said. "The mayor can use the bully pulpit and make sure that whatever impact to traffic the interchange causes is minimized."

Goodman disagreed with Adamsen, falling back on his statement that the word "can't" is not in his vocabulary.

"If you don't try you can't succeed, and this interchange is not a done deal," Goodman said. "I'll do everything in my power to make sure the quality of life in Sun City is not impacted by this interchange."

Later in the forum Adamsen accused Goodman of making promises he couldn't keep. "My opponent has promised you he will stop the beltway interchange at Lake Mead Boulevard."

Goodman told the crowd that he was only aware of making two promises in his campaign: "to be honest, diligent and work with integrity and to make being mayor a full-time job."

At Friday's forum the candidates took different sides on the city's ballot question on the size of the City Council and on the issue of a Civilian Review Board for the Metropolitan Police Department.

Goodman said he is against the ballot question which would expand the City Council by two seats.

"I believe what we really need is not an expansion, but to have those who are elected represent them better," Goodman said.

The expansion -- supported by many in the Hispanic and black communities as a way to increase the likelihood that a minority could be elected to the all-white council -- is being closely watched by both the Latin chamber and the group Hispanics In Politics, which has endorsed Adamsen.

"I couldn't disagree with my opponent more," Adamsen said of the ballot question which he supports.

Another issue of growing concern in the minority communities is the creation of a Civilian Review Board to investigate claims of alleged abuse of power by Metro officers.

The two-year battle to create such a board will end today when the Las Vegas City Council votes on the review board ordinance. The Clark County Commissioners have already approved the ordinance creating the 25-member independent board.

"It is called the Civilian Review Board, and it says civilian right in the ordinance," Goodman said. "I don't like that. I take the position that the public is entitled to have someone responsible in that position."

Goodman said that if he's elected mayor, he would like to serve as chairman of such a group to "keep an eye on what is happening on the Civilian Review Board."

Although Goodman recognized there have been widely publicized problems involving some officers, he said he was reluctant to put "prosecutorial power" into the hands of a select group of civilians.

Adamsen, who sits on Metro's Fiscal Affairs Committee and sponsored the review board ordinance before the Las Vegas City Council, strongly disagreed.

"The sheriff is duly elected and is ultimately responsible," Adamsen said. "I strongly support the premise of a Civilian Review Board.

"It allows the citizens to take their complaints directly to where the responsibility lies -- with the sheriff," Adamsen said.