Kincaid, Smith turn up the heat in television debate

Adrienne Packer

Monday, Aug. 21, 2000 | 11:37 a.m.

Contentious campaigns tend to get personal, and the bid for Clark County Commission reached that point Friday when District B incumbent Mary Kincaid faced Stephanie Smith in an informal televised debate.

In their first head-to-head meeting, Smith questioned Kincaid's integrity, and Kincaid cast doubt on Smith's knowledge about county issues.

Smith launched the first personal attack when she reiterated the message delivered in her most recent mail piece. She claimed Kincaid's vote can be bought, as evidenced by a $10,000 campaign contribution from Wal-Mart after Kincaid voted against an anti-Wal-Mart ordinance.

Kincaid, who is typically subdued, whipped around and scolded Smith for insinuating that she was swayed by money.

"My vote has never been for sale," Kincaid said.

"You are the first person who has ever questioned my integrity in the 20 years I've been in politics."

The televised debate aired on "Point of View Vegas," the Las Vegas Sun's news discussion show on Las Vegas ONE, Cox cable channels 1 and 39.

Kincaid explained she voted against the measure, which prohibited Wal-Mart from building its traditional Supercenter store, because she believed it interfered with free enterprise and was unconstitutional.

Because of her vote, the Culinary Union shifted its alliance to Smith after years of endorsing Kincaid. The commissioner said if her vote could be bought, she would have supported the union.

"If I was going to vote how someone wanted me to, I would have gotten a lot more money and power if I had voted the way the union told me to vote," she said. "They can be a formidable force when they start telling the lies they have started to tell."

Despite having the Culinary Union's support, Smith said she does not and won't ever vote based on campaign contributions.

"I have a different philosophy," she said. "When I cast my vote, you usually don't see any financial connection with it."

The two also argued over a controversial proposal to issue $80 million in bonds to build a county-run children's hospital. Kincaid voted with the majority of the board to delay the bond issue until further needs assessments can be done.

Smith didn't buy Kincaid's contention that the county might build a hospital, then lack the nurses to staff it. The councilwoman likened the argument to casino owners hesitating to open a new resort over fears there wouldn't be enough waitresses.

Kincaid dismissed Smith, saying she is not privy to all of the information, therefore doesn't understand all of the facts surrounding the children's hospital.

The two also were asked about Commissioner Erin Kenny's involvement in the race. Kenny has worked with Kincaid for nearly four years, but she is close friends with Smith.

Smith's mailers have hammered Kincaid on two proposals that Kenny introduced and Kincaid voted against -- the Wal-Mart ordinance and the children's hospital.

Smith said she and Kenny have similar philosophies on growth and air quality and would work well together, but added that she is running for a commission seat because of her own concerns and ideas.

The councilwoman said she believes that if she is elected, the in-fighting that plagues the County Commission would be tempered.

"I would not describe the County Commission as congenial," she said. "There is not peace on the County Commission, and I think that has to change."

Smith said she believes District B, most of which overlaps her council ward, has been underserved by Kincaid. She said the region needs more parks and better roads.

Kincaid, however, said she helped hire 500 new police officers and has plans to build a police substation and fire stations throughout the district. Because her district is older with little vacant land, she has joined commissioners in neighboring districts to construct facilities that serve her constituents.

The next debate on "POV Vegas" between County Commission candidates will feature incumbent Lance Malone against primary opponent Chip Maxfield on Friday.