Herrera likely leader after all

Adrienne Packer

Thursday, Dec. 7, 2000 | 10:27 a.m.

When it comes to Clark County Commission posts, three are the most sought after -- the chairmanship and two appointments to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority board.

After months of negotiating, jockeying and juggling, commissioners have settled -- at least preliminarily -- on who will hold the positions. The board won't officially vote on the appointments until its Jan. 2 meeting.

Commissioner Dario Herrera, who last month delivered a letter to the board withdrawing his name from the bid for chairmanship, is now expected to collect the four votes necessary to become chairman.

Herrera, whose role of chairman would only help him in his bid for a newly created congressional seat, said he has always wanted to lead the board but believed his interest was causing strife among his colleagues.

"I was sincerely interested in not being a source of division," Herrera said. "I was interested in furthering the goal of seeing cohesive board cooperating with one another."

Herrera said it is likely that Commissioner Myrna Williams will be voted to vice chairwoman.

The opportunity for Herrera to become chairman arose when Commissioner Mary Kincaid -- whose chances to become chairwoman had greatly increased when Herrera withdrew -- opted for a seat on the LVCVA board. Kincaid is expected to be joined by Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates.

While the board chair is mostly responsible for ceremonious events like groundbreakings and ribbon-cuttings, the LVCVA is a more plum position. LVCVA board members travel around the world and attend the community's most prestigious events.

Herrera said he and Kincaid discussed the appointments on Tuesday. Herrera, a former state legislator, said his experience should help the county during the next legislative session.

Kincaid could not be reached for comment Thursday.

While Herrera's involvement with the LVCVA, which deals with Washington, D.C., representatives, could also help elevate his profile even further, the commissioner said he would rather serve as board chairman.

"There is no higher honor than being chair of the County Commission; to be asked by colleagues to be their chairman is humbling and flattering," Herrera said.

Herrera said he believes his energy level would allow him to efficiently resolve personality conflicts on the commission. He said he also would heavily rely upon commission veteran Bruce Woodbury, who has been chairman for the last two years.