Editorial: Political ethics takes another hit

Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2000 | 9:28 a.m.

One would think that with all of the publicity we have had lately about local public officials facing alleged ethical breaches that they would take a break from back-room deal making or from exerting their political muscle when it is inappropriate to do so.

We believe Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny was out of line when she showed up at a Feb. 11 staff meeting to lobby for a developer who wanted to renege on a previous agreement involving a drainage ditch. It is bad enough to renege on a deal. It is worse in this case because the developer, Jim Rhodes, is not only Kenny's friend but the owner of the neighborhood where she lives.

As the Sun's Adrienne Packer reported, the scuttlebutt involves a request by Rhodes to move the drainage ditch off his residential development property on the west side of Durango Drive to public land across the street. County planners and staff members of the Department of Aviation objected to Rhodes' proposal because they said it would create a danger for a park and high school planned on the public land. It may also cost taxpayers plenty.

By lobbying at the meeting Kenny intimidated staffers who view her as their boss. She should have waited until the staff process ran its course and the matter was brought before the full commission. Even if it does reach the commission, we believe it would be appropriate now for Kenny to abstain.