Civil rights activist Tate targets Malone’s commission seat

Adrienne Packer

Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2000 | 10:02 a.m.

Clark County Commissioner Lance Malone's mounting war chest might force his most publicized opponent to step aside, but it doesn't concern a third opponent, who plans to announce his candidacy later this week.

Civil rights activist Dr. James Tate said Monday that he has already collected $250,000 in pursuit of Malone's District C seat.

Malone's first four-year term is winding down, and while he and Tate have some similarities -- neither have had experience in public office before running -- Tate said they are also very different.

Tate, who is executive director of the National Alliance Against Racism and Political Oppression and local president of the National Medical Association, said he is an independent thinker who won't be influenced by money or clout.

"I'm running because there needs to be effective leadership, and I don't think he's provided it," Tate said. "From my perspective, as one of his constituents, he doesn't relate to me. And if he doesn't relate to me, he probably doesn't relate to others in my district."

Tate declined to discuss Malone's first four years on the board, saying he planned to keep his campaign focused on issues rather than personalities.

Tate, a trauma room surgeon, said he has appeared before the County Commission several times and feels board members sometimes have their minds made up before the public has an opportunity to talk.

He suggested that the public comment period be scheduled at the beginning of meetings rather than at the end of the agenda.

"I'm supposed to have a democratic society," Tate said. "These people are elected, and they're supposed to listen to people. They don't. The public comment period is at the end of the meeting. They're not going to reverse any decisions."

Tate was heavily involved in the creation of the new Metro Police Civilian Review Board. During the process, he said, he noticed that police representative had more say at the commission meetings than residents. He added that it isn't only Metro that carries extra political clout with the board.

Tate said the police review board is a priority and would continue to be one if he is elected to the commission.

"Just sitting there and listening, it was clear that police have representatives on the board and people don't," Tate said. "We have become a big city, a large metropolitan area. We can't run around like Sheriff Bubba and his boys going out and doing whatever they want to do."

Former FBI agent George Togliatti, who announced his intention to run against Malone in the fall, has raised $60,000 compared to the nearly $400,000 that Malone's camp has raised.

Togliatti said last week that he was considering dropping out of the race. His name then came up as a possible opponent for Commissioner Mary Kincaid. Togliatti did not return phone calls Friday and Monday.

Kincaid so far does not have an opponent. Steve La-Sky, a spokesman for the Clark County Fire Department, has been named as a possible candidate. While La-Sky called the possibility a rumor, he did not reject it.

He said as a single father he feels passionate about fathers' rights issues and education in Clark County. However, La-Sky said, he also has concerns about running against an incumbent.

"Seeking elected office is something I might do in the future, but it's a matter of where and when and my decision will be based on where I can do the most good," La-Sky said. "I have not made up my mind about anything and I have not ruled out anything."

No opponent has formally announced a bid against Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates, whose term in District D is also up at the end of the year. North Las Vegas Councilman John Rhodes' name has been mentioned, but he has yet to make an announcement.

"I don't have a comment right now," Rhodes said. "I've been approached about running, and it's of interest to me. That's where it's at right now."

Retired UNLV biology professor Larry Paulson is running against commission Chairman Bruce Woodbury, who is pursuing his sixth term on the board.

Paulson, a Democrat, said he is hardly intimidated by Woodbury's tenure on the commission. In fact, Paulson said it might play to his advantage.

He said the county is in debt and overspending and tax increases are passed on to residents. Paulson said Woodbury has been working with flood control for years and the county is giving its flood water to California without receiving return flow credits.

"I want to get the rocket fuel oxidizer out of the water, carbon monoxide and dust out of the air and the red out of our budgets," Paulson said. "I want to move the Las Vegas Wash off the political high center it seems to be on and advance with a real restoration program rather than adding reports to bookshelves."

The only element of the campaign with which Paulson is uncomfortable is fund-raising. He said he plans to disseminate literature about himself and set up a website describing himself and his issues.

He will welcome financial support but won't ask for it.

Like Tate, Paulson said one of his problems with the current commission is its failure to listen to residents and its history of supporting special interest groups.

"I won't sell my votes," he said. "A lot of issues are canned, done deals before votes are ever cast. A lot of people don't even cast a vote. They duck it. It's disgusting what's going on."