Editorial: Tarkanian is best choice for board

Saturday, Oct. 28, 2000 | 3:45 a.m.

The most contested County Commission race is the one to replace Commissioner Lance Malone, who lost to Chip Maxfield in the Republican primary. Maxfield now faces Democrat Lois Tarkanian, who has been a bright spot on the Clark County School Board for 12 years. Both Tarkanian and Maxfield believe that traffic gridlock and a lack of consistency in zoning decisions must be tackled. Maxfield has portrayed himself as an outsider, but as Tarkanian has pointed out, the civil engineer represents developers and has advocated zoning changes that would increase high-density housing. Unlike Tarkanian, who has had a long record of public service, Maxfield is relatively unknown. At a time when there has been so much instability on the County Commission, it is important to have someone on board who can work well with others and get things done immediately. The Sun endo rses Tarkanian.

Meanwhile there are three incumbents on the ballot in the remaining Clark County Commission races: Republican Bruce Woodbury and Democrats Yvonne Atkinson-Gates and Mary Kincaid. The Sun endorses all of their re-election bids. Woodbury often is the voice of reason on a board that too frequently has been riven by divisions. He also has championed common-sense approaches to easing traffic congestion, one of the most vexing issues facing the valley. Atkinson-Gates has seen some controversies during her term, but she has overcome them and has represented the county and her constituents well. Kincaid, who emerged victorious from a bruising primary battle, also has done an exceptional job serving the residents of her district.