Plan to visit a new-car lot on Sunday? Look but don’t buy

Adrienne Packer

Wednesday, April 18, 2001 | 10:53 a.m.

Southern Nevadans can roll dice or work the slots all day long Sunday, but soon they will be unable to buy a vehicle from certain Clark County car lots.

Although two board members conceded they did not agree philosophically with the proposed ordinance that keeps dealerships that sell new cars from being open on Sundays, each voted in favor of it.

The measure passed 4-1. Commissioner Mary Kincaid-Chauncey opposed and Bruce Woodbury abstained.

The ordinance was heavily backed by car dealer associations and Commissioner Erin Kenny, who said she proposed the measure after her constituents asked for relief from heavy traffic around dealerships on Sundays.

Kenny acknowledged her idea wasn't popular with all of the community's residents. Radio disc jockeys who criticized government involvement in private business have referred to her as a communist, she said.

"Our job is to represent our constituents," Kenny said. "My constituents are very much in support of this ordinance."

Kenny's neighbor on the dais was not.

Kincaid-Chauncey, who called the ordinance "special interest legislation," questioned why the ordinance includes dealerships that sell new vehicles but excludes lots that sell used cars or recreational vehicles.

"It totally goes against what this country was founded upon," Kincaid said. "I do not support an ordinance when government gets involved (with business)."

It is not the first time Kincaid-Chauncey and Kenny have landed on opposite sides of issues involving businesses and government.

Kincaid-Chauncey strongly opposed Kenny's proposed ordinance last year that prohibited Wal-Mart from opening its Supercenters in the county. Kincaid-Chauncey said the ordinance interfered with free enterprise. Local unions worked with Kenny on the ordinance because Wal-Mart is a nonunion company.

Maxfield and Herrera also had reservations about passing an ordinance that allows government to regulate business. But after representatives with car associations said they had no dealership in opposition and nobody appeared at the meeting to oppose the measure, they approved it.

"You are the ones who run the businesses," Maxfield said. "So if this is what you want, then so be it."

Representatives of the Valley Auto Mall supported the ordinance because their employees work extended hours during the week and want family time on Sunday.

It also allows potential car buyers to "window shop" without dealers approaching them.

Clark County dealerships have had a longstanding unwritten agreement that they would close on Sundays. They wanted the agreement to be put in the form of an ordinance due to an influx of new dealers moving to town.