County’s balance of power shifting

Adrienne Packer

Thursday, Dec. 27, 2001 | 9:37 a.m.

For two decades constituents and government watchdogs have viewed Clark County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury as the "voice of reason" on a board often faced with controversial choices.

By his own admission, Woodbury is frustrated that his voice has recently been drowned out by influential campaign contributors.

"I think the dynamics have changed in recent times," Woodbury said. "I think, frankly, developers and lobbyists have a lot more influence than I do, for example."

Earlier this month Woodbury lost two crucial votes he believes hurt his district.

During a Dec. 5 zoning board meeting, the majority of the commission ignored pleas from Woodbury and 1,200 residents who signed a petition opposing a high-density apartment complex.

At the same meeting, Woodbury lost a battle with colleagues who passed an ordinance he believes allows more billboards to clutter his jurisdiction. The law, drafted primarily by the billboard industry, was also heavily protested by residents.

"It used to be commissioners would be more inclined to go along if I had serious concerns about a matter that affected my district," Woodbury said. "I wish they would give me the same consideration I give them."

Woodbury acknowledges a change in the board's decision-making, but he said he can't pinpoint why developers are winning more zone changes.

He wouldn't speculate whether the shift is related to the fact that incumbents seeking re-election in the past couple of years have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars more than board members have in the past.

Commissioner Erin Kenny triggered the fund-raising trend in 1998, when she raised about $1.2 million. Commissioner Mary Kincaid-Chauncey continued the pattern in 2000 by raising more than $1 million.

Woodbury also was reluctant to imply that recent decisions favorable to influential lobbyists are tied to races for higher office. Commissioner Dario Herrera, chairman of the board, is running for Congress and speculation is rampant that Kenny may run for a statewide office -- rumors she has yet to quiet.

Herrera did not return phone calls. Kenny could not be reached for comment.

"I don't know, but it's been disheartening," Woodbury said. "It's been disappointing to see the trend. I would prefer to see us give more consideration to one another and constituents."

Mary Jane Harvey, chairwoman of the Paradise Town Board and a regular at zoning board meetings, said she, too, has noted a change in dynamics. She said commissioners appear to have less respect for one another.

"Fortunately, Bruce is the steady man, and boy do we need stability," Harvey said. "I feel he is a critical part of the board. Thank God we have him."

Commissioner Myrna Williams, who has served two four-year terms with Woodbury, said she doesn't read too deeply into her colleague's recent losses.

Sometimes board members listen to the commissioner whose district is involved in a decision, other times they don't, Williams said.

"I don't think it's a question of power; I think it's a question of perspective," Williams said. "Sometimes it isn't easy to vote no or yes on something based on seeing someone out there you know. You still have to do what you have to do."

Williams added that while commissioners are elected to represent constituents in their districts, they can't ignore the rest of the community, including developers.

Diverse opinions make the board effective, but it also means that some board members will lose and feel disappointed.

"I read it all the time that Bruce is the voice of reason," Williams said. "Probably most of us think we are."