Maxfield opens commission career with an abstention

Adrienne Packer

Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2001 | 11:08 a.m.

Chip Maxfield had barely warmed his Clark County Commission seat Tuesday before the newly elected civil engineer had to do what critics have predicted: abstain from a vote involving developers.

Maxfield and fellow Commissioner Bruce Woodbury declined to take part in a vote to allow the aviation division to exchange land with Tiberti-Blood Inc. Both board members cited conflicts of interest.

Maxfield, executive vice president of Southwest Engineering, explained that he has known the owners of Tiberti-Blood for 18 years and his company is working with the developers on a project.

The newest commissioner has hardly masked his relationship with the community's developers, a tie former opponent Lois Tarkanian attempted to exploit during their general election race.

Maxfield has said repeatedly that he will disclose or abstain when an issue is related to developers working with his firm. Maxfield said because he has been forthright, he didn't feel awkward about his decision.

"That's going to happen on occasion," Maxfield said after his inaugural commission meeting. "It shows I understand the process; making sure I disclose relationships is very important."

Maxfield was sworn into office Tuesday morning along with incumbents Woodbury, Yvonne Atkinson Gates and Mary Kincaid.

Not only was a fresh face introduced to the board, but at age 27, Commissioner Dario Herrera became the youngest board member to take over the chairmanship. Myrna Williams was appointed vice chairwoman.

The board's vote to put Herrera at the helm was nearly unanimous, with the exception of Commissioner Erin Kenny, who ducked out of the meeting just before the vote and returned immediately afterward.

Herrera and Kenny recently have been on opposite sides of issues. Herrera voted to delay Kenny's children's hospital project and abandoned his and Kenny's plan to oust Clark County Manager Dale Askew.

Despite not receiving all seven votes, Herrera said he was proud to be named chairman.

"I'm extremely honored my colleagues would select me as chair; basically the leader of the board," Herrera said. "They certainly recognize the tremendous amount of work I've done on behalf of my constituents."

As chairman, Herrera has more responsibilities than simply pleasing residents in District G. He follows veteran commissioner Woodbury who was lauded for keeping peace on a sometimes contentious board.

Early signs indicate a fresh face and a new chairman won't resolve personality conflicts. On Tuesday, Williams and Kenny, who have a bumpy relationship and now sit next to each other. Their relationship toward each other seemed cool. Williams had the floor and Kenny spoke under her breath, apparently disagreeing with her colleague. Williams responded by giving Kenny a chilling glance.

Kenny also made it clear that she and onetime nemesis Mary Kincaid have made amends and intend on working closely together.

Kenny played a key role in attempting to unseat Kincaid, who faced Kenny's best friend in September's primary election. Though Kenny helped orchestrate the campaign against Kincaid, she made more than one comment Tuesday about how she and Kincaid have been working on issues together.

Herrera said his strategy in maintaining peace is to efficiently run the meetings.

"I don't think it's my place to control personalities on this board," Herrera said. "My job as chairman is to run professional, efficient meetings. I will encourage my colleagues to consider the issues and merits of those issues before us."