County limits role of redistrict specialist

Adrienne Packer

Monday, June 25, 2001 | 10:56 a.m.

A redistricting specialist who re-drew boundaries for Las Vegas and the state had his role restricted in Clark County, prompting some to believe a movement exists to dilute the Democratic stronghold on the commission.

Fred Kessler, a former Wisconsin judge and staunch Democrat, signed a $30,000 county contract to provide legal advice and ensure voters' rights are not being violated when commission district boundaries were re-drawn.

Kessler's involvement has been limited to reviewing draft maps. He is scheduled to visit Clark County this week, months after the process began and days before the final map is expected to be approved.

Kessler was reluctant to speak about his experience with the county and gingerly sidestepped questions about whether he thought he would be more involved.

"The process isn't over yet," Kessler said. "I don't want to end up saying that (he thought he would have more involvement). Hopefully I'll be talking to some of the commissioners next week."

The extent of Kessler's work outlined in his draft contract was changed at the suggestion of Republican commissioner Bruce Woodbury. The final agreement said Kessler would not be involved in the actual re-drawing of boundaries.

Woodbury agreed Kessler was more heavily involved in Las Vegas' reapportionment project, but pointed out that city council seats are nonpartisan. He feared Kessler's party affiliation might have had an effect on the new districts.

"I was the one who raised the issue because I wanted to make sure we weren't paying for a Democratic strategist," Woodbury said. "If commissioners wanted to do that, they should pay for it themselves."

Woodbury confirmed he has heard talk that Kessler's role was limited to get more Republicans on the commission, but said that was not true. In his 20 years on the board there have been times when Woodbury was the only Republican, and he never felt powerless.

"It's never been a partisan situation, and it shouldn't be regarded as that," Woodbury said. "When you go through redistricting, it's tempting for incumbents to design districts if they're running for re-election."

Potential Republican candidate Esther Quisenberry has conferred with Woodbury, and some government watchdogs believe Woodbury's friend, Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson -- a Democrat who has discussed changing parties -- is considering running for commission. The most recent redistricting map protects at least some Democrats. For example Quisenberry, who plans to run against Democratic commissioner Erin Kenny, was drawn out of Kenny's district.

Democratic commission chairman Dario Herrera said he is disappointed Kessler hasn't been permitted to help staff members ensure equity in communities of interest and population in dividing the districts.

Herrera said Woodbury's concerns that Kessler's mapping would benefit Democrats and hurt Republicans prompted Woodbury to have a "vested interest in limiting his involvement."

"To have (Kessler) involved would not have politicized this process more than it has already been politicized," Herrera said. "I think his insight and his experience in redistricting at the local and state level would have been an asset to staff in this very big endeavor."

County Planning Director John Schlegel agreed that initially Kessler was expected to play a more active role in redrawing boundaries. But, he added, Kessler has accomplished exactly what the contract required him to do.

"Staff envisioned he would be a more active participant in the process, but that ran into opposition," Schlegel said. "When we modified the contract, it stipulated a different role for Fred."

A public hearing to discuss the new district boundaries is scheduled for July 3. Kessler will review the maps to ensure they will withstand any court challenges.