Former legislator joins ethics panel

Monday, June 3, 2002 | 9:26 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Ernie Adler, a former assemblyman and senator from Carson City, has been named to the state Ethics Commission.

"I think this will be a real interesting experience," said Adler, 51, a private attorney in Carson City. "I predict things will heat up in the fall" as the election campaigns go to the wire.

Adler was chosen Friday by the Legislative Commission -- which conducts legislative business between sessions -- to succeed Raymond Avansino of Reno, who was appointed to the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Adler was selected over Bill MacDonald, a former district attorney in Winnemucca, and John Hannifan, a former Churchill County commissioner.

The appointee had to be a former public officer, from a county other than Clark and not a Republican. The ethics board currently has four members from Clark County, two from Washoe and one from Carson City. It also has four Republicans and three Democrats.

Ethics Commission members cannot hold another public office, be active in a political party or campaign or be a lobbyist.

Adler, 51, served two terms in each the state Assembly and Senate.

Adler, who has never attended an Ethics Commission meeting, had lobbied part time at the 2001 Legislature for energy assistance for low-income families and for the electrical workers union. He said he will give those up to serve on the Ethics Commission.

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