Insults fly in discussion on judges

Adrienne Packer

Wednesday, June 5, 2002 | 9:44 a.m.

A conversation about how justices of the peace should be appointed erupted into accusations of racism Tuesday when Clark County commissioners discussed who should serve on a selection committee.

Jim Spinello, the county's assistant director for administration, recommended a five-member committee with one representative from the Nevada Bar Association, three from the Clark County Bar Association and a commission-appointed citizen.

Spinello suggested to show diversity on the selection panel, one county appointee to be black and the other Hispanic.

When Commissioner Erin Kenny asked whether the Asian population would be represented on the panel, colleague Bruce Woodbury said the board was taking the diversity issue "to absurd lengths."

Acknowledging his comments would not be considered politically correct, Woodbury said if all ethnic backgrounds were considered, the majority of the board would be minorities.

His comments triggered a debate between Woodbury and Chairman Dario Herrera, the only Hispanic on the commission.

"You are not suggesting that African-Americans and Hispanics can't select a qualified member," Herrera said.

The commission postponed its decision on how to approach the appointment process for two weeks.

The county has no formal procedure to replace justices of the peace when they leave their positions before their terms expire. Traditionally, commissioners who oversee the district in which the justice of the peace serves appoint a replacement.

The new proposal is designed after the state's policy in replacing District Court judges. Candidates are screened and then put before a selection committee, which ultimately recommends three finalists to the governor.