Herrera, Kenny set sights higher

Adrienne Packer

Wednesday, May 29, 2002 | 10:57 a.m.

She composed some of Clark County's most debated ordinances, often drawing criticism from residents who said she favored developers over constituents.

He was the first chairman to elevate the traditionally informal State of the County address to a new level, opting for an attention-grabbing speech delivered in front of television cameras and a TelePrompTer the county rented for $900.

Through their actions -- viewed at times as excessive -- Commissioners Erin Kenny and Dario Herrera became perhaps the most controversial politicians on the seven-member board.

Now running for higher office, the two Democrats are on their way out of the County Government Center, and the dynamics of a board are bound to change.

In January the commission will be without Kenny for the first time in eight years.

Kenny's proposed ordinances, which included closing car lots on Sundays and prohibiting motorists from using hand-held cellular phones, angered critics who believed government officials were overstepping their boundaries.

But Kenny doesn't regret earning a reputation for arousing controversy. Growing up with a Republican father and Democratic mother, she was exposed to political debate at an early age.

"The notion that things should be talked about and argued in a positive way was the way I thought the world was," said Kenny, who is running for lieutenant governor. "I always thought it was a good thing to have a debate. Open dialogue is vital to public policy."

Though Kenny is also credited with positive projects like parks in her district, the controversy that accompanied many of Kenny's ideas won't be missed by some colleagues.

"She believes strongly in government intervening in redressing problems of society," Republican Commissioner Bruce Woodbury said. "That's certainly been one dominant factor on the commission; Erin is quite frequently coming up with new and controversial proposals.

"It makes life interesting; I'm kind of looking forward to having life a little less interesting."

Herrera and Kenny each led the county on significant issues. Kenny has been instrumental in bringing the county into compliance with federal air quality standards. Herrera, who is running for Congress, has led the fight against storing nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain.

They also have teamed up to share the spotlight in a handful of questionable actions.

In 1999 the two paired up in an attempt to oust former County Manager Dale Askew while Askew was on vacation. The two publicly criticized Askew, but failed to get the votes to fire him.

More recently Herrera and Kenny -- both supported by the firefighters' union -- made an unsuccessful push to have Fire Chief Earl Greene dismissed.

Herrera and Kenny both have been the target of ethics complaints; the cases were dropped.

Kenny was accused of trying to persuade an employee, a former county worker, to break into the Government Center and pull records that would have damaged colleague Mary Kincaid-Chauncey's chances for re-election. At the time Kincaid-Chauncey was facing Kenny's friend, Stephanie Smith, in a tight race.

Earlier this year an ethics complaint was filed against Herrera after he repeatedly abstained from a vote on a billboard ordinance -- which was introduced by Kenny -- and then took part in the decision to approve the law.

The ethics complaint alleged Herrera's wife, who has ties to the billboard industry, benefited from the ordinance. Herrera did not return phone calls Tuesday.

Though the two commissioners frequently found themselves in the spotlight, Ted Jelen, chairman of UNLV's Political Science Department, doubts the departures of Kenny and Herrera will affect the board.

"I tend to think the work of the County Commission is driven by an issue agenda rather than personality," Jelen said. "Clark County is still facing the same kinds of problems it has been; those aren't changing."

Aside from residents who landed on the opposite side of an issue from their representative, Jelen said few citizens will even notice Herrera's and Kenny's departure.

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but people don't pay that much attention," Jelen said. "I'm not sure it matters so much. People care more about the quality of schools, whether their garbage gets picked up and whether their streets are safe." Democrat Rory Reid, the son of Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., is expected to win Herrera's seat in District G. Sen. Mark James, R-Las Vegas, will face Republicans Esther Quisenberry, Tim Cory and Devin Smith in a crowded primary election.

The third commission race involves Myrna Williams, who faces three opponents in the Democratic primary.