Constable challenger says more time needed

Jeffrey Libby

Friday, Nov. 1, 2002 | 9:43 a.m.

The Democratic challenger for constable of Henderson Township, John Cahill, wants to know how incumbent Republican Earl Mitchell can work the day shift as a full-time cop and also manage the constable's office.

Mitchell says it's easy: being constable is a part-time job.

Why then, asks Cahill, is the constable's office open 40 hours a week?

"If the public has a complaint or if staff has a question, they'll be able to reach me," Cahill said. "That's not possible right now."

Mitchell, 45, who is running for his third four-year term, has fended off similar questions before.

"In a 24-hour town, the best time to serve a person might be 2 a.m. at Caesars Palace," Mitchell said. "The hours are flexible. They have to be."

The constable's office is responsible for serving civil court papers, most commonly eviction notices, but also civil summons, warrants, writs and subpoenas.

Mitchell works 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday as a Henderson patrol officer. He said he stops by the constable's office on his lunch break and after 4 p.m., works all day on Fridays and puts some time in on Saturdays. He works a total of 25 hours a week overseeing four deputies, he said.

The job pays $2,050 annually, plus a cut of fees charged for serving court papers. Mitchell said those payments add another $20,000 to his annual pay.

Cahill, 57, a retired Clark County juvenile parole and probation officer, says Henderson has grown dramatically and the number of apartments has doubled since Mitchell won election for the first time eight years ago. The job takes more dedication these days, he said.

"It's a good thing he's put together a good staff to run the office, because if it weren't for that, it'd truly be a scandal," Cahill said. Mitchell is proud of his staff, but also points out that the only constable who gets full-time pay is the constable of Las Vegas Township. Robert "Bobby G" Gronauer earns $70,000 annually, oversees a staff of 17 deputies and serves about 6,800 court papers each month.

The Henderson constable's office, by comparison, serves closer to 350 papers a month, according to Mitchell.

"It's a more upscale socioeconomic climate in Henderson," said Gronauer. "They don't have the densities, the apartments that we have."

Mitchell compared his job to that of Henderson City Council members, who are also considered part-time employees.

"I believe the community likes part-time elected officials rather than full-time career politicians," Mitchell said.