New members expected to cool off fireworks

Adrienne Packer

Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002 | 9:11 a.m.

A political old-timer secured her Clark County Commission seat for her third term, and two candidates embedded in Nevada politics who were viewed as shoo-ins after September's primary were just that.

The commission kept Democrat Myrna Williams and gained two more attorneys -- Democrat Rory Reid and Republican Mark James.

The new ingredients on the seven-member commission are expected by some to create a more tolerant board.

Mary Jane Harvey, an 11-year member of the Paradise Town Board and chairwoman since 1996, said she believes commissioners will be less contentious than the seven who have worked -- and quarreled -- together the last four years.

"There will be a lot more collegiality and harmony amongst the members," said Harvey, whose township includes portions of each of the three candidates' district. "I think that's probably a key factor in everything else that goes on with the board."

Williams remains popular in her older centralized District E, a region mostly made up of elderly residents. Williams received 61 percent of the votes; Republican opponent John Stanhagen collected 39 percent.

Harvey said the 73-year-old Williams' dedication to her district and her trademark project -- the Cambridge Community Center -- only boosted her popularity.

"She's worked very hard to take care of her area," Harvey said. "It's an all-urban area that has a lot of problems. She's on top of them. She's a very hard-working woman and commissioner."

James easily defeated Frank Boehnlein, a 57-year-old tour and travel coordinator for a Jean casino. James captured about 61 percent of the votes; Boehnlein took 39 percent.

James, voted into the Senate District 8 seat in 1993, announced in May he would not seek re-election, saying he would rather spend more time with his family.

Two months later, the same day commission District F incumbent Erin Kenny announced her candidacy for lieutenant governor, James filed for Kenny's seat, which blankets much of his Senate district.

James became the lead commission candidate when he secured the endorsement of the Culinary Union, which supported Kenny throughout her tenure.

Culinary members' role in James' campaign proved key. The largely Democratic union persuaded 400 members to switch parties and vote for James in the primary election. James defeated opponent Tim Cory by 227 votes.

Reid, son of Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., sauntered through his race for the District G seat. Reid, who had no primary race, defeated Republican Robert Tauber by taking about 57 percent of the votes. Tauber received 38 percent of the votes and Independent American William Boyd Ballard III collected 5 percent.

Though Reid is a well-known name among most Nevada families and Rory is the former chairman of the state Democratic Party, the younger politician is entering his first foray as an elected official.

Most political experts believe Reid will use his stint on the board as a springboard to higher office.

John Hiatt, who has acted as chairman of the Enterprise Town Board for 12 years, said he, too, expects the board to be more congenial with the addition of Reid and James.

"I think that both of these people will be more tuned into the dynamics of the board as a whole and operate more as team players than the two commissioners they're replacing," Hiatt said.