Editorial: Our choices in this year’s county races

Monday, Oct. 21, 2002 | 9:18 a.m.

County Commission

A majority of the residents in County Commission District E in the central part of the Las Vegas Valley are senior citizens, and Commissioner Myrna Williams has served them well for two four-year terms. Under Williams' watch, the Cambridge Community Outreach Center in her district was expanded to include a swimming pool and large recreation center. The expansion included a health clinic as well, one that will treat patients even if they are uninsured. Williams has not neglected her younger constituents, either, having supported park upgrades and construction that included a skateboard facility. On a countywide level, Williams chairs the Las Vegas Valley Water District and the Debt Management Commission and serves on several other boards and committees. Since Williams joined the County Commission, zoning and other growth-related issues have been better mana ged. The Sun endorses Myrna Williams.

In County Commission District F, Republican Mark James is clearly the superior candidate. His 10 years in the Legislature, where he chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee, have prepared him well for service on the County Commission. A moderate Republican, James believes in protecting neighborhoods from intrusive zoning and in developing sound master plans that allow for intelligent growth. While in the Legislature, James, an expert on water issues, helped update the state's water laws. The Sun endorses Mark James.

Rory Reid is an excellent candidate for County Commission District G. An attorney and former chairman of the Nevada Democratic Party, Reid is knowledgeable on all the issues affecting Southern Nevada. The effectiveness of the County Commission is often compromised by personality clashes, but Reid has a well-deserved reputation as one who can achieve consensus while avoiding time-consuming clashes. Economic development, long a weakness of Clark County, would be one of Reid's priorities. He would lobby the state to provide the county with the power to grant tax incentives to businesses seeking to relocate here. The Sun endorses Rory Reid.

Assessor

In addition to having run a highly efficient department for the past 10 years, Clark County Assessor Mark Schofield has put together a government model for customer service. Members of the public who use the county assessor's office find that their questions are answered courteously, thoroughly and in a timely manner. This is important, as it is the assessor's office that values property for taxation purposes. The Sun endorses Mark Schofield.

Clerk

The county clerk's office issues marriage licenses and handles passport applications. The office also oversees records for the County Commission, District Court and Family Court. In 1998 Shirley Parraguirre, a Democrat, was elected clerk. In just four years she has done an excellent job in modernizing the office and making it customer-service oriented. For example, court case records can now be accessed online and Parraguirre is working to do the same for marriage license applications. The Sun endorses Shirley Parraguirre.

Recorder

The recorder's office is the county's repository of official public records such as those involving real property, mining claims and births, deaths and marriages. As such, it requires a recorder who has proven skills in managing property issues and large volumes of data. Frances Deane, the Republican candidate, has our nod in this race. Her many years of experience as a mortgage banker have provided the necessary background for this demanding job. Anita Springs, the Democratic candidate, is bright and energetic but her job as a free-lance paralegal does not parallel the responsibilities that are required of the county recorder. The Sun endorses Frances Deane.

Treasurer

Democrat Laura Fitzpatrick was appointed to the treasurer's position in 1998 to fill an unexpired term. Later that year she was elected to a four-year term and has proven herself to be a highly capable treasurer. Her many years of private accounting and financial experience, combined with her seven years as deputy state treasurer of Michigan, make her the ideal person to be trusted with receiving and investing Clark County's revenues. Fitzpatrick came in at a difficult time for Clark County but has restored the public trust, upgraded her department's technology and has increased the value of Clark County's investment portfolio. The Sun endorses Laura Fitzpatrick.

Public administrator

Although this office has a low public profile, it has an important function that requires a person of proven ability. The public administrator handles the property of people who have died and who have left no heirs or any heirs that can be immediately located. Democratic candidate Dan Ahlstrom has many years of public service in his background -- currently he is a chief deputy in the district attorney's office -- and he has learned valuable lessons from his range of experiences. He has our full confidence. The Sun endorses Dan Ahlstrom.