James to lobby for trash company

Wednesday, April 2, 2003 | 10:56 a.m.

Republic Services of Southern Nevada, the company that has a monopoly on trash collection services in Clark County, has a new lobbyist in Carson City: Clark County Commissioner Mark James.

Republic Services has a lock on trash collecting throughout Southern Nevada. Some of the region's most prominent former office holders have worked for the company, but few sitting elected leaders are on Republic's payroll.

James, sworn in three months ago, said Tuesday that he has represented the company as an attorney for several years. He attended hearings in Carson City last week on taxes that could affect Republic. Since he was in the capital and could have been asked questions on the company's behalf, James decided he had a legal responsibility to register as a lobbyist.

"I think I followed the letter of the law," he said.

James said that if any issues affecting Republic's contract or work in the community come before the commission, he will abstain from the vote or conversation.

The county may have years to go before Republic's exclusive franchise to serve the unincorporated areas of Southern Nevada comes before the commission. According to the county's agreement with the company, Republic can hold onto the franchise until 2035.

Lee Haney, Republic spokeswoman, said she does not believe there will be any conflicts.

"Mark is an attorney and understands the legal implications," she said. "If any issues arose, he would recuse himself."

Paul Brown, Southern Nevada director of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, is not as understanding.

"Any time you have a sitting lawmaker who is a lobbyist, you have tons of problems with conflicts," Brown added.

The company, he said, "is one of the most well-connected companies in the state." Brown said it is among the largest campaign contributors at the local and state level in Nevada.

"There seems to be no end to their benevolence," he said.

Brown said issues affecting the company are likely to arise while James holds both his position as lobbyist and attorney for the company and county commissioner.

"They have all kinds of issues come up all the time, otherwise they wouldn't need to give those kind of contributions," Brown said.