Editorial: District’s residents lose voice

Thursday, April 3, 2003 | 9:13 a.m.

Residents of Clark County's District F no longer have representation when it comes to issues involving Republic Services of Southern Nevada. That's because their county commissioner, former state Sen. Mark James, registered Monday with the Legislature as a paid lobbyist for the company that has a monopoly on trash hauling and recycling in the Las Vegas Valley. Its monopoly is granted and regulated by local governments, including Clark County.

James sees nothing wrong with joining Republic's payroll three months after being sworn in as a county commissioner. He says any conflict involving his public duties and his allegiance to Republic is easily resolved -- by simply abstaining from any discussion or vote involving the company. But James conveniently overlooks a salient point: His status as a paid lobbyist for Republic effectively disenfranchises his constituents. Four years ago the county extended the company's contract to 2035, but other issues involving trash removal frequently arise. It will now be pointless for James' constituents to contact him regarding their views about Republic, because he is committed to sitting silently during discussions and to pushing the abstain button on his electronic voting pad.

Many of James' constituents live in rural Goodsprings, Jean, Primm, Sandy Valley and Blue Diamond. It's not unusual for issues involving the location of garbage transfer stations to spring up in these areas. His constituents in urban Spring Valley may have issues with residential trash collection, such as schedules, noise and litter. Or they may have views on recycling or numerous other factors involved with trash collection. But now that James has gained an extra paycheck, they have lost their voice.