Robinson faces challenge in Ward 2 of North Las Vegas

Dan Kulin

Tuesday, March 18, 2003 | 9:14 a.m.

Age: 43.

Occupation: The WLB Group, director of operations.

Education: University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Endorsements: None so far.

William Robinson

Age: 62.

Occupation: City Councilman for past 20 years, retired Clark County School District schools success advocate.

Education: Mississippi Valley State University .

Endorsements: North Las Vegas Firefighters Local 1607, North Las Vegas Police Officers Association, Nevada Conference of Police and Sheriffs, Southern Nevada Labor Council, Citizens for Responsible Government, Clark County School Police,Nevada Highway Patrol Association, Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors, Nevada State Education Association, National Association of Theatrical and Stage Employees, and the Committee for Common Decency, Service Employees International Union Local 1107.

Howard Flebbe

Could not be reached for interview

William Robinson was first elected to the North Las Vegas City Council two decades ago, a fact that both Robinson and his main challenger are using as a key issue in their campaigns for Ward 2.

People look for doctors, home builders and money managers with experience, and they should bring the same thinking to the polls when choosing their council representative, Robinson said.

But challenger Nelson Stone, an engineer and member of the city's Planning Commission, contends that Robinson has been in office so long he has lost touch with residents.

Stone's argument could be effective if the challenger could show the incumbent is out of touch, said David Damore, an assistant political science professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

"There is that potential if Stone can make a good case," Damore said. "But he has got to be aggressive and attack the incumbent. Show why he shouldn't be returned to his job."

Robinson makes $22,691 a year plus a $300-a-month car allowance for the part-time position. Whoever is elected to the seat will get $35,017 plus a cost-of-living increase and a $500 monthly car allowance, when a pay increase approved in 2000 goes into effect for Ward 2.

It doesn't appear Stone will be launching an attack on Robinson's record, in which case the experience issue could work to Robinson's advantage, Damore said.

"Over 20 years he's probably built a good constituency and probably knows North Las Vegas pretty well," said Damore, who specializes in political campaigns.

Stone said his conviction that Robinson is disconnected from the voters comes mainly from the residents he's met on the campaign trail.

"A lot of the people I speak with don't know who he is, what he's done or what he stands for," Stone said. "He did a good job in his first, second and third terms, but he's at the end of the book here."

Robinson says he's heard similar criticisms before and says only the voters can decide whether he's been around too long.

"He can run his campaign and I'll run mine," Robinson said. "I've got nothing to say about his comments. I've heard it all before."

Robinson said to judge his tenure, voters should compare North Las Vegas now to the city in 1983.

"Anything that has happened in this city I have played an integral role in," Robinson said.

One of the more recent highlights, he said, was securing the release of 7,500 acres of federal land for private development.

If re-elected Robinson said he would work to recruit a large shopping mall and new car dealership to the city and continue redevelopment efforts in the older parts of the city.

Stone said he would try to attract new commercial and high-end residential development to North Las Vegas.

But Stone said he does not plan to attack Robinson in the campaign leading up to the April 8 primary, which begins with early voting Wednesday.

"The business of politics is somewhat distasteful. I plan to take the high road," Stone said. "I'm focusing more on me. ... But that could always change."

Howard Flebbe's name will also appear on the ballot. Flebbe did not return repeated telephone messages seeking comment.