Twelve candidates in Ward 2 raise $380,000

Sito Negron

Wednesday, June 16, 2004 | 11:19 a.m.

These polls for early voting for the special election to fill the Ward 2 seat on the Las Vegas City Council will be open:

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the City Clerk's office in City Hall 400 E. Stewart Ave.

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday at the Veterans Memorial Leisure Services Cente, 101 S. Pavilion Center Drive

9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday at Vons, Rampart and Charleston boulevards.

The public is going to spend an estimated $80,000 to produce the special June 22Las Vegas City Council Ward 2 election, but that's peanuts compared with the amount of money donated to candidates as of Thursday.

The 12 candidates raised about $380,000 by Thursday, according to records filed Tuesday with the Las Vegas City Clerk's office. The four candidates who raised the most in contributions gathered about $330,000 of the total.

The amount of contributions, and their source, "doesn't surprise me, and I would hope they (candidates) would have the integrity to care about people more than where the money came from," said Barb Stevens, a Ward 2 voter who was at a candidates' forum Tuesday night at the West Sahara Library.

Much of the money given was from developers and lawyers and went to candidates Ric Truesdell, Bob Genzer and Steve Wolfson.

"I don't know if it gives me an advantage, but I'm very grateful to the many people who have donated," said Wolfson, who took in the most, $105,779 in contributions and in-kind donations. Wolfson, a lawyer, drew heavily from other attorneys.

"I'm a lawyer and I know a lot of lawyers," Wolfson said. He said most of those who contributed to his campaign would not appear before the council, and drew a distinction with "those types of contributors who have matters before council on a regular basis."

Both Genzer, who is on leave from his city job as planning director, and Ric Truesdell, who has submitted a letter of resignation for his position as chairman of the Planning Commission, received thousands of dollars from developers.

"I've received contributions from a lot of sectors of the community," said Truesdell, who raised $79,726. "It's their commitment to believing I can do a good job and represent the interests of Ward 2 rather than specific developers' interests. People want a qualified candidate to be there."

Genzer, who took in $67,756, said, "If you talked to any of the developers who contributed to me, you're going to get the same reasons why: the fairness I display in working with them, which is no different when dealing with a homeowner or a homeowners' group. That's the way I tried to shape my career."

He said the donations would not affect him either as an office-holder or as planning director, should he fail to win the election.

"I don't think it changes anything. That's something I discussed with the city manager before I got into this race," Genzer said. "We (planners) make recommendations based on what the code says you can and cannot do ... I have no intention of doing anything any differently from the way I've always done it, no matter who has given me money."

The other candidates pulled in donations of varying amounts.

Nevada Stupak drew $30,980, including $4,000 from his father, gaming figure Bob Stupak. Joanne Levy reported $77,476, much of it loans from herself, and Steve Greco reported $2,858. John Hambrick reported slightly more than $8,000, and Gabriel Lither reported $5,326. Margarita Rebollal reported $2,876, Duane Stephens reported $975.66, and Forouzeh Forouzmand reported $650.

The candidates are hoping to secure a $40,000-a-year part-time job to be one of seven votes on the Las Vegas City Council. In addition to the council duties, members are appointed to serve on various regional bodies regulating water, flood control and transportation.

Some contributors hedged their bets. Truesdell, Genzer and Wolfson all received a similar $500 donation from Third Street Promenade LLC.

The candidates did not discuss money during the Tuesday night forum, although there were some veiled references to "insiders."

About 75 people -- many supporters of specific candidates -- showed up in a cramped room at the Sahara West Library for the discussion, in which each candidate gave a three-minute speech. That was followed by a question-and-answer session.

The candidates generally repeated themes they've honed in the short campaign. For example, Lither emphasized his role in the fight to keep Red Rock Station to about 200 feet, instead of the original 300-foot proposal.

Greco said he would be a full-time, on-call City Council member and emphasized his community involvement. Levy spoke of her experience as a Realtor.

Genzer spoke of his planning expertise, knowledge of the ward and ability to move right into the council seat and begin working with no learning curve, a theme Truesdell also delivered.

Wolfson talked of his desire to help frame the city response to issues of growth, crime and traffic.

He delivered the line of the evening, in an answer to a question about whether he'd be independent, given the strength of Mayor Oscar Goodman on the council. Professing his admiration for the mayor, Wolfson then said, "If Mayor Goodman needs a challenge, I'm the one to do it."