James calling for government reforms

Friday, March 26, 2004 | 9:42 a.m.

Outgoing Clark County Commissioner Mark James said Thursday he believes reforms are necessary at the state and county levels of government, including better pay for lawmakers.

James also called for annual sessions of the Nevada Legislature because of growth issues that arise in the 18-month stretch between sessions during an appearance on "Face to Face with Jon Ralston," Cox Cable channels 1 and 19.

James also said legislators should serve full-time and said lawmakers' salaries should be increased so they can dedicate more time to serving the public.

At the county level, commissioners should serve full-time with an annual salary around $100,000, comparable to a district judge's pay, James said. Commissioners currently are paid about $60,000.

James announced on Monday that he would step down as a commissioner effective April 2, citing personal reasons.

He said he needs to spend more time with his father, John James, who served as the state climatologist for 30 years and is suffering from Parkinson's disease. He also said he will practice law and care for his family.

"This is something that was a very personal decision," James said during the program. "We struggled with it (the decision), we thought about it."

James, a Republican, said Las Vegas City Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald would be "a good choice" to replace him, as would bankruptcy attorney Tim Cory, who lost a close decision to James in the 2002 primary race for the county seat. Both Republicans have been named as possible replacements.

While Gov. Kenny Guinn must by law select a person from James' party, two Democrats, State Sen. Mike Schneider and Assemblyman David Goldwater have come forward as potential contenders to Guinn's choice in the November election.

Schneider, a resident of the district for 31 years, said today he is weighing either running for the County Commission versus a Senate re-election bid. He says his record, especially on homeonwer issues, is "rock solid" and that he would "bring stability" to the district.

Goldwater says he will run for the county commission job and "will bring my reputation for ethics and integrity" to the post. He sees proper land use as a key issue in his campaign.

Sun reporter

Ed Koch contributed to this story.