Caretaker proposed for council seat

Monday, May 3, 2004 | 9:51 a.m.

With so many qualified candidates to fill the Las Vegas Ward 2 City Council seat vacated last month by County Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald, Mayor Oscar Goodman is looking into the possibility of holding a special election.

Goodman said the City Council at Wednesday's meeting -- or later this month -- could appoint a "caretaker" who would agree not to seek election to the Ward 2 seat but represent its constituents until a special election determines a permanent representative. The council has until May 19 to fill the job.

"There is no clear-cut front-runner," Goodman said, noting that he had interviewed 17 Ward 2 hopefuls through Friday. "There are so many qualified people we cannot make a wrong decision. But I would just as soon put this into the hands of the voters of Ward 2 depending on the timetable and cost of holding a special election."

As it stands, a person permanently selected by the council this month would face election 13 months later. A special election, however, would take place much sooner.

City Clerk Roni Ronemus said she has contacted the Nevada secretary of state and Clark County Election Department to determine the feasibility and cost of a special Ward 2 election, which would be allowed under a 1997 law.

"All I can say now is that it is under review," Ronemus said. "Putting on a special election is quite a deal to be considered. It's just too premature to comment on when such an election can be held and what it would cost."

There is precedent for the city to pick a caretaker for an elected post. In January 2003 the City Council approved the selection of attorney Dayvid Figler to fill a vacancy in Municipal Court Department 6 on the condition he not run for the office. Then-Deputy District Attorney Abbi Silver won the seat in the June 2003 municipal elections.

City Councilman Larry Brown said he has interviewed 15 people, and each of them has expressed an interest in running in next year's municipal elections. Still, he said he believes he can support Goodman's plan for a special election.

"It certainly is an option as long as we can find someone who is qualified to serve just a few months in a caretaker's role," Brown said. "Things happen around here in a few days let alone a few months. We have to have someone in the (Ward 2) seat who will do a lot more than just take up space."

Brown said that while there are a lot of good candidates, "a top tier is forming." He said his questions to hopefuls have focused on the budget and growth.

Councilman Michael Mack, who was appointed to the council in November 1999, said he can relate to what the people who are seeking the Ward 2 seat are going through. He was elected to a four-year term in 2001

"I have interviewed between 15 and 18 people, and there are about a half-dozen very strong candidates," he said.

Among those being considered for the Ward 2 job: