Candidates deal with sign issues

By Emily Richmond

Friday, Sept. 3, 2004 | 9:39 a.m.

Clark County School Board candidate Ryan Devins plans to spend his Labor Day weekend adding the word "Elect" to the 100 campaign signs he has posted around northwest Las Vegas.

Devins' signs currently read "Ryan Devins, Clark County School Board, District E." Challengers are required to use the word "elect" or "for" in all campaign literature so as not to create the impression that they are incumbents, said Steve George, spokesman for the Secretary of State's office.

The District E incumbent is Denise Brodsky, who will face three challengers in Tuesday's primary: Devins, Frank Albano and Les Pierres Streater.

Devins said Thursday he was unaware of the state regulation and would correct the situation by adding stickers with the word "elect" on them to his signs.

Albano has publicly criticized his opponent's campaign signs. He also filed a complaint with Metro Police alleging that other candidates, in both the School Board race and contests for other offices, have deliberately covered up or removed his campaign signs.

One of Albano's campaign signs has drawn considerable attention. At the intersection of Alta Drive and Rampart Boulevard, passers-by are greeted by a photograph of Albano posing with Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman.

The photograph has left some people wondering whether Albano has the mayor's endorsement. But in a written statement Thursday, Goodman said that is not the case.

"I am not endorsing Frank and he knows it," Goodman said. "The picture was taken, as are many, at a public event."

Albano, a retired substitute teacher, said the mayor gave his permission to use the photograph in his campaign.