Segerblom top spender among candidates for School Board

Friday, Sept. 3, 2004 | 9:30 a.m.

In the race for a seat on the Clark County School Board, attorney Richard Segerblom leads in spending, having shelled out nearly $24,000 leading up to Tuesday's primary.

Segerblom's total easily exceeded the other candidates in all four of the School Board seat races on the ballot. He has also collected the most contributions thus far -- $30,350, according to a report filed with the secretary of state.

The closest second was incumbent District E member Denise Brodsky, who has spent $9,169 as of this week. She has raised $17,000 in cash.

Segerblom is one of six candidates challenging incumbent Shirley Barber for the District C seat. Barber has raised $10,600 in contributions and spent $1,486.

Much of Segerblom's expenses have been for signs, mailers and door hangers, he said Thursday.

Even if he's not elected, Segerblom said he plans to lobby the 2005 Legislature to raise the pay for School Board members from the current rate of $80 per meeting.

"It's not enough money for the responsibilities that come with the job, and the low pay discourages good people from applying," said Segerblom, who has represented numerous school employees in suits against the district.

Candidates were required to submit their campaign contributions and expenses reports by Tuesday, Registrar of Voters Larry Lomax said. Reports are also due Oct. 26 and Jan. 15, 2005.

In the two-person race for the District A seat, incumbent Mary Beth Scow has raised $7,800 and spent $1,785. Her challenger, businessman Isaac Farrell, said Thursday he is waiting to spend the $4,500 he has collected in contributions.

"Fortunately I don't have to worry about the primary," said Farrell, who, along with Scow, will automatically advance to the November ballot. "I'm saving what I have for when it can do the most good."

Farrell said he received $2,000 from The Clark County Education Association, which represents the majority of the School District's teachers, and $2,500 from George Mehocic, a local developer.

Mehocic also gave $2,500 to Ryan Devins, a candidate for the District E seat, and Lester Lewis, who is running for the District B seat. Farrell, Devins and Lewis, along with District C candidate Tammy Green, are running as the "Operation Education" slate. The group has vowed to dismantle the current School Board's management system and replace Superintendent Carlos Garcia.

Devins said he was contacted by Mehocic after a newspaper article appeared about the slate. Mehocic could not be immediately reached for comment.