Time to mend fences with the ‘status quo’

Saturday, Aug. 19, 2006 | 7:27 a.m.

A blistering primary contest left Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani standing as the victorious Democratic candidate in Clark County Commission District E.

But the primary's heat might have burned some bridges.

Although she's likely to coast to an easy victory in the heavily Democratic district against a relatively unknown Republican opponent, Joe Thibodeau, in the general election, some of her campaigning this fall will have to be directed at her future colleagues on the board.

Privately, some commissioners have said Giunchigliani's attacks on Commissioner Myrna Williams angered members of the commission.

Those attacks included a last-minute flier that said Williams had been investigated by the FBI as part of the G-Sting investigation that resulted in convictions or guilty pleas for former commissioners Erin Kenny, Dario Herrera and Mary Kincaid-Chauncey. Another former commissioner, Lance Malone, is scheduled for trial next month.

Williams has never been charged with any wrongdoing and has never been named as a suspect.

Nevertheless, Giunchigliani pounded Williams throughout the race, saying she should have known that fellow commissioners were being bribed, but that she turned a blind eye instead. Giunchigliani also has suggested that the "status quo" needs to be challenged on the board.

Though directed at Williams, those charges also easily apply to other commissioners, some of whom are taking it personally.

"I am very disappointed by the tactics she utilized against my colleague," said Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald.

"We have a very collegial group here," she said. "She is going to have to learn to get along with people. This is not the Nevada Legislature. She'll have to count to four, like anyone else."

Another commissioner said privately: "People were very upset by what she said, and they took it personally."

Election night revealed a glimpse of the divide, when Tom Collins was the only commissioner who attended Giunchigliani's victory party.

Commissioners Boggs McDonald, Rory Reid and Yvonne Atkinson Gates attended Williams' post-election gathering instead.

Giunchigliani said she has spoken with several members of the commission since Tuesday's primary.

"I was only running against Myrna Williams," she said. "I believe you have to work together, and I've always been known for doing so in the Legislature I know I have to learn the ropes, and I will do that."

Giunchigliani's rocky reception by other commissioners might be an indication of what is to come.

"I imagine she'll shake it up a bit," said David Damore, a UNLV political scientist. "She was so outspoken about issues in the Assembly. Now that she is one of seven, it will be interesting to see how that comes off."

Giunchigliani's approach on several fronts might contribute to that "shake-up."

For one, she says commission meetings can seem "rehearsed."

"I think politicians got used to making deals behind closed doors," she said.

She wants to make the process more open and suggests the commission consider holding more evening meetings to allow working residents to attend. She also wants to look at allowing public comment before commissioners vote on important issues such as appointing a county manager or family services director.

"The public should have input before we cast that kind of vote," she said.

She also has painted herself as an independent outsider in her campaign literature.

One touted, "Chris Giunchigliani isn't cut out to be one of the good ol' boys." Another showed her standing, arms crossed, in front of a towering hotel or condo development. "If I wouldn't vote to put it in my back yard, I won't vote to put it in yours," the mailer said.

It's part of her philosophy that residents come first, developers second.

"Developers were worried" about Giunchigliani winning the primary, said Frank Schreck, a lawyer who represents development and gaming interests.

Giunchigliani "is very much pro-homeowner's association as opposed to pro-homebuilder," said Schreck, a longtime Williams adviser and fundraiser. "There is concern if, before they even see an issue, she is going to support people against a development if some community members don't like it."

That's part of what makes Giunchigliani's primary victory so rare. She did it with virtually no financial support from the valley's two biggest power-brokers - developers and Strip casinos.

Some say her attitude about putting residents' interests above those of developers might result in an alliance with Collins.

"I think Tom has a particular philosophy that developers might not be used to," said Dan Hart, a veteran Democratic political consultant. "He is very sensitive to the suburban versus rural ways of life and, if possible, he tries to preserve that."

The pair's similar philosophies might make them a natural team when a controversial development issue comes before the board.

"I think Tom makes people look for a compromise, as well they should," Giunchigliani said.

Collins also is a client of Giunchigliani's husband, political consultant Gary Gray. Gray is listed as the resident agent for a political action committee Collins started, Nevadans for the American Dream.

Finally, Giunchigliani and Collins share similar views on labor issues.

Collins was seen as so pro-labor by his colleagues that they removed him from the Metro Police Fiscal Affairs Committee last year when negotiating a contract with the police union.

"That was wrong what they did to Tom," Giunchigliani said.

She received almost $57,000 in campaign contributions from organized labor this year, and the national office of the union representing county employees sent out mail hit pieces against Williams.

Although her election might shift the board's philosophy in a pro-labor, pro-homeowner direction, most political observers say any change will be incremental rather than dramatic.

"One person doesn't change the board overnight," Hart said.

And while Giunchigliani is known for her outspoken and aggressive style, most political observers say she is too smart to ostracize herself.

"She is just too smart to just be an obstructionist," Schreck said.

Giunchigliani said better communication upfront with homeowners and developers, for example, will prevent a showdown in commission chambers.

"I don't go looking for conflict, but I won't back down from it, either," she said. "My style is, I am a consensus builder, but if I believe strongly in something, I will push for it."