ANSWERS: CLARK COUNTY:

Blue collars may set fashion pace in race to take over Reid’s seat

Sunday, July 19, 2009 | 2 a.m.

County Commission Chairman Rory Reid has not formally announced that he’s leaving the commission to run for governor, but people are lining up to replace him.

Among those expressing interest in Reid’s seat are a police officer, former plumber and a former cement truck driver.

Who is the former cement truck driver?

Ron Newell, a Democrat and member of the county Planning Commission for the past seven years.

Reid appointed Newell to the commission. Before that he served 11 years on the Paradise Town Board.

Newell, 69, has lived in Clark County since 1951 and drove cement trucks for decades. He is currently the resource manager of PSSI Global Services LLC, which he described as a satellite uplink company.

Why does he want the job?

“I was completely content to do the Planning Commission job for 12 years, but if Rory is moving on I think I’d do a good job stepping in. I know all the issues and could hit the ground running.”

Newell, who will announce his candidacy in early August, said transportation, education, police and fire services and the survival of University Medical Center would be his priorities.

Who is the police officer?

David Kallas, director of government affairs for the Police Protective Association, the union that represents Metro Police officers, is also considering a run for Reid’s seat.

Kallas — who said if he does announce it will be toward summer’s end — would run as a Republican. But he said party affiliation should not matter.

Why not?

“People want someone to go in there and make what they believe are good decisions,” Kallas said. “Regardless of political party or special interests, is it a good public policy or not?”

How would Kallas assure voters that he wouldn’t be beholden to the police union?

Kallas said that by the time the election rolls around next year, he will have retired. He will have 30 years with Metro in August.

In the legislative session that ended in June, Kallas pushed for but failed to get lawmakers to approve an amendment that would bar Las Vegas and Clark County officials from participating in the police contract bargaining sessions.

Who is the former plumber?

That’s Greg Esposito, 37, a Democrat who is also a member of the Planning Commission. Esposito is now director of marketing and research for Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 525.

Why does Esposito want the job?

“I’ve lived in County Commission District G or close to it since moving here in 1991,” said Esposito, who has served on the Paradise Town Board. “I feel the neighborhoods. I feel connected to the businesses, the neighborhoods. I’ve driven the streets for years now.”

Seems Esposito, given his union ties, is in a situation similar to Kallas’. How would he answer voters’ questions about his allegiance?

“Because I’m with the union I understand working families’ issues,” he said. “I also know firefighters and other public servants have a very difficult job. I would be fair.”

•••

The disappearance of 2 1/2-year-old Everlyse Cabrera three years ago from a foster home shocked county residents. On Tuesday, the Clark County Commission could end one aspect of the case by approving a $505,000 settlement.

Who is Everlyse Cabrera?

She is a foster child who vanished June 20, 2006, from the home of foster parents Manuel and Vilma Carrascal. The Carrascals told North Las Vegas police the girl had let herself out of the house in the middle of the night.

The girl’s biological parents, Ernesto Cabrera and Marlena Olivas, filed suit against the foster parents and Clark County Family Services. In 2007, the Carrascals were dropped from the suit after the birth parents agreed to a $300,000 settlement paid by the county’s foster parent insurer.

How is this settlement with the county going to be divided?

If Everlyse is found, $250,000 will be paid to her before her 25th birthday, in 2029.

If she is not found by then, the money will revert back to Clark County.

What about the rest of the money?

Here’s the breakdown:

• $75,000 to attorneys representing Everlyse.

• $35,000 to Everlyse’s sibling.

• $35,000 to the Child Focus scholarship fund.

• $25,000 for an investigator to look for Everlyse.

• $22,500 each to Everlyse’s biological parents.

• $25,000 to the parents’ attorneys.

• $15,000 to the North Las Vegas Police Department to post as a reward for information about her disappearance. If no one claims the reward by Everlyse’s 25th birthday, the money will go to the Child Focus scholarship fund.