Richard Charles Sipan, Henderson mayoral candidate

Thursday, March 19, 2009 | midnight

Age: 48

Campaign Web site: Pending

Party: Republican

Occupation: Attorney/arbitrator

Education: B.A., rhetoric, UC Berkeley; J.D., law, University of San Diego.

Time in Nevada: 22 years

Time in Ward: 12 years in Henderson

Issues: Ending the monthly car allowance for the mayor and council members, making zoning decisions for people and not developers, reducing the influence of monied interests, maintaining public safety and cutting the frills (e.g., parks and recreation, but not libraries).

Qualifications: I have a strong analytical ability, honed by an education in rhetoric and law; and over 20 years practicing law. The public good must prevail over personal or private profit. I will serve one four-year term only, so as to avoid pension vesting at five years. My main qualification is not being enmeshed in the insider political spoils system.

What sets you apart from your opponents: All of the other four mayoral candidates are either current council members, former council members or long-time government employees. As such, they know very well how to spend and how to tax.

The vast majority of my career has been in private industry as a tax payer, not a tax consumer. The other four are spending tens of thousands of dollars to get elected. I am campaigning on a tight budget because the city will be on a tight budget. I intend to cut expenditures.