Sun Editorial:

Choices in North Las Vegas

Voters head to the polls to elect new mayor, City Council member and judge

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 | 2:06 a.m.

The June 2 election in North Las Vegas features races for mayor, the Ward 3 City Council seat and a Municipal Court judgeship in Department 2.

With Mayor Mike Montandon stepping aside because of term limits, veteran council members Shari Buck and William Robinson are seeking to succeed him for the next four years.

In past races, we’ve supported them both. In this contest, voters will have to decide which of the two candidates has the best vision, ideas and imagination to take the city forward.

Robinson is familiar with the inner workings of the city. But we are concerned that he has not been forthcoming about recently disclosed information about a 1994 FBI probe involving him. Although he was not prosecuted, he has refused to publicly discuss the matter. Whether the allegations are true or false, he is running for mayor, and he should have addressed them.

Buck has a good grasp of all the major issues a mayor is likely to face, and she has benefited from membership on the Southern Nevada Water Authority board and Regional Transportation Commission. We also like that she would be willing to use the office to perform more outreach to residents who feel ignored by the city, and would seek to diversify the North Las Vegas economy through enterprise zones and other incentives.

The Sun endorses Shari Buck for mayor.

The race to fill the open Ward 3 council seat for a four-year term is between Anita Wood and Angelo Carvalho.

Wood, who successfully fought a proposed incompatible development in her neighborhood, parlayed that activism into deeper involvement in city issues. She has since served on many of the city’s most significant boards and committees, including those dealing with planning and utilities. She also has been involved in housing, police and library issues, giving her a well-rounded civic resume.

Carvalho has been active in the community. A member of the city planning commission, he is a small-business owner who served in Iraq. But we give the edge to Wood for her vision and familiarity with city issues.

The Sun endorses Anita Wood to represent Ward 3.

Incumbent Municipal Judge Sean Hoeffgen faces attorney Marsha Kimble-Simms in Department 2. Hoeffgen has done a capable job and is on the right track. For instance, we’re glad he created Night Court sessions.

The Sun endorses Sean Hoeffgen for Department 2.

Discussion: 4 comments so far…

By neiman1

5/26/09 at 9:53 a.m.

Suggest removal

Why are the only items in the Sun that do NOT allow comments the ones from Brian Greenspan? Today he comments on the President's visit but wants no comments on how the rest of us fee. He seems to have plenty of far left opinions but will tolerate no dissent from the readers.
By Sassyfrolet

5/26/09 at 1:43 p.m.

Suggest removal

Hmmm so the Sun endorses Buck because Robinson refuses to give them a news story? I guess if I were trying to sell papers then I would be upset too.
By boftx

5/26/09 at 4:12 p.m.

Suggest removal

I would like this a lot better if more details were given about the candidates positions on past and current issues. It is hard enough to figure that out for major races, almost impossible for local ones. The race for Ward 3 is a good example, the piece above gives no substantive information to help us make a decision.

It would be ideal if the paper were to publish the voting records of all candidates where such are available.
By tbvegas

5/26/09 at 6:05 p.m.

Suggest removal

Just confirms my vote. The candidates Not endorsed by the Sun.

Robinson has a much better sense of what is going on in NLV. Robinson is also NOT endorsed by the 100K NLV firefighters. If the sun and firefighters want Buck, then you know its time to vote for Robinson