Tuesday, March 25, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
CARSON CITY -- A "mystery car" with an Assembly license plate is piling up parking tickets at McCarran International Airport.
And it's causing headaches for two members of the Assembly.
"I cringe every time I see a state trooper come in," said Assemblywoman Merle Berman, R-Las Vegas. "I'm expecting him to take me in."
Assemblyman David Goldwater, D-Las Vegas, said he has had his share of grief, as well.
The car, a white Cadillac with the license plate of "Assembly 33," has picked up an estimated 54 parking tickets. Goldwater had the 33 license plate at the 1995 session, but he said he drives a black Chrysler, not a white Cadillac, and he has a free parking pass anyway.
Berman said her plate is "Assemblywoman 33" not "Assembly 33," and she doesn't drive a Cadillac.
Berman received phone calls telling her she's responsible for the tickets. She said at first she thought it was a joke, but now it's serious.
Loren Malkiewich, director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau, said Monday that anybody who sees the car should notify police. "This is a wonderful dodge to avoid tickets," he said.
He has checked back in prior sessions but the "33" plate was held by Northern Nevada lawmakers, including Assembly Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Minden, and Assistant Minority Leader Peter Ernaut, R-Reno.
"It's a mystery car," said Malkiewich, who speculated that someone could have obtained an old plate. But efforts to trace it have been unsuccessful.
Goldwater, who has a different license plate this session, said he's glad "Berman's got the headache now."
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