Political flier may open war in county race

A "disgusting" campaign flier mailed to residents in the northeast not only was the first hit piece in what is expected to be a vicious Clark County Commission race, but it has further intensified a rift between acting board members.

Black-and-white photographs of disabled, badly burned and sickly children lead up to the flier's pointed message: "Commissioner Mary Kincaid said we don't need a 'Taj Mahal of a hospital' for sick kids."

The mailer was sponsored by the Culinary Union, which has endorsed Kincaid's opponent in the September Democratic primary -- North Las Vegas City Councilwoman Stephanie Smith.

Kincaid said Wednesday she received phone calls from constituents in District B who were sickened by the images.

She too was appalled at the tactics used by Smith's supporters.

"It's disgusting and repulsive to exploit these kids, especially when they know (the message) isn't true," Kincaid said. "I've had to learn how to have a thick skin, but this penetrated. This really hurt me.

"I look at this and say, 'Is this the kind of people we want running the government?' It gives me more resolve to win the election, because this is not right."

The flier stems from a May vote in which the majority of the Clark County Commission opted not to support board member Erin Kenny's proposal to build an $80 million freestanding children's hospital.

Commissioners, including Kincaid, suggested the county conduct a needs assessment study before putting a bond-issue question on the November ballot. They said if a study showed a need, the issue could be placed on Las Vegas' June 2001 ballot.

"My point was what good is a Taj Mahal of a building if we don't have the personnel to take care of the children?" Kincaid said. "Maybe we would rather spend the money on the care of the children."

Commissioners believed Kenny sprung the children's hospital proposal on them without giving them enough time to study the issue.

Kincaid said Wednesday that Kenny, who is a close friend of Smith, told her she would regret her decision to vote against the bond issue.

The Culinary Union turned against Kincaid after she voted against another of Kenny's proposals -- an ordinance that banned nonunion Wal-Mart from building one of its supercenter stores in Clark County.

Culinary Union officials did not return a phone message Wednesday.

Kincaid said Kenny has been angry with her since she refused to support Kenny's attempt to oust Clark County Manager Dale Askew. And, she said, Kenny convinced Smith to run against her in the primary.

"We've disagreed on issues, but those are just issues. I thought she was a friend," Kincaid said. "When I asked her why she was looking for someone to run against me, she said, 'I really like you personally but I need someone who thinks and votes like I do.'"

Kenny claimed she actually discouraged Smith from running for a commission seat, saying she would have to give up too much. The commissioner also denied that she ever told Kincaid she would regret her vote on the hospital, although she strongly believes it was the wrong decision.

"Elected officials have to stand by their votes," Kenny said. "If she feels strong and proud about the vote she made, she should stand by it."

Smith, who in the brochure is pictured in color with healthy children, said she had yet to see the flier. But she disagreed with Kincaid's vote against placing the children's hospital on the ballot.

"The issue is that this was a vote for the people," Smith said. "The community should have a right to make that decision."

Kincaid said aside from the graphic images, she was particularly taken aback by the message that she doesn't care about children.

Aside from her own eight children, Kincaid has cared for 22 foster children. She said if parents offered their consent, she would take in troubled teenage runaways.

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