Friday, May 23, 2003 | 5:59 a.m.
WEEKEND EDITION
May 25, 2003
Today the Las Vegas Sun offers its endorsements and thoughts on races in the municipal elections and on the library district's bond issue.
Ballot question
The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District is asking voters (except those in North Las Vegas, Henderson and Boulder City, which have their own library districts) to approve a $50.6 million bond issue. The bond issue would be paid off through property taxes over 30 years at the average rate of $8.82 a year for every $100,000 of a home's value. In two phases, new libraries would be built in Mesquite, the far northwest community of Centennial Hills, on Lamb Boulevard in the eastern part of the Las Vegas Valley and at Compass Point in southwest Clark County. These are fast-growing areas whose need for increased library services is readily apparent. We support the bond issue because libraries are among the most heavily used public services in the valley. Adults and children alike are using local libraries in record numbers, and if our quality of life is to be preserved, library construction must keep pace with our growth. Vote yes on the library bond.
Las Vegas
Councilman Michael McDonald has served two terms and his record is one of accomplishment and blemish. He has had high-profile ethical lapses, with both the city and state ethics boards finding him guilty of violations. But he has been successful in bringing needed jobs to his ward through redevelopment and has boosted programs for youths and senior citizens. His opponent, nurse Janet Moncrief, has little knowledge of city government and her campaign tactics have included automated phone calls to Ward 1 residents saying that McDonald's campaign workers were dangerous thugs. The person she hired to handle her telephone campaigning, Tony Dane, has a history of questionable campaign tactics. We can see no clear-cut choice here, so the Sun offers no endorsement. Both candidates say their campaigns have reached nearly every voter in the ward, and if so the voter s will have a basis for deciding.
In Department 1 of Municipal Court, Toy Gregory has compiled a 20-year record as an excellent Municipal Court judge. His opponent, attorney Denise McCurry, is a worthy candidate and one well qualified for public service in the future. But Gregory's record has earned him another term. We endorse Toy Gregory.
In the Department 6 race for municipal judge, Clark County prosecutor Abbi Silver is the best choice. Since 1990 she has consistently earned her reputation as a first-rate prosecutor. In addition to her numerous high-profile cases, she has handled thousands of misdemeanors, giving her ample knowledge of the typical caseload seen in Municipal Court. Her opponent, Bill Henderson, is experienced mostly in family law. We endorse Abbi Silver.
Boulder City
The mayor's race pits incumbent Bob Ferraro against former Councilman Bill Smith. Ferraro has been politically active in Boulder City for 27 years. There have been times when his judgment has been questioned -- such as his support three years ago for midterm pay raises, which voters repealed after Smith made an issue of them -- but overall he has served well. Smith serves a vital role as a town critic. But Ferraro's many years of leadership in preserving Boulder City's small-town charm outweighs any day-to-day criticism. We endorse Bob Ferraro.
Altogether there are four candidates for the two seats on the ballot for Boulder City Council. In addition to two-term incumbent Bryan Nix, there are two other well-qualified candidates, lifelong resident and businessman Roger Tobler and five-year resident Karla Burton, an attorney. Nix has more experience and serves on many regional boards, including the Regional Transportation Commission. All three candidates are bright and knowledgeable. With very little separating them in terms of the issues, Boulder City would be well served if any two of them win.
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