Friday, August 27, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

CLARK COUNTY POLITICS: Cost of housing, security debated

Commission District D candidates discuss issues

From left, County Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates, and District D challengers Jesus Moreno and Joe Neal wait for the start of a TV debate that aired Thursday evening. Photo by John Locher.

Clark County Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates listed her accomplishments as a 12-year board member, and opponent state Sen. Joe Neal vowed to carry his battle against the gaming industry to the county level. And Jesus Moreno called for change in District D in the form of a 25-year-old, fresh-faced political newcomer.

In a Thursday debate hosted by KLVX-TV, Channel 10 moderator Mitch Fox, the three Democratic candidates discussed homeland security and a lack of affordable housing in Clark County.

Neal also addressed a question asked of panelists in the District B debate, which was filmed prior to the District D square-off. He said instead of increasing sales taxes for more police, the gaming industry should be taxed to fund more officers.

Atkinson Gates said that affordable housing is a county-wide problem. She said a lack of open land is driving up property costs and therefore housing prices.

"If we can work with the federal government to release more land, it would help solve the affordable housing problem," Atkinson Gates said.

Neal took the opportunity to accuse commissioners of catering to developers and allowing them to have their way with new master planned communities.

"The commission has to step up and say we have to have affordable housing here," said Neal, D-North Las Vegas. "Just tell developers this is what we want."

Fox questioned the panel about reports that Southern Nevada elected officials ignored federal warnings that Las Vegas was a terror target.

Atkinson Gates assured viewers that Clark County commissioners had no knowledge of a videotape seized from terror suspects that showed Strip resorts.

"That information was not shared with the County Commission," she said. "All that can be done is being done (to protect Las Vegas). If we are provided information, we would disseminate that information to the valley."

Neal said the county's top priority should be to stay on top of terrorist threats.

"Clark County has a responsibility to provide protection and security for the people," Neal said. "If they don't do that, the people can take them to court."

Moreno added, "Inform the public if you find out something is going to happen."

Fox asked the candidates how they would restore faith in government after the federal indictment of former commissioners and sitting District B Commissioner Mary Kincaid-Chauncey. Participants in the District B debate were not asked the question.

Moreno promised to steer clear of conflicts of interests by vowing that serving as a Clark County commissioner would be his only job.

"I would only work for the people of Clark County," Moreno said. "I will only collect one paycheck, and that paycheck will come from Clark County."

Neal said he too would not cater to special interest groups, but keep his attention on District D residents.

"I'm not beholden to special interest be it gaming or developers," Neal said. "I will try to do the people's business."

Commissioners have already taken steps to restore confidence in government by adopting more stringent ethics regulations, Atkinson Gates said.