Las Vegas Council votes for special election to replace Wolfson
Add a long-distance call to Hawaii to the expenses for holding a special election in Las Vegas.
The City Council on Wednesday called departing Councilman Steve Wolfson on vacation in Hawaii to break a 3-3 split over how to find a replacement for his Ward 2 seat.
Mayor Carolyn Goodman, Councilman Steve Ross, Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Stavros Anthony wanted to hold a special election to replace Wolfson, who was recently appointed Clark County district attorney.
Councilman Bob Coffin, Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian and Councilman Ricki Barlow wanted to appoint a replacement until Wolfson's term ends in 2013.
The pro-election members said the people of the ward should choose their council person, even if it costs the city $75,000 or more to hold the election. Special election opponents have cited cost concerns as another reason for making an appointment.
"I can't see any better way to spend taxpayer dollars than to let people voice their opinion and elect their representative," Anthony said.
The pro-appointment members said holding an election in 30 days, the legally mandated timetable, would favor candidates with the money and organization to start campaigning right away.
"It is the people who may have the advantage of money," Tarkanian said.
Pro-appointment members raised the possibility that former state Sen. Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas, could hold down the job as a "caretaker" until the next election, although City Attorney Brad Jerbic said there is no way to make binding an agreement not to run for a seat.
Once it became clear the council was split, Jerbic used a mobile phone to call Wolfson during his Hawaiian getaway.
After listening to the arguments, Wolfson said he would support a special election, helping Goodman narrowly avert being on the losing side of a high-profile council vote.
"I strongly believe and comfortably believe that the selection of our next councilman should be the product of a special election," Wolfson said.
City Clerk Beverly Bridges said the city will publish a notice Sunday, hold candidate filing on Tuesday and Wednesday and hold the special election on March 20. It will be open to registered voters in Ward 2.
Already several people have stepped forward to say they plan to run for the seat. The position has a salary of $72,742.
Contact reporter Benjamin Spillman at bspillman@ reviewjournal.com or 702-229-6435.
SPECIAL ELECTION: MARCH 20
The special election for Las Vegas City Council Ward 2 will be held on March 20, with early voting taking place March 15 and 16.
Registered voters in the ward can file for the seat from 8 a.m. Feb. 21, through 5 p.m. Feb. 22, in the city clerk's office in the new City Hall, 495 S. Main St.
City residents living in the ward who have not yet registered to vote but who wish to cast a ballot in the special election can register in person in the city clerk's office through March 3.
