Past inquiry roils race for NLV mayor

North Las Vegas mayoral candidate and City Councilman William Robinson betrays no worry over the potential political ramifications of a 15-year-old FBI corruption investigation tied to him that surfaced early this month.

No charges were filed, and Robinson has denied any wrongdoing.

The 69-year-old mayor pro tem and seven-term councilman says he's never had an easy campaign, and this one is no different. So far, they've all gone in his favor.

"The end result is always the same," Robinson said earlier this month. "I wouldn't be running if I weren't confident."

Meanwhile, Robinson's opponent, City Councilwoman Shari Buck, 48, isn't letting voters forget about the investigation. Her campaign has distributed a mailer emphasizing the allegations about Robinson.

"I think it's fair for citizens to know who they are voting for," Buck said in an interview. "The rest is between him and the voters."

An FBI informant tied to the investigation of Robinson came forward, claiming the councilman accepted thousands of dollars in payments in the 1990s in exchange for agreeing to vote favorably on zoning matters.

Robinson said he was never questioned about any wrongdoing and was unaware the FBI had investigated him.

He accused Buck and her campaign of using "dirty tactics" to smear him before the election. Buck denied any involvement, and the FBI informant said he had never met Buck and had no contact with her campaign.

How news of the investigation will affect the nonpartisan race remains to be seen. Buck and Robinson so far have been neck-and-neck in terms of votes, with Buck defeating Robinson in April's primary municipal election by a mere 35 votes. Buck received 2,737 votes to Robinson's 2,702 votes.

In March, each posted contributions of nearly $150,000 in 2009 toward their campaigns, and both spent about $257,500 since January 2008.

Council members are paid about $41,830 a year plus a $500 monthly car allowance. North Las Vegas's mayor is paid about $47,890 a year plus a $600 car allowance.

Robinson said he has put the FBI controversy behind him and has faith that experience will win him the mayor's seat.

The retired high school counselor, who is sometimes called the "grandfather" of the council, first took office in 1983.

Since then, the city quadrupled in population and became one of the fastest-growing large cities in America. It is Nevada's fourth most populous city, with about 217,000 people.

Buck, a mother of four who is in the middle of her third term on the council, said she represents "the new image of North Las Vegas."

Whoever wins the nonpartisan mayor's post on June 2 -- Buck the Republican or Robinson the Democrat -- will do so at a difficult time for North Las Vegas.

The city, which -- like other municipalities -- has seen declining revenue during the recession, had to cut about $16 million from its 2008-09 budget and has left many vacant positions unfilled.

Robinson said he has been the more fiscally responsible of the two candidates, calling himself a "watchdog for taxpayer dollars."

He voted against the city's 2008-09 budget, saying he couldn't justify the budget's inclusion of 32 new full-time, non-public safety positions during rocky economic times.

Robinson also advocates postponing plans for a new water treatment facility in the city until the economy improves.

"We haven't tightened our belts enough," he said. "As many North Las Vegans as we have losing their homes, I don't think now is the time to add insult to injury" by spending unnecessarily.

But Buck said Robinson has gone too far.

"Let me tell you what voting against the budget means. It means voting against new police officers, firefighters, crossing guards, parks and recreation programs," Buck said. "It's voting against street repaving and library funding. It's telling people, 'You're paying taxes, but I'm not going to spend your money to provide programs and keep people safe.'"

The city has in fact been very frugal, Buck said, "but the city still has to be run."

She pointed out that a new wastewater plant is expected to save the city money in the long run.

Robinson's failure to support it now demonstrates his "old school" thinking, she said.

"I'm the one who represents the future."

But Robinson said there are three little words that make him the better choice for the city's next mayor.

"Experience, experience, experience."

Contact reporter Lynnette Curtis at lcurtis @reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0285.