Primary tie delays campaigns in North Las Vegas Ward 2

Linda Meisenheimer burned a lot of shoe leather while campaigning to make it to the general election for North Las Vegas' Ward 2. She also got lucky.

She tied Tanya Flanagan for second place in the primary, and they had to draw cards to decide who would advance to the general election to face Pamela Goynes-Brown for the City Council seat. Meisenheimer won with a king of diamonds to Flanagan's five of diamonds.

The whole experience was surreal, Meisenheimer said, and put her a few weeks behind Goynes-Brown in terms of fundraising and campaigning. It's hard to raise funds when you're not sure you're going to be in the race.

Goynes-Brown also found the delay difficult because she didn't know who her opponent would be.

Both candidates are now forging ahead, each insisting she is the best person to replace term-limited Councilman William Robinson.

The general election is June 7. Early voting begins Wednesday at City Hall, and at other locations on Saturday, and extends through June 3. Also up for election are North Las Vegas City Council Ward 4 and Municipal Judge Dept. 1.

Whoever is elected will join the council at a difficult time for the cash-strapped city, which in recent years has undergone several rounds of budget cuts, service reductions and layoffs. The city is facing a $22.6 million shortfall for fiscal year 2012.

Goynes-Brown, an assistant principal, said her professional and educational experience makes her the better choice.

"I deal with over 900 families on a daily basis," she said. "I have experience looking at budgets and making decisions for the best possible way to spend money. I am good at managing people."

She has said she would work to get the city a larger share of the state's tax revenue. City officials have long argued North Las Vegas doesn't get its fair share.

She also would support offering incentives, such as helping with moving and start-up costs, to get businesses to come to the city.

When asked whether she believes the city's employee unions have given enough concessions to help save jobs, Goynes-Brown said it would be difficult to comment before being in the seat.

"When I'm there I can know all the ins and outs and can better answer that question," she said.

Goynes-Brown has said her family's legacy helped influence her to run . She is the daughter of Theron Goynes, who spent 20 years on the council.

She holds a bachelor's degree in music education from Prairie View A&M University in Texas. She also holds a master's degree in elementary education from Nova Southeastern University in Florida.

Meisenheimer, who moved to Nevada from Chicago, is a property manager and 10-year resident of North Las Vegas . She also cites her father's influence among the reasons she chose to run for office. Her father, Bob Borgersen, is a community activist who often speaks at City Council meetings.

While campaigning, she has become increasingly concerned about the number of foreclosures in the ward, Meisenheimer said. If elected, she would work to establish a city registry to track the banks who own the foreclosed homes, holding them more accountable for maintaining the properties. Now they are often just boarded up, she said.

"That brings down the value of the rest of the homes," she said.

Meisenheimer said she would like to see the city's police and fire unions "offer a little more" in terms of concessions to help save jobs.

"I have a great deal of respect for our police and firemen, and we'd be lost without them. But something's got to give," she said.

Meisenheimer does not want to see any public safety jobs cut, however. Instead, she would like to see city employees agree to a small pay cut to help the city.

"No one wants to take a pay cut," she said. "But there are a lot of people out there who are going back to work at half the pay and are grateful."

Meisenheimer was president of her local and regional Parent Teacher Association in Chicago and on the board of the district and state PTA. Here, she serves the community through her church.

North Las Vegas City Council members serve four-year terms and are paid $41,827 a year.

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