Sisolak draws fire for Laughlin town board picks

Steve Sisolak ignited a small-town furor hours after being sworn in as a Clark County commissioner.

Sisolak on Monday recommended four nominees he had handpicked for the Laughlin Town Advisory Board to replace four who were chosen in a straw poll conducted during the November election. His fellow commissioners granted his request.

The seemingly routine action riled many in this town of 8,600 residents.

Clark County commissioners have the authority to appoint town board members in their districts.

Critics say Sisolak had no right to override voters in a hamlet where he was soundly defeated. They accused him of loading the town board, which is supposed to be nonpartisan, with Democrats who backed him in the race.

"I think the town got jacked," said Cheryl Crow, 59, an eight-year town board member whom Sisolak removed. "Everybody down here is very upset about it."

Sisolak said he'd heard the straw polling was flawed, unfair and designed to keep longtime incumbents on a board that had grown stagnant.

"I'm a firm believer that new people deserve a chance," Sisolak said. "They have great ideas and a tremendous amount of energy."

Three of Sisolak's choices — John Geremia, Mike Bekoff and Yoko Allen — are active in the Democratic Party, while one pick, James Vincent, is a Republican. Novelt Mack, who was reappointed, also is a Republican.

Sisolak rejected Crow, Kathy Ochs, Ed Cooper and Jennifer Ursini, all of whom placed in the straw poll's top five.

He argued that if his predecessor, Bruce Woodbury, picked all Republicans as board members, then he engaged in partisanship.

Many people hate change, especially if they are used to wielding influence with town boards, he said.

Bekoff said Laughlin's town board has never had a Democrat.

"The Republicans have had a stranglehold," Bekoff said. "And now they are scared to death."

Contact reporter Scott Wyland at swyland@reviewjournal.com or 702-455-4519.