Theory linking Bisch, Walters hangs on

Maybe it is an unfounded conspiracy theory; maybe it is an honest-to-goodness plot. The question remains, though: Did a former fundraising heavyweight with political baggage secretly try to help unseat one of his nemeses?

Throughout the campaign that led up to her April re-election, Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian maintained that her opponent, Las Vegas police officer Laurie Bisch, was backed by developer Bill Walters. Tarkanian was a chief opponent of Walters' attempt to get the city to sign off on his plan to build 1,200 homes next to a sewage treatment plant.

But when the list of contributors and expenses was released before April's primary election, there was no sign of Walters or his companies donating to Bisch. Vindication for Bisch and Walters?

Not so fast, Tarkanian supporters said.

They pointed to tens of thousands of dollars Jack Binion and his family members contributed to Bisch, saying Walters might have pushed him to donate the money.

Now, a Tarkanian supporter points to a passage from John L. Smith's recent book, "Bluegrass Days, Neon Nights."

"Jack and Billy are best friends now, and they got to know each other well on the golf course," Smith wrote in the book, published in 2006. "They remain close to this day."

Binion has declined to comment through his attorney. Walters has denied any involvement.

Bisch, meanwhile, maintains that she got to know the Binion family when the company she owns cleaned up a lot owned by the family. That was well before she ran for City Council, she said.

MAYORS GO GREEN

Last month, mayors from all over the country met and signed an agreement on climate change, among them four Nevadans.

Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, Reno Mayor Bob Cashell and Sparks Mayor Geno Martini were all signers of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, which commits cities to take action against global warming on the local level and to urge the federal government to act as well.

The pact, a project of Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, now has been signed by 522 mayors from all 50 states, representing 65 million people.

Dan Geary, Nevada spokesman for the National Environmental Trust, said that while large-scale federal action is what's really needed on the issue, local governments can do their part by constructing energy-efficient municipal buildings or converting municipal vehicles to alternative fuels, for example.

Cashell said in a prepared statement, "I feel a great sense of duty to protect our environment for the generations to follow."

DEBATE DRUMBEAT

The national attention that was lavished on New Hampshire over the weekend as Democratic presidential candidates gathered for a debate will come Nevada's way later this year when the state Democratic Party hosts a presidential debate at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The Nov. 15 debate's chances of success increased recently when the Democratic National Committee chose it as one of six debates officially sanctioned by the party.

With multiple states and organizations vying for candidates' attention, the party sought to make it easier for candidates to figure out which were worth their time and which they could ignore safely.

"This debate will be held in the thick of the race for the Democratic nomination, and all eyes will be on Nevada," the state party's chairwoman, Jill Derby, said in a prepared statement.

"We look forward to working with CNN to create a debate that will help Nevadans see where Democratic candidates stand on the issues important in this state and throughout the West."

The debate is scheduled to be broadcast live on CNN and simulcast on CNN en Español.

The Clark County Democratic Party has scheduled its annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner to piggyback on the debate, putting it on Nov. 16 and letting candidates know they're welcome to come.

That ought to create a draw for an event that the party helpfully points out is its "largest fundraiser of the year."

ENSIGN AIDE HONORED

A Las Vegas staffer for Sen. John Ensign has been honored by the U.S. Senate for 12 years of service.

Paulette Simpson, a 57-year-old Oklahoma native, was working in payroll for a Las Vegas hospital many years ago when a friend told her that then-Sen. Chic Hecht was looking for a receptionist. She was hired and has been working for politicians ever since.

Simpson went to work for Ensign when he was a member of the House of Representatives. When Ensign lost his first Senate bid in 1998, she worked for then-Rep. Jim Gibbons for two years, then returned to Ensign's employ when he was elected to the Senate in 2000.

Simpson is one of four Las Vegas staffers who help Ensign constituents experiencing trouble with federal agencies, including Social Security and the Internal Revenue Service. She said it's gratifying to be able to help people frustrated by bureaucracy.

"Someone might be about to become homeless because they're not getting their Social Security benefits, but then I can make a phone call, and the next day they have $27,000 in their bank account," she said.

Simpson's work in politics has made her a staunch Republican, which she said puts her at odds with her 25-year-old daughter, a Democrat.

"It can get pretty heated," Simpson said.

Ensign said in a prepared statement that he appreciates Simpson's work.

"Paulette is an invaluable member of our team," he said. "She loves to help people, and that is reflected in the countless letters of appreciation I have received from constituents over the years. She gets results for Nevadans who seek help from our office, and we are fortunate to have her working on behalf of our state."

Contact political reporter Molly Ball at 387-2919 or mball@reviewjournal.com.