Four to compete for Henderson City Council Ward 3

Four candidates are vying to become the City Council member to serve Henderson’s Ward 3.

At some point in their careers, each candidate has expressed interest in the ward, whether by election or appointment.

Even though the council member represents Ward 3, the election is at-large, meaning all residents can vote. This is a four-year term with an annual salary of $44,288.

Bruce Cutler

Bruce Cutler describes himself as a young 68.

“I never grew up, like Peter Pan,” he said. “I’m an Energizer bunny. Believe me, I can still get things done.”

A Connecticut native, Cutler has been in Henderson nearly 20 years.

Cutler was in the insurance industry before he retired.

With his wife out of a job and his two sons unable to find employment, he came out of retirement three years ago to work as a driver for O’Reilly Auto Parts.

“It’s funny because my first job was doing deliveries for an auto parts store,” he said. “I’ve come full circle.”

For the last seven years, Cutler has served as the treasurer on the board of directors for the Whitney Ranch Home Owners Association. His time on the board has taught him how much he enjoys giving back.

“I’ve always been involved in Henderson,” he said. “I felt like I could make a change.”

His first run for office was in 2009 for Ward 3 against Kathleen Vermillion, who won but resigned midway through her term.

Cutler knew his return was inevitable.

“This is something that felt right,” he said. “I might as well take a shot at it.”

The three biggest issues he said he hopes to focus on are economic development, jobs and education.

Milt Doyle

Milt Doyle, 63, grew up in Tennessee.

He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1969 looking to serve his country.

“It was during Vietnam,” he said. “It was either join voluntarily or be drafted. It was a good decision.”

After leaving the Air Force, he entered the insurance industry, where he has worked for nearly 40 years and currently is the owner of an insurance agency. He also works as a real estate agent.

About 23 years ago, Doyle moved to Henderson.

“I love the area,” he said. “It’s such a close-knit community.”

His first try at running for office was in 1998 for a Clark County Commission seat.

“I had a lot of good friends suggest that I should run,” Doyle said. “I came very close.”

In 2012 when the Henderson City Council sought to fill the vacancy left by Vermillion, Doyle added his name to the 11 other candidates.

Even after the council chose another candidate, Doyle knew that his running for Ward 3 wasn’t over.

Doyle said this is just the beginning of his future in politics.

“I will have a future in politics,” he said. “I hope to semiretire and sell the agency one day to get into politics.”

Erin Lale

Born and raised in California, Erin Lale, 44, is an author, small-business owner and publisher.

Lale moved to Nevada in the late 1990s and opened a science fiction store. She has lived in Henderson for 12 years.

She has served on various boards, from the City of Lights Artists’ Co-op to the Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health advisory board.

The accomplishment of which she is proudest comes from her time on the mental health advisory board.

“We blocked an effort that would have denied driver’s licenses to anyone who has received counseling services,” she said.

Her interest in politics started in college when she studied Soviet political analysis.

“It started out with international politics,” she said. “It later developed into state politics.”

Her first run was for the State Assembly District 29 in 2010.

“I was just looking for a way to serve the community and positively affect people’s lives,” she said.

Even though she was defeated, she retained her goal to serve.

She realized she could have an impact on a local level by running for City Council.

Lale also sought to fill the Ward 3 vacancy in 2012.

As a business owner, Lale is running with the goal of helping other startup companies, which she feels will revitalize the economy.

John Marz

Utah-born John Marz, 66, has been a Henderson resident for more than 25 years.

He graduated from Brigham Young University and came to work in the sales department of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Moving to Reno, Marz opened his own marketing and advertising agency called DRGM Advertising.

In 1985, he returned to Las Vegas to manage the local office of the firm.

He later joined the corporate world to work at Mandalay Resort Group at Circus Circus. In 1999, he became the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of the company. Eventually, Marz opened a marketing consulting group in Las Vegas, where he still works.

He was appointed to the Henderson Planning Commission by former Henderson City Councilman Steve Kirk. He has also worked on the sidelines for various political campaigns.

Marz sought the Ward 3 appointment in January 2012 after Vermillion resigned. His original goal was not to seek election.

“My intent was to leave politics entirely in 2013,” he said.

He was appointed by the council 3-1, with Councilwoman Gerri Schroder opposed.

Marz said that while serving, his top priorities became neighborhood preservation and financial stability.

“Since being sworn in, it has become clear these goals will require years, not months, to accomplish,” he said. “That’s why I am running for a full term.”

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 702-387-5201.