Ward 4 candidates accuse each other of lies and mistruths

As the race for Henderson City Council Ward 4 enters crunch time, candidate Mike Mayberry has sent out his first mailers against rival Sam Bateman.

Bateman, a prosecutor for Clark County and a member of the Henderson Planning Commission, and Mayberry, a former Henderson chief of police, have been squaring off through mailers leading up to the June 7 election. Bateman sent two mailers in mid-May accusing Mayberry of scamming public employees by collecting pension on top of disability for a heart condition.

"I was tired of hearing the same incorrect information being put out by Mr. Bateman," Mayberry said. "It was time to answer some of his accusations. I was hoping to do this election just his good record versus my good record. But his campaign hasn't gone that way. I tried to hang in there, but it was just time to answer back, which is normally not my style."

Mayberry's mailers, sent May 19 and 24, allege that Bateman has a conflict of interest serving on the Henderson City Council while being a lobbyist for the Clark County Prosecutors Association.

"I am a paid lobbyist who advocated for victims and tries to make stronger penalties for criminals," Bateman said. "I do not unequivocally lobby for public employees. I essentially lobby for public safety. I only advocated (for public safety) during the legislative session."

Mayberry's mailer asks questions such as "Where will his loyalties be?" and compares the candidates' stances on being fiscal conservatives, supporting open and transparent government, putting Henderson first and longevity pay, which is salary or wages based on seniority and length of service.

The mailer says, "Mike never received longevity pay for just working another year and strongly opposes excessive pay for public employees," while Bateman "has received longevity pay and has never fought or refused to receive it."

"It's just a flat-out lie," Bateman said. "I didn't think he would make stuff up. You could easily go find all this information out. It is the exact opposite, actually. I never received longevity pay, but (Mayberry) has."

According to Dan Kulin, a public information officer with Clark County, Bateman does not receive longevity pay and is currently ineligible for it.

"I based my information off a (Las Vegas Review-Journal) article," Mayberry said. "If Sam says he doesn't receive longevity pay, then I will take him at his word."

Mayberry said what he read appeared as though Bateman received longevity pay because people in Bateman's department were receiving it.

"If I am wrong, then I apologize," Mayberry said. "He has turned around and said I received it, and that is wrong."

According to Kathleen Richards, a senior public information officer for Henderson, Mayberry received longevity compensation in the amount of 3.5 percent at the beginning of September 1983 after five years of service with the Henderson Police Department, per the contract that was in effect at that time. According to the city, his longevity pay was increased to 6 percent before it was terminated in 1991 upon Mayberry's promotion to lieutenant.

"They are wrong," Mayberry said adamantly. "I have a vivid recollection, and I never got it. I think I am in the same boat as Sam where it just looks like I received it. But I didn't."

Mayberry also has created a website, truthaboutsambateman.com.

"The website is pure hypocrisy," Bateman said.

The website makes the same statements as the mailer but also refutes some of the claims Bateman has made regarding the $40,000 Bateman said Mayberry receives in disability pay and the accusation that Mayberry is not permanently disabled.

According to Richards, Mayberry currently receives $2,610.16 per month in disability, which amounts to a little more than $30,000 a year.

Mayberry said his disability is backed up by his doctor.

Bateman sent a mailer May 20, the day after Mayberry's mailer went out, addressing Mayberry's claims. The mailer includes quotes from David Roger, Clark County district attorney and Bateman's boss, who said, "Mike Mayberry is flat-out wrong about Sam Bateman."

The mailer, with a photo on the front of a man hooked up to a lie detector device, alleges "Mayberry's lies are off the chart," and addresses three of Mayberry's claims: Bateman receives longevity pay, Bateman lobbies for public employees and Bateman refused a reduction in salary and benefits.

FOCUS ON THE ISSUES

Aside from defending themselves from mailers, Bateman and Mayberry both have issues to discuss about Henderson.

Both candidates have talked to voters who are concerned about everything from budget issues to city consolidation.

"I am against consolidation of city governments," Bateman said. "Henderson does well, and we don't need to do anything that would decrease the quality of our services."

Mayberry, who said he was in Carson City the first week of May to get updates on the legislative session, said he tries to reassure people that the city is doing what it can to address budget issues.

Both candidates also are familiarizing themselves with new projects, including the proposed Union Village development at U.S. Highway 95 and Galleria Drive.

"These are the type of projects the city needs," Bateman said, referring to Union Village. "It will create a lot of jobs."

Bateman said his background on the planning commission can help the project move forward.

Mayberry said he is in the process of getting a full briefing on the development but is looking at other proposals that could create jobs.

Bateman came out on top in the April 7 primary election, receiving 4,439 votes, or 30.49 percent.

"Right from the get-go, we had to send a message to Henderson that we are moving forward with a new vision," Bateman said. "I think most people are hearing the message. We came from having zero name recognition."

Mayberry finished second with 3,927 votes, or 29.97 percent.

"I am walking the neighborhoods every day," Mayberry said. "I hold meet-and-greets just trying to get my issues out there."

For more information about Bateman, visit electsambateman.com.

For more information about Mayberry, visit mayberryforhenderson.com.

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