Sunday, May 22, 2005
Copyright @ Las Vegas Review-Journal

JOHN L. SMITH: Column proves senator from Searchlight has no shortage of enemies

I'm glad to see we're all in agreement on my recent column about the effectiveness of Sen. Harry Reid in the battle over the Bush administration's judicial nominees.

Well, there was that one whisper of a complaint from investigator Tom Dillard.

"Your column made me want to puke," he says.

Guess I'll have to get a new photo taken. .....
..................................

This section is temporarily put here in this box. It's not for the series of main sections. It should go to the next large box as soon as possible. Thank you.

Sincerely,

WBTI

Friday, May 06, 2005
Copyright @ Las Vegas Review-Journal

Ward 6 candidate Ross leads in poll he commissioned
Opposition says numbers can't be trusted
By ERIN NEFF
REVIEW-JOURNAL

[Steve Ross; Candidate to use poll results to aid fund raising] (Photo from LVRJ)

A poll commissioned by Las Vegas City Council candidate Steve Ross shows the candidate with a narrow lead over opponent Mary Gillins in the race for Ward 6.

Ross leads Gillins 41 percent to 32 percent, according to the poll of 389 likely voters conducted April 24 to 26 by Pete Brodnitz of Benenson Strategy Group. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.97 percentage points.

Ross' political consultant, Gary Gray, said the survey shows him that "our message seems to be beating their message." ...........
.............................................

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 15, 2005 Contact Greg Bortolin or John Trent
775-684-5670

CARSON CITY – Gov. Kenny Guinn today announced that he has named Colonel Cynthia Kirkland as Nevada’s new Adjutant General. Kirkland replaces Major General Giles Vanderhoof, who is retiring after serving as the state’s military chief of staff and commander of more than 3,000 members of the Nevada Air and Army National Guard since 2001.

“Cynthia Kirkland has more than 30 years of experience, and has an unmatched and thorough understanding of the entire Nevada National Guard,” Gov. Guinn said. “What is equally exciting is her ability to see well into the future. She has a strong grasp of the ever-evolving role the Nevada National Guard will play in the future of our state. From large-scale emergency response events to Homeland Defense and Security efforts, Colonel Kirkland’s knowledge is extensive. I have every confidence she will be an outstanding and visionary Adjutant General.”

Gov. Guinn also expressed his admiration for Vanderhoof, who first enlisted in the Nevada Air National Guard immediately upon his graduation from Sparks High School in 1959.

“Two words come to mind when I think of Giles: honor and integrity,” Gov. Guinn said. “He has brought great honor to our state throughout his 46-year association with the Guard, and he has always done his job admirably, with great integrity. He is one of the best leaders our state will ever see. I’ve relied on his expertise on a number of different occasions. Every time, I knew his advice was right, and that he was always taking the most prudent action for the benefit and safety of Nevada’s citizens. He’s always been a humble, caring and courageous person.

“The State of Nevada owes him a sincere debt of gratitude.”

Kirkland, 51, has lived in Nevada since 1977 since being honorably discharged from the Navy. She has served as the Adjutant General’s Joint Headquarters Chief of Staff since 2003, primarily acting as senior advisor in the direct chain of command of the Nevada Guard. Whenever the Adjutant General has been unavailable, Kirkland has served as Acting Adjutant in managing the affairs of the Guard.

“I’m so honored to be given this opportunity by Governor Guinn,” Kirkland said. “I look forward to serving the Governor and the men and women of the Nevada National Guard. I will do everything in my power to keep us on track. Adjutant General Vanderhoof has set an extremely high standard, and I will continue to push the Guard forward. I’m looking forward to making a difference for the men and women of the Guard, and the citizens of our state.”

Kirkland’s previous positions in the Guard have included Air National Guard Chief of Staff, 2000-2003; State Public Information Officer for Nevada National Guard, 1995-2000; Communications Flight Commander, 1988-95; Guardsman in Nevada Air National Guard, 1982-88. She was also a Benefits Counselor for the Veterans Administration from 1977-88. Kirkland is a 1992 Business Administration graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno.

Gov. Guinn also praised the other two finalists for the Adjutant General position: Brigadier General Randall Sayre and Colonel Louis Cabrera.

“It’s just too bad that we don’t have three Adjutant General positions,” Gov. Guinn said. “All three candidates have outstanding records of achievement. I enjoyed interviewing Brigadier General Sayre and Colonel Cabrera – they’re exceptionally talented leaders in their own right. I want to commend them for seeking this most important post. There is a reason why our Guard in this state is so universally respected – we have an unbelievable wealth of talented leaders.”

Office of the Governor
101 North Carson Street
Carson City, NV 89701
Fax: 775-684-7198

Media contact:
Cynthia Kirkland
Cell: (775) 287-5059
Phone: (775) 887-7304

Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Copyright @ Las Vegas Review-Journal

Kerns re-elected to municipal bench
Harter vows to continue seeking a judgeship
By J.M. KALIL
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Cedric Kerns speaks to supporters Tuesday night at the Golden Nugget. The Municipal Court incumbent was re-elected.
Photo by Ralph Fountain.

Attorney Mat Harter's ninth bid for the bench ended in another defeat Tuesday as Las Vegas Municipal Court Judge Cedric Kerns was re-elected.

Two-term incumbent Kerns garnered 60 percent of the vote compared to Harter's 40 percent in the Department 5 race.

Kerns, a 39-year-old Republican, attributed his victory in the nonpartisan race to his record over the last eight years.

"Voters are aware that we're trying to get tough on DUIs, on domestic violence, so they returned me to the bench," he said.

Although some attorneys use the Municipal Court bench as a springboard to a district judgeship or other higher office, Kerns vowed to serve out his entire six-year term.

"This has just been a tough race. We worked very hard, and it's been draining emotionally," he said. "I'll definitely serve the entire term."

Tuesday's election was Harter's fifth defeat at the polls. He has sought appointment to the bench on four other occasions.

Still, he vowed Tuesday to continue seeking a judgeship.

"This is not going to be the end," the candidate said.

Kerns, who was first elected in 1997, campaigned as an effective force in helping remove repeat offenders from the system through the Habitual Offender Prevention and Education program, known as the HOPE Court.

He touted endorsements from firefighters and the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, the union representing rank-and-file cops.

During the campaign, Harter criticized Kerns for not refusing campaign contributions from strip club owners and for not refusing a recent $11,000-a-year pay increase. The position pays just over $128,000 a year.

But Kerns said topless clubs are legitimate businesses and he saw no problem with accepting their contributions.

Harter attributed his defeat Tuesday to facing someone already on the bench.

Though all of you may not live in the Lakes area, you are still invited
to
attend next Saturday, April 9th.

See you then!

Val

------ Original Message ------
Received: Thu, 31 Mar 2005 04:32:56 PM PST
From: Greg Toussaint
Subject: Town Hall Legislative Briefing Meeting

Hey all you Lakes area residents:
If you want to know what's happening in Carson City during this year's
legislative session... here's your chance to hear all about it first
hand.
This meeting will be a great opportunity for you to meet your elected
State
representatives. You can learn about current legislation and have a
chance
to make your own views heard.

This is democracy at it's best, so please plan to attend this Town Hall
Legislative Briefing Meeting. We'll see you there.

Greg & Donna Toussaint
_____

You are invited to

A Town Hall Legislative Briefing Meeting

Join us to learn about the most important issues before the 2005 Legislative Session
with

Senator Bob Beers SD 6 Finance, Legislative Operations and Activities, Natural Resources

Senator Barbara Cegavske SD 8 Finance, Legislative Operations and Activities, Human Resources and Education

Assemblyman Chad Christensen AD 13
Transportation, Government Affairs

Assemblywoman Valerie Weber AD 5 Growth and Infrastructure, Health and Human Services, Ways and Means

at West Sahara Library, 9600 West Sahara Ave.

Saturday, April 9, 2005 from 3:30 PM to 5 PM

Thursday, March 24, 2005
Copyright @ Las Vegas Review-Journal

HENDERSON MUNICIPAL JUDGE, DEPARTMENT 3: Four lawyers run for new position Candidates present varied backgrounds
By HENRY BREAN
REVIEW-JOURNAL

David S. Gibson Jr.

Diana Hampton

Kenneth Walter Long

Michael L. Miller

Henderson's newest elected post is also its most hotly contested, as four attorneys vie to become municipal court judge for the city's recently created Department 3.

The nonpartisan race features David Gibson Jr., Diana Hampton, Kenneth Long and Michael Miller.

Early voting got under way Saturday and runs through April 1. Election Day is April 5.

Unless one candidate earns more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two finishers will advance to the June 7 general election.

David Gibson Jr. is a Henderson native who has worked as a private attorney since 2002. The married father of three also currently works as a pro tem justice of the peace in Laughlin and other outlying parts of Clark County.

Gibson's father is a longtime Clark County public defender, his uncle is Henderson Mayor James Gibson. He described the two men as his legal role models.

"I believe the Gibson name stands for good in this community, and I embrace that. However, I am my own person, and I want people to judge me on my own merits and my own ability," he said.

Diana Hampton spent almost three years as a Henderson deputy city attorney before resigning the $78,548-per-year job earlier this year to concentrate on her campaign for judge.

"In addition to serving the public, I have also served in the private sector, so I have a good world view," she said.

Hampton is married to a Henderson Police officer and has one child. She has lived in Southern Nevada for six years and worked as a trial attorney for five years.

Since 2001, Kenneth Long has worked as prosecutor in North Las Vegas. Before that, he spent three years with the Clark County district attorney's office, prosecuting drunken drivers and handling special assignments.

The Southern Nevada native and married father of four also spent two years as an FBI agent in Lewiston, Idaho.

Long described himself as "well-equipped to reduce the backlog presently in Henderson" and said he is "ready to change the perception that Henderson is easy on domestic violence cases."

Michael Miller is a lifelong resident of Clark County, who retired after 25 years as a deputy public defender for the county.

He presently serves as a pro tem municipal judge and a pro tem justice of the peace in Henderson.

"I've had the opportunity to work with and observe judges, prosecutors, police, victims and defendants," he said. "My years of experience best qualifies me to serve the community and the court."

The Bishop Gorman High School graduate has been married for 33 years and has two grown daughters. He has lived in Henderson for 26 years.

Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Copyright @ Las Vegas Review-Journal

Two vie for Department 5 judgeship

Harter challenges two-term incumbent Kerns in race to be settled on primary day
By RICHARD LAKE
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Cedric Kerns
Age: 39
Party: Republican
Occupation: Las Vegas Municipal Court judge
Education: Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from UNLV; Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego

Mathew Harter
Age: 38
Party: Republican
Occupation: attorney
Education: Bachelor of Science in business administration, business management, UNLV; Juris Doctor from the Thomas M. Cooley School of Law, Lansing, Mich.

The race for the Las Vegas Municipal Court Department 5 judgeship pits a two-term incumbent against a perennial challenger.

Judge Cedric Kerns, first elected in 1997, is being challenged by attorney Mathew Harter.

Because there are only two candidates, the nonpartisan race will be settled in the April 5 primary.

Kerns said his record speaks for itself. He has been instrumental in helping remove repeat offenders from the system through the Habitual Offender Prevention and Education program, commonly called the HOPE Court, he said.

"I love this job," he said. "It is one of the most rewarding jobs I've ever had."

He said law enforcement endorsements and what he calls strong backing by attorneys and other judges should help voters decide.

Harter criticized the judge for not vowing to refuse campaign contributions from strip club owners and for not refusing a recent $11,000-a-year pay increase. The position pays just over $128,000 a year.

"That money should be going toward improving the system, not in the judge's pocket," Harter said. He vowed to give the $11,000 to charity if he wins.

He also said judges, especially, should not take campaign contributions from strip clubs.

"I have a problem with it because judges are supposed to be held to a lot higher standard than most politicians," he said.

Kerns said he has taken contributions from strip club owners and he would do it again.

"These are legitimate businesses," he said. He added that if there were any questions about his credibility, he wouldn't have been elected president of the Nevada Judges Association.

Kerns criticized Harter for trying nine times to become a judge, five through election and four through the appointment process.

Harter said he has wanted to be a judge since law school and saw nothing wrong with persistence.

Kerns touted the HOPE program, which targets serial repeat offenders for rehabilitation. He said the 27 people involved in it had a total of 8,000 violations against them when they entered the program. To date, he said, their arrest rate has been reduced 74 percent.

Harter said he was not familiar enough with the program to comment on it. He said, however, that he believes too often people are led into programs for rehabilitation instead of simply punished because of a lack of jail space or something similar.

Kerns has criticized Harter because Harter was sued for malpractice. But Harter pointed out that all but a small portion of the lawsuit has been dismissed, and he expects that the rest of it will be soon.

EDITORIAL: The invisible governor
Guinn must take stand on property taxes

The Carson City sideshow on property tax reform began in July, when Gov. Kenny Guinn rejected calls for a special legislative session to provide relief for homeowners. He said the Legislature had enough time during its regular session to get the job done.

Where are we now? Less than 20 working days remain before the Legislature's March 31 deadline to resolve the issue, lest homeowners end up stuck with tax bills between 20 and 70 percent higher than last year's, and no proposal has yet received the clear bipartisan support needed to win passage in the Assembly and Senate.

Gov. Guinn, who has neither offered nor advocated a single bill related to the seminal issue of this session, has been absent from increasingly urgent debate (remember that during his January State of the State address, he dedicated just three paragraphs to the subject).

Local governments could have solved this issue themselves if they agreed to reduce their tax rates on skyrocketing property assessments, but they punted. Lawmakers, many of whom were astonishingly quick in crafting plans to raise taxes two years ago, are wringing their hands over the "constitutional complexities" of tax relief, utterly incapable of hiding their lust for additional revenues.

The issue is screaming for the leadership of the state's chief executive. The time has come for Gov. Guinn to get behind a plan that provides significant, immediate and long-term relief for beleaguered taxpayers, and to use some political muscle to push it through.
***The view expressed above are those of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.