Confused about how to vote on the new Clark County charter? Let’s review. We the people voted for 15 freeholders to represent us. They drafted a charter for county government after numerous public meetings with citizen commentary. Freeholders included current and past officeholders from both parties and prominent citizens.
Voting for the charter were these Republicans: Joseph Zarelli (vice chair), Garry Lucas, and Marc Boldt, plus these Democrats: Dan Ogden (replacing Val Ogden after she passed away), Jim Moeller, Temple Lentz, this independent: Nan Henriksen (chair and former Republican), and these who said they were non-partisan: Randy Mueller, Paul Dennis, Jim Mains, Pat Jollota. Those latter four include distinguished citizens with business and government backgrounds. Voting against were three Republicans: Peter Silliman, Tracy Wilson, Liz Pike. Not voting was Republican Ann Rivers due to a family emergency.
The vote in favor included three Republicans, three Democrats, an independent and four nonpartisan freeholders. The vote against was three Republicans, so the charter passed by a vote of 11-3, with one Republican not voting. Generally speaking, the good-government Republicans were in favor of the charter, and the Tea Party-like Republicans were opposed. That crowd continues to kick up dust with the “Don’t lose your voice” nonsense.
Also opposed to the charter are the infamous M&M boys, Commissioners David Madore and Tom Mielke, who like things just the way they are.
