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Written by Steve Sanson
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Wednesday, 14 March 2007 |
America land of the free home of the brave. Democracy is the best way to go, let the people decide who shall represent them.
Although there is Senate Bill SJR2 that wants to take that right away from us and have Nevada Supreme and District Court Judges be appointed by the Governor. In 2002 the State Legislature was presented with a bill to have the Clark County Public Administrators Seat and the Clark County Reorders Seat an appointed position by the Clark County Manager.
I wonder is there not enough crime and corruption that our
lawmakers find it necessary to waste the public's tax dollars in an
attempt to take away our right to vote.
We already have a major
problem getting people to the voting polls and informing them about
candidates that are campaigning for different political seats.
I encourage all citizens to enforce your right to vote for who you believe that would best represent you.
The Veterans In Politics International has conducted their Municipal Endorsement Interview on March 6, 2007, at the Greater Las Vegas Marine Corps League. To clear the air the Marine Corps League is not endorsing any candidates. Veterans In Politics International is only using their facilities to conduct the interviews. Veterans need to be represented and I hope that they will use the Veterans In Politics International to help them make the right decision at the voting poles. Heather Cory from The News was on hand to take a few pictures.
Let me give you a brief history on the controversial Veterans In Politics or VIP. The VIP is a Nonprofit Organization started in 1992 by a group of veterans that wanted to have a voice. All of the veterans groups are chartered by Congress, meaning that they cannot endorse any candidates. The VIP is not chartered by Congress and this gives them a voice to publicly say what candidate would better serve veterans.
There has been a lot of hand changing with the VIP; no one knew who was in charge or how they endorsed a candidate. There were also individuals falsely claiming that they are the President and falsely attempting to endorse candidates. The VIP is a Nonpartisan group, made up of Veterans from all branches of the service that do not discriminate against sex, religion, creed, color, age, or political preference; however they have to believe in GOD and be a citizen of the United States.
The VIP had a complete reorganization in 2006, our mission is to teach, educate, organize and awaken our veterans and their families to select, support and vote intelligently for a better world and to protect ourselves from our own government(s) in a culture of corruption and to be the political voice for those in other groups whom may not have one.
I have played an active role in the VIP for several years from Media Spokesman to now Chaplain and President of the organization. The other officers are Richard Harris former United States Marine and Treasurer, Johnny Spicer former United States Navy Retired and Secretary, and George Chehade Pro-Veteran and Minister.
Candidates will be judged on appearance, personal back ground, the issues surrounding the seat they are seeking, believe in GOD, have certain goals to achieve once in the seat, problem solving skills and motivation. Being a veteran or family of a veteran and or supporting veteran issues.
This is the Veterans In Politics first one on one interview with candidates which will continue the same way in the future. Let me make it clear that the Veterans In Politics do not care about political parties we only care about the candidate that would best serve our Veterans.
There are fifty-four candidates including Boulder City, North Las Vegas, Henderson City, and Las Vegas City. There were candidates that contact the VIP and stated that they could not make the interview and some candidates believe that they are too good to entertain Veterans.
We had 19 Candidates present for the Veterans In Politics International Municipal Endorsement Interview. The Interviews started at 4:30PM and ended at 9:30 PM, needless to say all members of the VIP were exhausted after five hours.
The list below is not in any particular order the seat is listed above the candidate. The questions asked are below the candidate and the endorsement winner below the questions.
Seat- North Las Vegas City Council Ward 4
Candidates:
Deborah Lewis
Richard J. Cherchio
Question:
In the North Las Vegas Mayor State of the City Address Mayor Michael Montandon mentioned that a new Veterans Hospital is going to be placed on Pecos and north 215 located in Ward 4. There was a ground breaking in October 2006, but no hospital. What would you do to make sure that this hospital gets built?
Ward 4 is the new development of North Las Vegas. How do you feel about low income housing in this Ward?
What would you do different from the incumbent?
We choose not to endorse anyone in this race.
Seat- Henderson City Council Ward 1
Candidate:
Donald Griffie
Question:
What would you do to prevent homeowners from having their property damaged from the dynamite blasting?
Do you support growth and Why?
We choose not to endorse anyone in this race.
Seat-Boulder City Council
Candidate:
Diane Hutchings
Question:
How do you feel about the controversial land deal that would make millions for Boulder City resident and do you want to control growth by not developing more homes and commercial infrastructure?
What plan of action are you going to take with the vehicle traffic that is going to pass through Boulder City in 2010 after the completion of the by-pass over the Hover Dam?
Do you support the Solar Power Project in Boulder City that would make it the largest generators of solar energy in the United States and Why?
What would you do to build up the standards of Animal Control?
What do you do to support our veterans?
We have endorsed Diane Hutchings for Boulder City Council.
Seat- Las Vegas Mayor
Candidate:
Yvette Chevalier
Sandra Coon
Question:
What would you do to improve the Veterans Day Parade?
When would it become an issue that we have enough growth in Las Vegas?
What kind of value and integrity would you place on a Sheriffs Card and Why?
What would you look for when a person applies for a Massage License?
The VIP was asked by Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman to interview him at City Hall, because of scheduling conflicts. The VIP will reach a decision on Tuesday, March 13th.
Seat-Las Vegas City Council Ward 1
Candidate:
Shawn Spanier
Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian
Question:
What have you done or would do to improve congestion on our highways and roadways?
How do you feel about making the City Council Seat a full time position?
Would you or do you vote with your heart or your conscience?
We have endorsed Dr. Lois Tarkanian for Las Vegas City Council Ward 1.
Seat-Las Vegas City Council Ward 3
Candidate:
Joe Sacco
Question:
How would you defend being arrested by the Las Vegas City Marshals for violating a City Ordinance for feeding the Homeless?
What made you want to be an advocate for the homeless?
Why do you appear around the homeless only when the media is present?
What would you do as Councilman to end the homeless issue?
We choose not to endorse anyone in this race.
Seat-Las Vegas City Council Ward 5
Candidate:
Ricki Barlow
Gene Collins
Stacie Truesdell
Shondra Summers-Armstrong
Question:
Are you willing to maintain former City Councilman Lawrence Weekly's Student Town Hall Meetings and Why?
What is your strategic plan to clean up the neighborhoods that are riddled with gang violence, graffiti, and illegal drug addiction?
What are you willing to do to make sure that your constituents have the adequate commercial development (example supermarkets and transportation)?
Do you believe that it might be an excellent idea to have affordable homes only for Veterans in Ward 5 and Why?
We have endorsed Stacie Truesdell for Las Vegas City Council Ward 5.
Seat-Las Vegas Municipal Judge Department 6
Candidate:
Lynn Avants
Bill Gonzalez
George D. Greenberg
Patrick Furguson
Martin Hastings
Question:
How would you handle first time offenders for Driving Under the Influence (DUI's) and Domestic violence cases and how would you handle repeated offenders?
When would you decide to lock up a citizen for repeated traffic violations?
What are your views on the Homeless issue in the City of Las Vegas (example feeding the homeless, panhandling on Fremont Street) and Why?
How would you handle an attorney that shows up late, belligerent, or under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol?
This was the hardest seat to reach a decision.
We have endorsed Bill Gonzalez for Las Vegas Municipal Judge Department 6.
Seat-Henderson City Council Ward 2
Candidate:
Thomas Wagner
Question:
Do you support Citizens Right to Bear Arms?
What are your thoughts on the 400 plus acres of contaminated land that is slated to be developed?
Would you consider an Annual Parade in Henderson in honor of our Veterans and Why?
We have endorsed Thomas Wagner for Henderson City Council Ward 2.
All candidates were asked the following additional questions:
If it was up to them would they take the word "Under God' out of the pledge of allegiance?
What are the five items that they would want to make a difference on?
Would they give Veterans special privileges?
Are they involved in any Veteran Affairs or Charitable Organizations?
The Veterans In Politics International would like to thank all candidates for participating in this interview and the election process.
We hope that the Citizens of Las Vegas City, Henderson City, North Las Vegas City, and Boulder City have a clear choice on who they would want to represent them.
Early Voting Starts March 17th to March 30th. Vote early and vote smart.
E-mail: SteveWSanson@cs.com phone 702 283 8088
Website: www.VeteransInPolitics.com
Listen to Steve Sanson weekly every Saturday 10AM Pacific time on "Face the Tribune" at www.AllTalkRadio.net. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 14 March 2007 )
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