In Our View: Fixing Broken Government

Eventually, ideally, not all votes in the Clark County Council will result in a 3-2 count. Eventually, some give-and-take, some dialogue, some compromise will emerge among coalitions that vary from issue to issue.

In the meantime, the newly constituted council took a necessary step Tuesday toward righting a county government that has been tilting. With newly elected Council Chairman Marc Boldt and newly elected councilor Julie Olson expanding the body to five members, councilors repealed eight resolutions that had been irresponsibly approved late last year.

Undoubtedly, Councilor David Madore was the target of Tuesday’s decisions. In 2014, despite his protestations, citizens adopted a county charter that included expanding the council. In last year’s primary election, despite his expenditure of $188,448, voters rejected his candidacy for council chair. And in November’s general election, despite his support and monetary backing, voters rejected a write-in candidate for the chair position.

Having had his brand of governance deserted by the populace, Madore undertook the actions of a desperate politician. Ignoring the fact that the board would expand in January, the council passed a series of resolutions related to transportation and zoning issues. Unfailingly supported by Tom Mielke in an array of votes, Madore placed the incoming councilors in an uncomfortable position while further demonstrating his unwillingness to work with others.

On Tuesday, the council voted to rescind each of those resolutions while leaving open the option of revisiting them. It also opted to reconsider a 2 percent property tax levy reduction that Madore led the way in approving. In each case, Boldt, Olson and Jeanne Stewart voted to rescind the resolutions, while Madore and Mielke voted against.

For Olson, in particular, the votes provided a revelation. Stewart long has stood as a voice of reason in opposition to the idealism of her fellow councilors when the board consisted of three members, and Boldt had signaled that he likely would vote to overturn the resolutions. Olson, being new to politics at the county level, is an unknown quantity, and the “R” next to her name had created expectation in some circles that she would vote in lockstep with Madore.

Her thoughtful management led Madore and others to challenge her conservative credentials. Christian Berrigan, a state committeeman for the Clark County Republican Party, spoke at Tuesday’s meeting and said: “Councilor Olson, I believe you have a choice … You can be a leader and a hero in responsible conservative governance by standing for the agenda and the values that you claimed last April you would fight for.” In urging Olson not to rescind the resolutions, Berrigan said: “I would caution you against it, strongly.” Such a demand that conservatism means blindly accepting flawed policy reflects poorly upon the Republican Party in Clark County. Citizens need thoughtful leaders, not ideologues — and Olson’s willingness to deeply consider the issues is preferable to Madore’s megalomania.

Eventually, we hope, some balance will be restored to the council. Persistent 3-2 votes are no more desirable than the 2-1 votes that marked the three-person council — if the same three people always hold the majority. But there was some solace to be found for those who have been frustrated with the direction of Clark County government in recent years. As his empire was crumbling, Madore said: “I’m just flabbergasted. This is supposed to be fixing dysfunctional government?”

Yes it is, councilor. Yes, indeed.