Goodman, Anthony head ‘home’ to Sun City for mayoral debate

You can expect some heavy punches to be thrown, in the form of heated words, as well as a bit of interesting irony when Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and Mayor Pro Tem and Ward 4 City Councilman Stavros Anthony square off March 30 at the Desert Vista Community Center in Sun City Summerlin.

No, it’s not a take on the upcoming “fight of the century” that will match Floyd Mayweather Jr. against Manny Pacquiao. But it may well be Las Vegas’ political debate of the century, and it will no doubt pack the Sun City ballroom to its fire law capacity of 433 spectators.

Of course, some might argue that calling this match the debate of the century is an overblown metaphor, even though political commentator and firebrand Jon Ralston will be the referee — oops, meant to say moderator.

Here’s why it could be the debate of the century. Ask yourself, when was the last time two combatants for mayor of Las Vegas ever traded punches over so strong an issue as spending what could ultimately be more than $100 million of taxpayer money to build a stadium for private interests? Or, as a companion issue, whether to permit the public to vote on a referendum that could put to rest any similar expenditures now or in the future?

In one corner, Mayor Goodman argues that the city’s funding for such a stadium, which originally was intended to lure a Major League Soccer franchise, would help “make Las Vegas a world-class city.” In the other corner, Councilman Anthony argues that “Las Vegas already is a world-class city and should not have to spend anything to build a stadium.” It should be noted that two other candidates for mayor, Philip Cory and Abdul Shabazz, will also trade verbal punches.

Although a soccer team in Las Vegas is no longer a reality, still, by comparison, there’s a $375 million indoor arena being built without one cent of public money. It’s owned by a joint venture of MGM Resorts International and AEG. Equally important, an entrepreneur from Florida, Bill Foley, in partnership with the Maloof family of the Palms fame, is attempting to lure a National Hockey League franchise for Las Vegas.

So, one might ask, isn’t that good enough to answer the question about making Las Vegas a “world-class city?” That is, if it already doesn’t hold such a status? And all at no cost to the taxpayers.

Now here’s the irony. Summerlin residents, and especially those in Sun City, strongly backed the winner each of the three times Oscar Goodman ran for mayor. They just as strongly backed the winner when spouse Carolyn Goodman ran and became mayor four years ago.

But they also backed the winner with an equally strong showing at the polls when Anthony was first elected Ward 4 councilman in 2009. And they duplicated their heavy vote for Anthony when he was re-elected in 2013.

It shouldn’t be forgotten that Oscar Goodman frequently came to Sun City and packed the same community center. He came to speak during the years when Stan Bjonerud was president of the Sun City Residents’ Forum. And Oscar Goodman never failed to tell an overflowing, admiring audience, “I wish I could live here in Sun City Summerlin.”

After he passed the torch to his wife, she, too, frequently came to Sun City and addressed the Residents’ Forum at the invitation of president Glenda Rogers. And she often reminded her admirers that she and Oscar always wished they could live in Sun City.

Then, along came Anthony, and from the start of his first campaign for city council right up to the present, he has visited Sun City and addressed the Residents’ Forum so often that some in the community actually believe he lives there.

So when Bjonerud suggested the idea of a debate to Rogers and the rest of the Residents’ Forum board, it was almost as if they were inviting members of their own family to square off and discuss those key issues.

Only this time you can bet it won’t be a warm family reunion. It’s likely to be more like a get-together of the “Duck Dynasty.”

Herb Jaffe was an op-ed columnist and investigative reporter for most of his 39 years at the Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J. His most recent novel, “Double Play,” is now available. Contact him at hjaffe@cox.net.