Retain Fitzpatrick, other incumbents

With home values plummeting but tax bills hanging up like kites in a tree, voters may pay more attention than usual to this year's "minor" race for Clark County assessor.

Democrat Michele Shafe -- who served 12 years as assistant to departing assessor Mark Schofield -- is the only candidate with a state certification in both real and commercial appraisal for tax purposes, and she's trimmed $1 million out of her office budget. Republican challenger Gerrit Hale says, "I tell people the only way to get a true value is to file an appeal." And he appears to be right. Ms. Shafe replies only slightly more than 1 percent of property owners file appeals. But it turns out 75 percent of those who file appeals get a reduction -- prima facie evidence of a problem. The Legislature should review their mandates for how assessments are done. But based on her experience and demonstrated frugality with tax moneys, we recommend retaining Democrat Michele Shafe.

County treasurer Laura Fitzpatrick, a 27-year CPA who once served seven years as deputy state treasurer of Michigan, is a competent Democratic incumbent. She's being challenged by Mike "Doc" Javornicky, who believes he's the better candidate because of "a tradition going back for centuries, that it's a job that ought to be done by a man." He further says he selected this office because "it's not too demanding." Give Mr. Javornicky the leisure he craves; retain Laura Fitzpatrick.

County Clerk Diana Alba, a Democratic incumbent, has competently overseen a considerable reduction in her office's duties, staff and budget. Republican challenger Scott Austin did not respond to numerous attempts to contact him.

In the race for Clark County recorder, incumbent Democrat Debbie Conway is being challenged by Republican Jim Edwards, a Vietnam veteran who's won our endorsement in the past and who could doubtless do the job.

Mr. Edwards' main criticism of Ms. Conway is that due to the doubling of her office's fees, she has collected tens of millions of dollars above and beyond what it costs to run her office. But Ms. Conway correctly observes those fees are set by the legislative branch. We still hope to see Mr. Edwards in public office, but -- despite her enthusiasm for "back-door" tax hikes -- voters should retain competent and energetic Debbie Conway.

For Clark County public administrator, incumbent Democrat John Cahill is being challenged by retiring Las Vegas police detective and Henderson City Council member Jack Clark.

Mr. Clark, who speaks of bringing newer technology to the office, would not be a bad choice. But John Cahill has taken the county's budget problems to heart and acted proactively to save the county money. John Cahill should be retained.