Avoiding the subject

One of the more interesting things about the Livable Communities Governor Candidates Forum, held May 25 at the Reed Whipple Cultural Center, was that a candidate who was invited didn't attend and a candidate who was not invited did attend.

Republican candidate Jim Gibbons, a U.S. congressman, did not attend the forum -- of course. Gibbons, said moderator Dave Berns, had work to do in D.C. and was unable to shake free.

Christopher Hansen, the Independent American Party candidate, did attend the forum. Hansen, however, was not included in the panel of candidates.

"And there's another candidate, too, who's sitting right here," said Hansen from the crowd, interrupting the introductions. "But for some reason, minor parties weren't invited to debate. I don't know why we weren't."

An event organizer later explained that she did not know Hansen was a candidate. Had she known, she said, he would've been invited to participate in the forum.

She added that the Green Party candidate was invited, but could not attend.

"Gibbons is showing his disdain for the people," said Hansen after the forum. "He is saying, 'I'm the front-runner. I don't care about what anybody else does.' So he doesn't show up. It's disgusting. He disrespects all of the citizens of Nevada by not showing up to these events."

Gibbons, who has skipped several such events, was a slow-moving target for the panel of candidates. Just 15 minutes into the forum, state Sen. Dina Titus slammed the absentee front-runner.

"Mr. Gibbons has to be back in Washington?" asked Titus incredulously. "I don't know why. He hasn't done anything there for the past 10 years."

This zinger, like many delivered by Titus, was met with applause. Judging by audience reaction, Titus gave the best performance -- followed by the irrepressible Hansen.

The candidates did address the topic of the forum -- the livability and sustainability of Las Vegas -- though sometimes obliquely. Titus said the city needs a real public transportation system, not "just toy mass transit like the monorail." (Panelist and Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson once served as the monorail's president and CEO.)

State Sen. Bob Beers, a Republican candidate, seemed to believe that less government and less taxes would solve all our sustainability problems. Beers also said Las Vegas needs to get more water from the Colorado River.

"Then even more people would move here from California," said Titus.

"We haven't talked about the [state] border fence yet," retorted Beers, drawing nervous laughter from the crowd -- which didn't seem entirely sure that the conservative Beers was joking.

Indeed, the two-hour-plus forum would've been a bore if not for Titus and Beers. The liberal and conservative sparred politely and delivered a flurry of one-liners. Gibson and Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, another Republican candidate, showed far less personality. Gibson, a Democrat, is notoriously boring. But we hoped that Hunt, a longtime Las Vegas entertainer, would've put on a better performance.

Later in the forum, the discussion strayed from the topic. Berns asked the candidates what they would do if the bird flu broke out in Nevada, if we are prepared for a terrorist attack and about other issues of the day.

Strangely, Yucca Mountain was not mentioned until Titus brought it up an hour and a half into the forum.

"I'll tell you what you can't do [with Yucca Mountain]," said Titus. "You can't get out there and say I'm opposed to Yucca Mountain -- wink, wink -- and then support a president who is trying to ram it down our throat. It doesn't matter what party you belong to. You put Nevadans first above party politics and you stick by that."

Though she didn't mention any names, Titus was obviously referring to Gov. Kenny Guinn.

The forum was hosted by the American Institute of Architects of Las Vegas, which represents the interests of local architects. The forum was part of the national institute's 150th anniversary celebration and was designed to get citizens and public officials involved in sustainability issues.

About 125 people, many of whom took notes, attended the forum. A second American Institute of Architects forum is scheduled to be held later this month in Reno.

"Actually, I thought the forum was quite revealing about the candidates," said Jeff Rhoades, an architect and urban designer who attended the forum. "I think, very clearly, you got a general sense of what they stand for. But regardless of the specific topic, these folks came in here with a very concise agenda of what they wanted to accomplish."

Matt O'Brien is CityLife's news editor. He can be reached at 871-6780 ext. 350 or mobrien@lvcitylife.com.