2009 Political Picks - Municipal Endorsements 

As is becoming custom, here are my best recommendations after doing a great deal of research and exhaustive interviews, I hope this helps enlighten everyone… JLA  

City of North Las Vegas, Nevada: 

Stephanie Smith for North Las Vegas Mayor 

After a great deal of analysis there’s no doubt in my heart or mind that the best candidate for Mayor of North Las Vegas is Stephanie Smith.  She was able to intelligently answer every tough question I put to her over nearly a two hour interview – this lady is prepared and competent to lead North Las Vegas through these tough economic times and into a bright future responsibly! 

Stephanie has been a teacher and a public servant for 26 years – and more than 20 years in North Las Vegas.  She teaches Orchestra for Grades 6, 7 and 8 at Anthony Saville Middle School.  She served in the State Assembly for District #20 as the Rurals At-Large Representative when her North Las Vegas home was in the undeveloped area north of Ann Road. Stephanie is currently the North Las Vegas City Councilwoman for Ward 3.

Husband Jeff served honorably for 9 years as an Air Force Officer, with a 1 year tour in Iceland.  Stephanie totally supports our troops, intimately understands the sacrifices our military families are making on all our behalf – she is a sister in the “Band of Brothers and Sisters and Families” – I strongly recommend that North Las Vegas citizens go to her website at http://stephaniesmithformayor.com/index.html I’ve done the research and I hope you North Las Vegans, especially the Veterans & Military Families, will do your civic duty by supporting Stephanie – volunteering and voting for Stephanie for Mayor! 

 

Ward 3, North Las Vegas City Council: There’s a newcomer candidate that has really impressed me with his knowledge of the issues and the political process – and he’s also a retired veteran – Felix Acevedo answered a number of tough questions and earned my recommendation! 

 

City of Las Vegas, Nevada: 

 

Ward 2, Las Vegas City Council: I strongly recommend that the citizens of Ward 2 keep Steve Wolfson in office – he’s done an excellent job of listening to all of his constituents and has earned the honor of being re-elected and retained. 

 

Yvonne Karim for Ward 4, Las Vegas City Council 

Yvonne is not a professional politician or a bureaucrat – she’s a committed citizen, a very sharp witted, highly skilled and consummate professional - and one of us! 

Most Military Families know little about the history of veterans in their families – due to the fact that most Veterans just don’t talk about their military service – that’s proven to a big part of the problem and why so many have forgotten who has fought for freedom!

Yvonne’s family is an exception to that rule, the Vets in her family made sure she knows full well that freedom is not free and the full price of peace! 

Collectively, Yvonne’s families have fought in every major conflict since the U. S. Revolutionary War.  Most notably, is the pride that she has of her fathers' service during World War II.  Yvonne's father, Jim Karim, fought with the legendary 101st Airborne Division “The Screaming Eagles”.  With great recollection, he humbly told the story of when his unit made the famous night parachute jump on D-Day – the rest is history. 
 
Yvonne’s husband’s Dad, Emil Raithel, was a Corporal with General George S. Patton's Third Army, 735th Tank Battalion, Company C.  He served at the Battle of the Bulge and was medically evacuated home. He always credited the VA with much the needed medical care that sustained his life.  As the daughter of a veteran with combat experience;  Yvonne totally supports our troops, military families, and veterans.  Yvonne feels it is absolutely unconscionable that deserving veterans have their benefits denied or "diluted."

Yvonne continues her family’s service by volunteering for flights into combat areas with our troops entering harms way.  

What most impresses me about Yvonne Karim is she is truly one of us in the “Band of Brothers AND Sisters AND Families” – and she’s a fighter!  She’s an underdog and she needs the help of the Las Vegas Citizens of Ward 4, so do your duty and elect Yvonne – go to: http://www.yvonne.vpweb.com/default.html volunteer, donate and VOTE! 

 

Ward 6, Las Vegas City Council: I strongly recommend that the citizens of Ward 6 keep Steve Ross by re-electing him he’s done an outstanding job and has earned the honor of being retained! 

 

City of Henderson, Nevada: 

Andy Hafen for Henderson Mayor 

I’ve often said that it seems like only about 30% of politicians are truly motivated as public servants and in politics for all of the right reasons.  While the other 70%, the vast majority, it seems, are not nearly as pure of heart and, too often, only in politics for the personal power, prestige and money.  So, it’s heartening when I have the opportunity to endorse an All-American kind of candidate that we need in public service – that is the case with Andy Hafen! 

Andy is the son of a WWII Veteran.  His Dad, Herschel Hafen, served in the Army as and enlisted man, driving trucks through-out Africa and Italy, as one of the greatest generation.  So, Andy understands the price paid for peace as a Military Family member and I want to encourage every Henderson Veteran and Military Family member to help Andy GOTV (Get Out The Vote)! 

I first met Andy when his daughter Tessa was running for Congress – and I was so very impressed with what an all around great guy he is.  A consummate family man, he’s the kind of guy you would love to have as a neighbor, and the Hafen family is the sort of family that every son or daughter would hope to marry into – I just can’t say it any better.

Go to his website: http://www.andyhafen.com/ to support, volunteer and vote for Andy! 

Kathleen Boutin for Ward 3, Henderson City Council 

This spring, Henderson’s citizens will have the chance to elect both a new mayor and a new council member for Ward 3.  There is one very remarkable lady I am proud, and honored, to fully support for the Ward 3 seat – Kathleen Boutin.   
 
Kathleen is a daughter of a decorated Vietnam War veteran and mother of two, now teenagers, who has lived in Henderson for more than 15 years.  During this time, she has been an active member of the Southern Nevada community.   Boutin has served on the Henderson Boys and Girls Club Board, worked as Treasurer for Shakespeare in the Park and helped to found Arts Alive. 
 
What is most impressive about Kathleen is her passion on behalf of our homeless kids – the thousands of our least fortunate children throughout the valley.  From the core of her compassion and using key skills she gained working at GE Capital and creating her own business, Boutin founded the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth.  This wonderful organization, and Boutin herself, have made significant changes in the lives of hundreds of minors in our community by filling the void of fear with hope and providing them with safe places to live, an education and a job so, they could get a fair shake and a foundation of solid footing, stability, a life-plan and good start into adulthood.  
 
I know Kathleen Boutin will bring the same kind of compassion, focused passion and determination to the Henderson City Council.  I am endorsing her because I believe she will provide all Henderson children, families, businesses, veterans and our seniors with strong leadership to safeguard our quality of life, even in these challenging economic times.  I’m confident there is no better candidate for this seat to trust with your vote!  Go to http://voteforboutin.com/home.html and show your support by volunteering and vote for Kathleen!  She is a member of our “Band of Brothers AND Sisters AND Families!”