CARSON CITY -- Twelve of the 18 people named by Gov. Kenny Guinn to the newly created Nevada Commission on Homeland Security are from Clark County.
The commission will make suggestions on how to protect the state against a terrorist attack and will have a major say in how homeland security funding is divvied up.
Guinn named his homeland security adviser Jerry Bussell as chairman of the commission Thursday and former Clark County Sheriff Jerry Keller as vice chairman. Keller was hired in March as security chief for Wynn Resorts.
Stacking the commission with members -- and leadership -- from Clark County was intentional, officials said.
"It's obvious that Clark County faces a greater potential threat than other places in the state," Bussell said. "The majority of the state's population lies within Clark County, so it makes sense that a majority of the commission be from there."
Sheriff Bill Young, who has been outspoken about Clark County not getting its fair share of anti-terrorism funds, was also named to the commission.
Henderson Police Chief Michael Mayberry said the makeup of the commission is an important step in recognizing Southern Nevada's needs.
"I think the makeup of the commission better represents Nevada and better represents the voice that the south needs," Mayberry said. "In addition to having the majority of the population, Southern Nevada also has the added factors of a major airport and Hoover Dam."
Hoover Dam, McCarran International Airport and the Las Vegas Strip, which can host more than 250,000 tourists on a given day, are acknowledged as some of the state's most likely terrorist targets, law enforcement officials said.
The commission, established by the 2003 Legislature, is required to identify buildings and infrastructure to be protected; to make sure communication systems are compatible and to have a plan for the continuation of government in case of attack.
The members will make recommendations to Guinn for the protection of sensitive state documents and computer systems and to make sure there is state oversight to coordinate anti-terrorism initiatives.
Bussell said the first meeting of the commission is scheduled for Nov. 5 in Las Vegas. The way funds are disbursed, as well as the need for a joint communication system that allows first responders to quickly and easily reach each other in emergency situations, will be high priorities for the commission.
Others on the committee include Metro Police Lt. John Alamshaw, Clark County Fire Protection Engineer Richard Brenner and Dr. Dale Carrison, director and chairman of emergency medicine at University Medical Center.
The committee also includes registered nurse Maria Lipscomb of UMC; North Las Vegas special projects analyst Kimberly McDonald; Maureen Peckman, a principal for the Schafer Co. in Las Vegas; Jack Staley of the Southern Nevada Water Authority; Bob Fisher of Henderson, who is president of the Nevada Broadcasters Association, and Las Vegas City Councilman Lawrence Weekly.
Other commission members are Washoe County Sheriff Dennis Balaam; Reno Mayor Bob Cashell; Robert Hadfield, executive director of the Nevada Associations of Counties; Nevada National Guard commander Gen. Giles Vanderhoof of Sparks and retired judge Larma Volk of Sparks.
Guinn said, "Domestic preparedness for acts of terrorism and related emergencies is a top priority during these trying times" and, he said, he is confident those appointed will serve "with the utmost integrity."
On the day the appointments were announced, however, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said his concerns remain about regional coordination in times of disaster.
He said he'd be speaking soon at a U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting, and the topic would be regional response to homeland security. He said we don't have the regional part down yet.
Goodman said when he speaks to the conference of mayors about regional homeland security efforts he will have a simple message: "I can tell you right now there aren't any."
He said the city's effective response to the flood of Aug. 19 was due to three key elements, which apply to any emergency situation -- reliability, honesty and uniformity of message. But he said the task was made easier because the flooding so so highly localized.
"If it became a regional problem I'd hate to see elbows pushing people out of the way," Goodman said.
archive