I’m guessing there are many of you out there who had thoughts similar to mine after Jeanne Stewart narrowly defeated Craig Pridemore in the November general election for a seat on what is now known as the Clark County Board of Councilors.
Would Stewart get bullied by councilors David Madore and Tom Mielke? Would she just rubber stamp her fellow conservative councilors’ agenda for the county? Or, would she be an independent voice when appropriate – that much appreciated lone voice of dissent (when needed) that we’ve talked about in this space before.
If Pridemore had won, I think we all envisioned some fireworks on the Board. I’m pretty sure that would have been the case. The journalist in me is kind of disappointed that’s not the outcome we got. It could have been a lot of fun to observe and eventful to write about.
Instead, we got Stewart, ideologically in line on many issues with Madore and Mielke, a veteran politician with a level-headed, even-keeled approach and seemingly few staunch enemies. I’ve got to say, in the three months or so since she was elected, I’ve been impressed with what I’ve witnessed.
Stewart has shown that she will not take a backseat to Madore and Mielke. She will not be bullied, coerced or run over. Don’t take that as a declaration that her fellow councilors have attempted to do those things to her. But let’s face it, whether you love ‘em or hate ‘em, agree with ‘em or disagree, Madore and Mielke haven’t always used the best political diplomacy when steamrolling others with their respective (collective?) agenda(s). So, it’s appropriate for us to have a watchful eye as we assess the dynamics of the three during the early months of this new Board of County Councilors
I know their many opponents will likely disagree, but I think we’ve seen signs of the kinder, gentler sides of Madore and Mielke in recent months. It might be too late for them to mend some of the fences they’ve flattened in the past couple of years, but I think a little different tact by the two might be a good move in this politically acrimonious county of ours.
Stewart seems to have that tact that’s been missing on the Board in recent years. It’s my opinion that her approach might be more successful with those who aren’t as dyed-in-the-wool conservative as those who never find fault with Madore and Mielke.
Take the recent decision to display “In God We Trust’’ in the sixth floor meeting room of the Clark County Public Service Center. If we play back the last few weeks, it’s hard not to respect Stewart’s actions during the debate. And remember, I was clearly in favor of displaying the motto and Stewart was the lone vote of opposition.
Mielke made the motion to display the motto. It was his baby from the beginning. I believe that Madore sincerely listened to all the feedback he was getting before making the conscious decision to eventually jump on board, after at first refusing to if Stewart wouldn’t make it a unanimous decision.
“At one point, Mr. Madore did pause on his support because of his concern that if it wasn’t unanimous it wouldn’t be a good idea,’’ Stewart said.
And, Stewart admitted her fellow councilors did lean on her a little through the process.
“A lot of people asked me if I got pressured about this decision,’’ Stewart said. “Absolutely, I felt pressure. I felt pressure from Republicans. I felt pressure from Democrats. I felt pressure from non-believers and from churches who thought it was the right thing to do. There was pressure. There was a lot of pressure.’’
Stewart said she was asked specifically if she felt pressure from her fllow councilors to vote in favor of displaying the motto.
“Did my fellow councilors here pressure me?’’ Stewart asked rhetorically. “They let me know what they thought the right answer was, no question about that.’’
Stewart said she was then asked if she felt bullied by Madore and Mielke.
“Being bullied is, in part, a state of your own mind,’’ Stewart said. “If you’re self confident you have the ability to make a sound decision. People can make suggestions, but I would never call that bullying. I don’t have a psychology where I’m looking to bully somebody or to be bullied.
“As an elected official, I often ask myself, “Am I just being stubborn about this?’’’ Stewart said. “I did do that in this case and I decided, “No girl, I think you’re right on this one.’’’
So, in the face of admitted pressure coming from sources on all sides of the issue, Stewart took her time and carefully cast a vote in opposition of her fellow councilors. I applaud her for that.
Ken Vance
Editor
