Steve Seroka is a third candidate seeking the seat representing Ward 2 on the Las Vegas City Council.
He is trying to take the job from Bob Beers, a former state lawmaker-turned-city councilman.
The main issue facing Ward 2 is the controversial effort to convert the Badlands Golf Course a neighborhood. Bob Beers voted for it.
In an interview with KNPR's State of Nevada, Beers said the property was zoned residential and if the city didn't approve the developers plan it could get sued for millions of dollars.
Seroka, a former Air Force colonel, disagrees. He said the decision by the council hurt the home values in the surrounding Queensridge development and throughout Ward 2.
He also said the decision will set a precedent.
“When developers realize that golf courses and open spaces are more valuable, financially, to be developed than to be continued as open space, all of Ward 2 and in fact all of Southern Nevada could be at risk,” Seroka said.
Seroka said he has a plan to fix the problem that already has developers and homeowners sitting down to talk. He believes a land swap can be worked out where the developers take another piece of land and turn the golf course over to the city.
He doesn't have a specific piece of property in mind but believes there are solutions.
“That is what I do," he said, "I try to bring together both sides to try to find the win-win solution”
Seroka admits he didn't think about running for office until the dispute started with Badlands. He believes the situation with the developers, homeowners and the city council are indictive of how Bob Beers operates.
The former Air Force colonel said he'll bring his character and morals to the city council.
“I think my number one strength is that I’m independent,” he said.
Seroka said if he's elected he'll "eliminate the influence of big donors and super lobbyists" from the council's process and restore the voice of the people.
Also on KNPR's State of Nevada:
City Council Challenger Says Golf Course Development All Wrong
Beers Facing First Real Fight For City Council
Steve Seroka, candidate, Ward 2 City Council
