As I watched the smoke of a political arsonist Michele Fiore’s brushfire grow denser this past week at City Hall, I can only imagine what newly elected Ward 6 City Councilwoman Nancy Brune thinks she’s gotten herself into.

As the Ward 6 representative on the city council, Brune carries a world of credentials into the job. But I’d bet she didn’t bring her firefighter’s turnout gear. Thanks to Fiore’s flammable final meeting after a tempestuous tenure on the council, Brune is walking into a ward full of angry voters.

Located on the city’s northwest end, in less than a generation Ward 6 has gone from an area with a rural feel to one of the fastest-growing parts of the valley. It’s little surprise that where established neighborhoods meet new commercial development, sparks often fly.

Such is the case in the Providence and Skye Canyon communities following a 4-3 vote on Nov. 16 to approve a Green Valley convenience store and car wash adjacent to their neighborhoods. The vote was ramrodded through by Fiore in her final council meeting at a time her residency in the ward was in serious doubt.

That would have automatically disqualified Fiore from voting on the item, according to the Las Vegas City Charter’s residency requirement. By that time, Fiore was busy successfully courting an appointment as a Pahrump Justice of the Peace from the Nye County Commission.

The residency issue has drawn angry complaints on both ends of Fiore’s foray. At least one person has questioned the veracity of her new address in Pahrump. In the Providence and Skye Canyon neighborhoods, her critics are legion. They have complained to Las Vegas City Attorney Bryan Scott, and former Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani has filed a complaint over a second, last-minute vote Fiore forwarded in her get-away meeting. That one, which passed unanimously, involved a bar and restaurant development on State Route 157, the heavily-traveled, two-lane road to Kyle Canyon.

Giunchigliani on Friday said constituents are “stuck in a Catch-22. Someone should have the authority to enforce the city charter or at least investigate this.” She’s not alone in her frustrations at the apparent jurisdictional questions at the city and in Nye County. The former Assemblywoman also noted that the Legislature is now in session if anyone sees the need to close any legal loopholes that might exist.

That is, if any actually do exist and this isn’t just an example of public officials waiting for a fire to burn itself out.

Scott made it clear in his response to Giunchigliani’s sharply-worded letter that “there is no mechanism for either ‘opening a complaint’ or ‘making a determination’ regarding the legality or propriety of any actions taken by the City Council.” Scott’s office represents the city council. For those who might have forgotten, it was Fiore who was supposed to be representing her constituents.

In a homeowners’ news release designed to spark action, Skye Canyon homeowner Andrea Leal called on Brune, asking whether she, “could direct the City Attorney to open an investigation? We feel strongly that the evidence is abundant and clear that Fiore told the Nye County Commission she was a resident on November 14 or 15th.”

Fiore’s statement to Nye officials isn’t in question. It’s on the record. The real question is whether there’s a way for Las Vegas officials to claw back the vote for further review.

If that controversy sounds like kindling for a pending litigation, some of the 800 neighbors who reportedly have joined forces on this issue are dropping strong hits. From Leal: “The fact that we have to incur the expense of a lawsuit seems unconstitutional.”

And Providence resident Matt Passalacqua added, “We are still hopeful our city leaders will move to uphold the City Charter and serve the people as they are supposed to.”

Does that sound like someone preparing to give up the fight?

Those at the city who imagine this will pass like so many other zoning and development teapot tempests could be kidding themselves given the tenacious reputations of Giunchigliani and neighborhood and political consultant Lisa Mayo-DeRiso. The latter has been battling in Ward 6 for more than a decade and in 2022 managed Metro veteran Ray Spencer’s competitive race against Brune. Giunchigliani and Mayo-DeRiso know how to fight and aren’t afraid to throw sharp elbows.

The issue raises questions about the current level of leadership on the council at a time at least two of its members are outlining future political plans that include redecorating the Mayor’s Office. Those seeking a bit of redress for their grievances might be disappointed.

City Attorney Scott is already taking the heat after his office was repeatedly contacted by constituents seeking assistance and a public review of the propriety of the votes. His job is appointed.

Brune’s position is elected. Thanks to her predecessor’s political pyromania, she figures to be tested by a fire that she didn’t start.

John L. Smith is an author and longtime columnist. He was born in Henderson and his family’s Nevada roots go back to 1881. His stories have appeared in Time, Readers Digest, The Daily Beast, Reuters, Ruralite and Desert Companion, among others. He also offers weekly commentary on Nevada Public Radio station KNPR. His newest book—a biography of iconic Nevada civil rights and political leader, Joe Neal— “Westside Slugger: Joe Neal’s Lifelong Fight for Social Justice” is published by University of Nevada Press and is available at Amazon.com. He is also the author of a new book, "Saints, Sinners, and Sovereign Citizens: The Endless War Over the West’s Public Lands." On Twitter: @jlnevadasmith.