New PAC puts civility, qualifications before party identity

A group of Carson City residents are forming a political action committee with a mission of bringing civility back to local politics.

Members plan to interview candidates and provide endorsements before the Aug. 15 primary election.

"We want to put our party affiliations aside, and see accomplished what we believe needs to be accomplished for our community," said Shelly Aldean, a city supervisor and the PAC's president.

Some partisan groups won't even talk to candidates of a different political party, no matter whether that candidate is qualified for the office they seek, Aldean said.

The Carson City Bipartisan Political Action Committee also is accepting donations. If there is enough money, the group also would like to donate to the campaign funds of those they opt to endorse.

The group was started in November, now has eight members - one member is running for supervisor so he is listed on the roster as "inactive" - and is registered with the secretary of state. Aldean and Jim Lemaire, a school board trustee, would have to step aside if they continue with the PAC and run for their elected offices in 2008.

Three of the other members are related: Elizabeth Brogan, treasurer for the Carson City Area Chamber of Commerce. Jed Block, a local business owner, member of the chamber, and Western Nevada Community College Foundation board, is Brogan's son. And Block's wife, Nicole, is a member of the college board, among other endeavors.

Rounding out the current membership are Candace Duncan, executive director of tourism for the convention and visitors bureau; Helaine Jesse, Western Nevada Community College's vice president of institutional advancement; and Ronni Hannaman, executive director of the chamber.

"What makes this a great place to live also makes it a great place to visit," Duncan said. One of her political pet peeves is the lack of ability to have a discussion about issues "and not be attacked."

It's a group of people who would come into frequent contact with one another and virtually all have strong ties to the local business community. It has no direct connection to any business or economic groups, and residents from other backgrounds are urged to join, Aldean emphasized.

A person or group must register with the state that "solicits or receives contributions from any other person, group or entity and makes or intends to make contributions to candidates or other persons or makes or intends to make expenditures designed to affect the outcome of any primary, general or special election or question on the ballot," according to state code.

Members might be entering a consensus, but won't be "neutering ourselves politically," Aldean said.

"We're representing the public," she said. "If we focus on ideas and not affiliations, hopefully, we'll be able to determine whether they are qualified."

There are partisan PACs and committees formed for specific issues, such as Keep Local Taxes Local or Ormsby County Education Association, but no localized, nonpartisan, general interest PACs are registered with the state.

Candidate interviews will be done behind closed doors, however. And if you want to see the interviews, "join the group," Brogan said.



• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber@nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.

For more info

CONTACT: Carson City Bipartisan Political Action Committee is P.O. Box 256, Carson City, NV 89702. CALL: 885-8282.