Carson City teen mayor of Reno for one day

Reno's mayor on Wednesday discussed a proposed homeless shelter and promoting Reno for conventions - and then drove home to Carson City.

Carson City's John Robert Brumner II served as mayor of Reno for a day, conducting a meeting of fellow Reno high school students who were serving as members of the city council and staff.

John is an 18-year-old senior at Bishop Manogue High School in Reno and the son of Mary Jo and John Robert Brumner of Carson City.

"When he ran for mayor, the other students asked, 'How can you run for mayor? You live in Carson," Mary Jo Brumner said Wednesday morning. "He told them he is in Reno every day and knows about the issues."

John commutes to school from Carson City every day with his brother, Christopher.

"They have to get up at 5:30 a.m. every morning to make it to school by 10 after 7. John is on the debate team."

John is in Jack Niel's advanced placement government class, where each student has to do some community work.

The acting Reno City Council consisted of eight students from Reno high schools and the Truckee Meadows Community College high school program.

The students shadowed council members on Wednesday morning and then convened a meeting. Students also heard a presentation on Special Olympics and a proclamation for deceased Wooster High School Principal Steve Racki.

Student Day at Reno City Hall started in 1998 to introduce high school students to the operation of local government. Besides Bishop Manogue, about three-dozen students representing Galena, Washoe, McQueen, North Valleys, Wooster, Reno and Hug participated in the council.

Victoria Rocha, daughter of State Archivist Guy Rocha, served as city manager; and Kat Farley, daughter of Reno-Gazette Journal columnist Cory Farley, was director of community relations.

Contact Kurt Hildebrand at hildebrand@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1215.