Carson City's newly elected officials Ready to go to work

Judge James Todd Russell, appointed to the District Court by Gov. Kenny Guinn in November, took the oath of office Monday, put on his robe, and went right to work.

As Russell alternated with Judge William Maddox to swear in Carson City's newly elected officials, those public servants were eagerly looking forward to serving Carson City's residents. Some, like school trustees Joe Enge and Barbara Howe, had started even before they came before Judge Maddox to take their oaths.

Enge said he's already read the entirely audited budget for the school district.

"Couldn't make out the plot or the characters, but there were a lot of numbers," he joked.

He said his top goal was to push the district into making "research-based decisions to maximize student achievement."

For example, Enge said, research indicates that the benefits of all-day kindergarten are lost by the third grade.

"So is that where we should focus our energy when middle and high school is where we're seeing a problem?" he said. "If parents want full-day child care, call it what it is and don't give it academic value."

Howe, who has lived in the area for only two years, reiterated the four points of her campaign: encourage health in families through nutrition and physical "doing" as well as learning; safe routes to school for children who walk or ride bicycles; creating collaborative policies with other agencies; and the recruitment and retention of great teachers.

"I've met a few teachers that the biggest requirement is they have a pulse," Howe said. "That's a little scary to me."

She said she hopes four years is enough time to get her priorities going.

Also sworn in were returning school trustees Robert Crowell and Norm Scoggin.

Scoggin, entering his third term, is happy with the school board, so less gung-ho than his new colleagues.

"I think we have an excellent school system. We've been very successful," he said. "But there's always room for improvement."

Oaths for District Attorney Neil Rombardo, Sheriff Kenny Furlong, Assessor Dave Dawley, Treasurer Alvin Kramer and Clerk-Recorder Alan Glover were administered by Russell.

Rombardo is also rarin' to go.

"I'm ready, and I'm doing some stuff today," he said.

Rombardo will focus on implementing "vertical prosecution, with one prosecutor handling a case from beginning to end," he said. "We'll do more for victims' rights, make sure victims are taken care of, and that's the main reason behind vertical prosecution."

Rombardo said often when cases are passed from one prosecutor to another, as in the past, victims were hurt by delays and continuances.

Justices of the peace Robey Willis and John Tatro were sworn in by Russell. Tatro, in his third six-year term, said he loves his job.

"If in six years I feel the way I do now about my job, I'll run again," he said.

Some officials aren't so fortunate as justices, who have no term limits. Carson City Supervisor Pete Livermore, who along with Supervisor Robin Williamson was sworn in by Maddox, will be serving his final term.

"I'm term limited out after this," Livermore said. "But there's always something else you get to do."

Around the region

Maddox and Russell left Carson City for the Comstock, following the ceremony in the valley, to swear in newly elected Storey County officials. The First Judicial District, for which two judges serve, includes Carson City and Storey County.

Incumbents Sheriff James Miller, District Attorney Harold Swafford and Assessor Kathy Weeks joined first-term officers Clerk/Treasurer Lorraine Du Fresne and Recorder/Auditor Sarah Jensen as the county's constitutional officers took their oaths. Justice of the Peace Annette Daniels, Commissioner John Flanagan and Canyon General Improvement District trustees Ed Gilbert and Bret Tyler also were sworn in.

Missing from the proceedings were school board trustees Pam Smith and Deny Dotson and several others from the improvement districts. However, they can be sworn in later by a notary.

Lyon County officials will be sworn in today. In Douglas County, officials took their oaths Dec. 22.

• Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 351.