Candidate survey: Chuck Roberts, Lyon Co. Commissioner, District 1

Name: Chuck Roberts, Candidate Lyon County Commissioner, District 1

Age: 54

Address: P.O. Box 2403, Dayton, NV 89403

Phone number and campaign Web site: 775-246-5060, ElectChuckRoberts.com

Profession: 25 years as owner and manager of building materials manufacturing business in Lyon County

Political experience:

Planning Commissioner, currently serving sixth year, two years as chair;

Capital Improvements Advisory Committee, member;

Impact Fee Committee chair;

Lyon County Code Title 11 Review Committee, member;

Central Lyon Fire Policies and Procedures Committee, member;

West Central Lyon County Master Plan Committee, member;

Mound House Advisory Council, four years as chair.

Please write a short biography of yourself (This answer may be up to 200 words; you might include such things as birthplace, career, community involvement, family, etc.):

Childhood spent at Lake Tahoe; moved to Northern Nevada in 1968; married to Vickie, a third generation Nevadan, for 27 years; 12-year-old son Matthew; 25 year business owner and manager; commercial pilot; Nevada peace officer.

What qualifies you to be county commissioner?

I am currently a Lyon County Planning Commissioner and have served six additional Lyon County appointments during my 10 uninterrupted years of community service. For the past 25 years, I have owned and managed a manufacturing business, wherein I have engaged in all matters of public relations, staff management, and fiscal responsibility. In managing a very competitive business, I am required to identify and resolve conflicts before any reach a crisis stage, act quickly and decisively on any market or conditional change, and stretch each dollar to its maximum benefit.

What would you do to solve the county's financial problems?

Encourage the commission to direct the county manager to conduct a cooperative review of county practices and identify any action that contributes to the problems, and if appropriate, immediately stop that action or practice; promote economic development; conduct a review and modification of time requirements for the application and approval process of economic development projects, i.e., building and related permits/reviews, so that Lyon County does not lose to another jurisdiction any projects that are time sensitive. However, if the budget must be cut, we will have to examine all of our county expenditures and trim those that harm the fewest.

What action would you take to get a new jail built? Where should it go?

Currently, Lyon County has approximately $21 million in reserve and available bond monies to cover the cost of such a project. Before deciding whether to expand or relocate the jail, the scope of the project must first be defined, i.e., is it only the jail or will it be a justice center with courts and other necessary facilities? When the project is defined, what will it cost? If the cost exceeds $21 million, other alternatives will need to be considered, such as expanding the existing jail. Long-term operating costs will determine the location.

What makes you a better choice than your opponent?

I offer 10 years of community service and 25 years of solid business experience to the position of County Commissioner. As a 25 year Lyon County resident, I am very familiar with the county's history, regional cultures, growth patterns, economic cycles, and the origins of issues that we will be required to resolve in the future. I am obligated to the citizenry, not to any special interest. I maintain an independent, knowledgeable viewpoint and have a proven record of community service with the ability to work well with others in a unified leadership role to solve problems.

Name the three top issues Lyon County must face in the future.

The most critical issues facing Lyon County today are (1) master planning, including a transportation and water resource plan efficient enough to handle our recent and future growth; (2) creating sound economic development policies that promote stable tax revenues and provide quality job opportunities; and (3) developing practicable strategies to manage the projected revenue shortfalls.

Describe how you see your role as commissioner.

The duties of County Commissioner are contained in Chapter 244 of the Nevada Revised Statutes and include overseeing or regulating the budget, land use, maintenance of county facilities, maintaining an indigent fund, imposing taxes, and so on. In addition to the statutory role, a Commissioner must represent the citizenry with dignity, respect, and impartiality. Also, a Commissioner must maintain a good working relationship with other elected officials, appointed officials, business leaders, involved citizens, and all other jurisdictions and boards throughout the county and state.

What would be your priorities if elected?

As a new commissioner, my first priority must be to earn the trust and respect of my fellow commissioners. From that point, I will cooperate with my fellow commissioners in addressing the many issues that face the county.

What change would you bring?

I would improve the communication and public relations between the governing body and the citizenry it serves. I believe that it is not only the role of the commissioners to make the decisions necessary to manage the county, but also to keep the citizenry informed and make certain that they have full understanding of the policies and decisions made.

What else would you like to say to voters about your qualifications and ideas?

I am the candidate that listens. I believe that the voice of the citizens must be heard in order to successfully resolve the issues that we will face in the years ahead. If elected, I promise you that I will be easily accessible and always listen to your concerns; promote responsible spending and fiscal accountability; represent all citizens, not just special interests; and not support any new taxes without a vote of the people.

Remember"good government begins with your vote, and I am asking for your vote on November 4th.