GENERAL ELECTION GUIDE: Storey County Commission District 1

WILLIAM "BILL" SJOVANGEN

Party: Republican

Mailing Address: Box 1148, Virginia City, 89440

Telephone: 847-7558

E-mail: willbison@earthlink.net

Explain your background and how this qualifies you for the position you are

seeking.

I have more than 40 years working with government in federal civil service

and the U.S. Air Force. My education centers around organizational

management, public administration and human resources.

After retiring from federal service in 1996 I served as president of the

Virginia City Chamber of Commerce, executive director of the Virginia City

Convention and Tourism Authority and currently serve as vice vhairman of the

Regional Transportation Commission.

What are the most important issues that you would address if elected?

Water resources are a continuing concern, improvement of the V&T Railroad

facilities in Virginia City and maintaining a reasonable and sustainable

growth rate in Storey County. Other areas of consideration will be constant

monitoring budget matters.

Why should voters choose you over other candidate?

Without knowing the other candidate's complete history and management

philosophy, I think this question is best left to the voters.

___________________

LARRY PRATER

Party: Democrat

Mail: PO Box 165, Virginia City, NV 89440

Phone: (775)847-0465

E-mail: lprater@powernet.net

Explain your background and how this qualifies you for the position you are

seeking.

I am a graduate of UNR with a bachelor of science degree in civil

engineering and a licensed civil engineer in Nevada and California. My 45

years of professional experience include an 18-month contract in Saudi

Arabia as a construction manager and project manager on several

multimillion-dollar projects in the Reno area, including the Sierra Pacific

office building on Neil Road, the Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant, and the

Federal Courthouse on South Virginia Street. I currently own and manage a

small structural design business in Reno.

Thirty years ago my wife and I built our home in Virginia City Highlands,

and soon after I became involved in local politics, first with a position on

the planning commission, next as a school board trustee, and then as county

commissioner from 1988-1994. While on the county commission I represented

Storey County on the Tri-county Commission for the Restoration of the V&T

railway. In 1998 I was reappointed to the planning commission and have

served there since. I sincerely believe my background and experience make

me qualified to once again serve the citizens of Storey County as their

commissioner from District One.

What are the most important issues that you would address if elected?

Storey County is unique, and probably one of the most diverse small counties

in the nation. Our citizens enjoy the many benefits of rural and small-town

life. At the same time the county is home to major regional assets like the

historic Comstock Mining District, the V&T Railroad, and the Tahoe-Reno

Industrial Center. If elected, I promise do everything I can to protect our

lifestyle and those important assets, and to discourage inappropriate

intrusions such as the recently proposed Cordevista residential development

and the wind farm above Virginia City. Additionally, our current uncertain

economy demands that your local government practice cautious fiscal

management. I would assure that our citizens' hard-earned tax dollars are

spent wisely and equitably.

Why should voters choose you over other candidate?

I believe my long and varied service to Storey County, coupled with my

professional and business background, provide me with the knowledge and

experience to best serve the interests of all of the county's citizens. I

also believe that through my prior positions I have established a reputation

for objectivity, integrity, and fair-mindedness. I sincerely hope that the

voters of Storey County agree, and vote for me in the upcoming election.