Candidates head to final stretch

As Tuesday’s general election draws near, the contested races in Churchill County are making their final push.

Voters have one day left of early voting from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. today at the Churchill County Commissioners chamber. General voting is Tuesday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Fallon Convention Center.

Local races featuring contested positions are sheriff, school board, recorder, public administrator and board members for the Mosquito, Vector and Noxious Weed Abatement District.

The sheriff’s race pits incumbent Ben Trotter against challenger Jay Horsley, while the school board has five candidates — incumbents Rick Gent, Carmen Schank, Clay Hendrix and Nona McFarlane and challenger Matt Hyde — for four positions.

The recorder race features Tasha Hessey against Jaime Dellera, while incumbents Christy Lattin, Jay Lingenfelter, Michael Spencer and challenger Joe Jordan vie for three seats with the Mosquito, Vector and Noxious Weed Abatement District.

None of the weed abatement candidates submitted a statement to the LVN, although Joe Jordan said previously he would not answer any questionnaires from the newspaper.

The final contested race pits Bob Getto against Stuart James MacKie for public administrator.

The LVN asked candidates to submit their final public statement to voters about their campaign and why they would be the best person for office.

Sheriff

Trotter said it has been a privilege to serve the residents of Churchill County and highlighted the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office improved efficiency and proactive approach the past four years.

“What you will continue to get from me is a sheriff with a servant’s heart; a sheriff with unquestionable character and solid values, who stands up for your rights; a sheriff with the education, experience and lifelong personal commitment to get the best value for you from your tax dollars; a sheriff who solicits buy-in from his staff, has a real open-door-policy to staff and to you and who leads by example from the front and with proven effectiveness,” he said. “I have been endorsed by local law enforcement because they believe in what I stand for and how I lead — with fairness, commitment, integrity and humility. This is your position and I would be excited, humbled and honored to continue to serve you.”

Horsley, meanwhile, highlighted his experience and range of duties with the sheriff’s department before his retirement. He said he will improve the quality of service, focus on local issues and handle the budget with fiscal responsibility.

“I have 24 years of law enforcement in this state with 22 of those spent at the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office,” he said. “The opportunity to work as a deputy, sergeant and captain has been an exceptionally rewarding career. In addition to the assignments I was in — patrol, investigations, narcotics and administration — I took on additional responsibilities and programs going beyond what was expected of me. I have continually evaluated how we were doing our jobs, written policies and procedures and implemented many changes.

School board

Gent, Schank, McFarlane, Hendrix and Hyde are in the in the midst of an intriguing race. Hyde did not submit a response to the LVN’s request for a statement.

Gent, though, said the board is only as good as the team assembled by the voters.

“The school board is about a team of individuals that can openly discuss their views, work with other trustees, and come up with a solution/direction that has input from all of the board to guide the school district forward in a positive direction for the citizens of Churchill County,” he said. “So, I would ask the voters of Churchill County to look at all the candidates with this view of a team and vote for members they feel would work well together.”

Hendrix, meanwhile, said debate and discussion is vital to success of the board in addition to technological advances.

“Without discussion, the decisions making process is ineffective,” he said. “Often, advancing the opposing view is important to understand the majority’s view. I try my hardest to make sure that the school board considers all arguments and positions when voting. As a trustee, I do not spend my time in the classroom like teachers and students. Facilitating the teachers and the students is the crux of the Trustee’s duties.

“Significant declines in student enrolment has challenged the school district’s budget. In the traditional bricks and mortar school district model, the transformation is challenging but technological advances are being adopted to help bridge the transformation. Technology increases the number of students who can be taught multiple subjects with a better understanding in the quickly evolving world. In my opinion, the school district needs to prioritize its budget to be more technology friendly. Teachers and students will appreciate it.”

McFarlane, like Hendrix, is running for a second term. She highlighted the board’s ability to renovate most of the schools, added technology and tackled numerous budget issues.

“I have worked hard to be a well-informed, participating, responsible trustee,” she said. “As a board, we have accomplished a lot. We renovated nearly all of our schools, added on a new wing to the old high school creating a middle school, we now have all day kindergarten, added new technology, distance education and built a new track to mention a few.”

McFarlane, though, said the board must improve on communicating its decisions to the district staff and public. However, she added safety of the children is a top priority.

“Where I see we still need to make some improvements is in planning, budgeting, communication with staff and community and improving morale,” she said. “The decision to close West End and the way it was done is an example of poor planning. We are in the beginning of budgeting for the 2015-16 school year and we are facing some tough issues. It is important that we involve everyone as we make decisions.

“We need to improve the culture in our district. We support See Something, Say Something but if someone sees something, they are afraid to say something for fear of retaliation. We must do better. I am about educating kids and would appreciate your vote.”

Schank was appointed to the board three years ago to fill the remaining term of Dennis Gailey and was elected two years ago.

She said she is fiscally conservative and has numerous goals if re-elected.

“Maintaining continuity in programs, staffing and class sizes within a declining budget due to enrollment loss,” Schank said is one of her top priorities.

“I had a part in the creation of and currently serve on a board-driven policy committtee. I will continue to effect good change through policy.

I support rigorous academic achievement, technology, transparency, accountability, safety, communication and parent involvement.

“I believe Common Core brings with it the federalization of education, government overreach and loss of local control,” she added. “What will this set us up for? I am for freedom and individual rights. Therefore, I do not support Common Core as instituted.”

Recorder

It’s one of the most highly publicized races in the county and features two challengers in Hessey and Dellera.

Hessey is the current deputy recorder, while Dellera is employed with the administration staff as the supervisor in the records division in Washoe County.

Dellera said the residents of Churchill County are the driving force behind her decision to run for office. She said her work ethic and experience with Washoe County and formerly Churchill County make her an ideal fit for recorder.

“I hope I have been able to convey that I am a hard worker and have all the experience required to lead the Recorder’s Office,” she said. “I have been preparing for this moment for a long time and after 21 years I have gained a huge amount of varied and diverse experience maintaining thousands of documents for permanent retention. You deserve to have an elected official who will protect your rights and privacy, understands all aspects of local government and will enforce statutory demands. I would consider it an honor to be your next Churchill County Recorder.

Her campaign has taken her to numerous speaking engagements, charity events and meet residents walking door-to-door.

“I appreciate the time you took to ask questions and engage in friendly and spirited conversations,” she added. “Throughout my life, it has been the people of this community that helped me form my values and sense of community obligation.”

Hessey, meanwhile, has been employed for more than seven years in the county recorder’s office. She said her tutelage from former Recorder Vicky Tripp and current recorder Joan Sims has been a valuable learning experience.

“The knowledge and training in all aspects of the office that has been passed down to me makes me the most qualified candidate for recorder,” Hessey said.

“I am the only candidate with experience in the recorder’s office. I believe that in order to have the knowledge and dedication for the recorder’s office, you have to have worked in the recorder’s office as the county requirements and Nevada Revised Statutes followed differ from other county departments. “

Her passion for her campaign has also centered on meeting residents and visiting more than 2,000 homes, attending local events and volunteering at the senior center.

“I will continue to preserve and protect your documents, upgrade technology as needed and continue serving the public’s needs with professionalism, courtesy and promptness,” she added. “I believe all of my hard work will pay off and the voting public appreciates experience and dedication. I look forward to continuing to be a service to this community for many years as your next Churchill County Recorder.”

In addition, Hessey has secured the endorsement of Sims, who decide not to seek re-election.

“I am very proud of Tasha,” Sims said. “She has my full support and endorsement. She has proven herself numerous times, in all that she does. I am very confident in Tasha. She is a very hard worker, gives 110 percent in all that she does. Tasha has the experience and knowledge to step into the elected position to be your next county recorder.”

Public Administrator

Getto and MacKie are running for the final contested race in Churchill County. MacKie had previously said he would not submit any questionnaires to the LVN.

Getto, meanwhile, is a long-time county resident and is eager to take over the position.

“I would like to encourage the public to vote for me for the position of Churchill County Public Administrator because I am qualified, experienced, and have the technical ability to build a public administration program and policy that will benefit the citizens of Churchill County,” he said. “It’s time for the creation of this program, and I’m ready to assist.”

Uncontested races

In the uncontested races, District Attorney Art Mallory, Assessor Denise L Mondhink-Felton, Clerk/Treasurer Kelly Helton, Churchill County Commissioner Pete Olsen and Tenth Judicial District Court Judge Tom Stockard are running unopposed.

All the candidates but Stockard must have at least one vote to be elected to their positions. According to state law, the judicial position was determined in the primary.

State race

Assembly seat 38 is up for grabs with Dr. Tobin Titus, Tim Fasano and John O’Connor vying for the position after Tom Grady termed out.

All three participated in the LVN’s Candidates Night on Oct. 17, but were not asked to submit a questionnaire for this story.