Primary Election 2022: Churchill County Commissioner, District 2

Tanya Freeman
Occupation: Business Owner
Age: 64

Contact: tdf9669.tf20@gmail.com                               

Record of service:
United States Army, 1976-78 PVT2
Constable, Alabama 1981-85
United States Navy, 1990-92 Seamen 1
Education:
Journeyman Sheetmetal Certificate
Journeyman Ironworker Certificate
Journeyman Farrier Certificate
Journeyman Equipment Operator
Journeyman Woodworker

A brief statement about your platform
Listening to my community is my first priority. As a Commissioner I feel that we should listen to what our community's needs are and that my job is to abide by the community's wishes. The Constitution says "We The People" not "Us the Government" - I will work to take back lands that are rightfully the county's from the state and federal government. I will support our farming and ranching community. I am running for County Commissioner because we need a change.

What makes you the most qualified candidate for this position?
I am not a career politician. I have lived in this community for over 20 years. I've seen some good and some bad in our county, and would like the opportunity to make some positive changes. I don't believe there are any special qualifications that make one the best candidate for Commissioner - other than caring about and listening to the community.


Myles Getto
Occupation: Self Employed Farmer
Age: 22
Email: MGettoforChurchill@gmail.com
Record of Service:
Churchill County Planning Commission 2.5 years.
Education:
Churchill County High School
A brief statement about your platform
My three main concerns for Churchill County are agricultural preservation, water management, and affordable housing. As our population grows we need to continue to manage our available vacant ground. This allows our farm ground to remain farm ground while alleviating the housing pressure we are facing. Furthermore, as our surrounding cities and towns grow water will become the most sought after resource, without a strong figure to protect and be vocal about our water, others will try to come for it. As Mark Twain once wrote “Whiskey is for drinking, Water is for fighting;” if elected, I’d be up for the fight. We are blessed to live in an area that is powered by such a strong aquifer, but with that blessing comes huge responsibility. Another large responsibility of Churchill County is evaluating and acting upon housing needs of the community. The current housing prices are not sustainable for anyone, but we have to be smart about where we add housing if we wish to maintain our rural way of life. Nobody enjoys seeing growth, but it’s like a freight train, there is no stopping it, only switching its track to guide and mold it into what is needed and what is beneficial to the community.
What makes you the most qualified candidate for this position?
Coming in at a cool 22, many will think I’m too young for this position, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I began my own farm at the age of 16 while still in high school consisting of 80 acres here in Fallon, while also helping my father expand our family farm from 105 acres to nearly 1,000 acres. At age 17 I opened a gym (Getto Brothers Old School Fitness) with my brother, which now has over 400 members. At age 19 I applied to be on the Churchill County Planning Commission, which I have spent the last two and a half years working diligently in the hopes of bettering my community. My business time in Churchill County has given me insight to the needs of our home. Throughout the years being in Fallon, I have become immersed with the older generations, gathering their opinions, thoughts, and views all while maintaining my young outlook on life. This gives me a unique outlook on Churchill County. I can balance what older generations view and what the future generations need. Being connected to both existing and future generations is very important in my eyes. I have the passion and love for Fallon that many older generations carry, all the while facing problems that my generation is seeing, like being able to afford a house, or even finding one that stays on the market long enough to place an offer. I’m the perfect candidate for this position given my time on the Planning Commission, connections made within the community, and the passion and love I hold for Churchill County, it’s my home, our home, and if elected I plan to preserve our home and its uniqueness, which is a challenge but I’m up for said challenge.


Thomas L. “Tom” Riggins
Occupation: Real estate appraiser
Age: 67
Contact:
Cell Phone: 775-217-9699
Business Phone: 775-867-3788
Email: riggins@cccomm.net
Website: bit/ly/RigginsforCommissioner
Facebook: #riggins4commissioner
Instagram: rigginsforcommissioner

I currently serve on the Churchill County Board of Equalization. I was an opinion columnist for LVN for several years until I decided to run for this office. I have been an active supporter of 4H and FFA, having served as a 4H club leader for several years. I served on the Vo-Ag advisory committee and the high school vocational advisory committee before serving on the Churchill County School Board. I served 12 years with the Nevada State Fair, both as a committee and board member.

Education:
I am a graduate of University of Nevada, Reno with dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Animal Science and Education.

A brief statement about your platform
Water is a precious resource. As goes our water, so goes agriculture, and so goes the valley’s lifeblood. A collaboration of municipal, agriculture, and other water users needs to be created to protect our resource. There is strength in numbers.
Well planned residential growth is needed to accommodate housing demand. There are projects rumored to be planned that exceed the size, type, and scope of anything seen in this county before. I believe my training and experience with real estate offers the best choice to deal with this growth.
Expanded economic opportunities need to be facilitated. One complaint of parents is that children who want to stay in Churchill County find it necessary to go elsewhere for employment. I would also like to explore the feasibility of a business park concept as opposed to the current highway frontage system. This would make it easier to serve with county water and sewer and offer more site size flexibility.
Important along with these goals is to retain open space and agriculture lands. These are a critical part of the lifestyle residents enjoy.

What makes you the most qualified candidate for this position?
I have lived in Churchill County for over 40 years. I chose to run for County Commissioner because I see outside interests influencing our lifestyle. State and federal officials, elected and otherwise, seek to acquire our water, mineral resources, and money through legislation and policy declarations. Factors influencing the scope and rate of growth are outside of the county’s influence. It will take knowledge and experience to deal with these issues.
My background and experience is in real estate, agriculture, and finance. From those endeavors I have learned to gather and analyze information, make decisions based on fact rather than emotion, negotiate, and get along with people to gain a desired result. This gives me a lifetime of experience in dealing with increasingly complex issues facing the county.
I was an opinion columnist for the Lahontan Valley News for several years. My beliefs are archived there and haven’t changed. My core belief is that government exists to serve the people, not the other way around. The government that governs best does so the least and most locally. I believe in the Constitution as written, including the amendments. That said, a leader must also be pragmatic to be effective. I believe my background and experience offers the best choice for common sense leadership through whatever the future may bring to Churchill County.