The people of Carson City have no history of electing scoundrels, knaves or incompetents and I suspect we won't in the coming election. All of the candidates for local office appear to be competent, honest individuals, but since many voters go to the polls not so much to vote for someone they like, as to vote against someone they don't like; having all capable candidates could cause low voter turnout.
We are pretty much assured of having acceptable candidates elected, but we shouldn't settle for acceptable; we need the best. The next four years will be critical for Carson City. While our maximum buildout population of approximately 75,000 won't come about until approximately 2012, the decisions, planning and actions necessary to make our city prosperous and comfortable for that many people must be made within the next four years in order to be in place when we do reach buildout.
This means, simply, that the individuals we elect now will be the ones responsible for the Carson City of 2012. We absolutely must have the best people available doing this important work.
Locally, we will be asked to select a new supervisor to replace Kay Bennett, who has served us long and well. Thanks, Kay, and best wishes.
Her replacement will be a person with no experience on the Board of Supervisors. He will join a board where two of the four supervisors will have had only two years learning their jobs.
If incumbent Mayor Ray Maysayko is replaced, our five person Board of Supervisors will consist of a brand new mayor whose time must be shared with the state, a brand new supervisor and two supervisors with only two years experience. Verne Horton's many years of serving on several commttees, including the important Planning Commission, makes him appear to be the best choice for supervisor.
The choice for mayor is critical. There has been much discussion about whether or not a full-time mayor is necessary or if someone can handle the job part time. We cannot afford to make a mistake on this issue. If we elect a part time mayor and it turns out that he can't handle the whole job, we are stuck with the situation for four years - the four years during which the actions and decisions that will shape our future must be made.
Tom Tatro was a supervisor, but has been away from the job for two years. Much has changed during that two years and much more will change during the coming four. The mayor has many functions that must be handled during the work week. Mr. Tatro will be compelled to take time from his full time job with the state, or not take care of the city's business.
Either way, the public will suffer. Fortunately, we have a talented, dedicated city manager, John Berkich, who could take over some of the tasks our current mayor is carrying out. The problem with this is that Mr. Berkich is is already working at capacity and any additional duties would be at the expense of what he is responsible for now. I suspect that having a part-time mayor would require the hiring of additional staff or leaving important things undone.
Ray Maysayko has done a more than commendable job during his four years as full time mayor, and has the time, will, and hard won experience to do an even better job over the next four. We can't afford to lose his valuable experience considering the newness of our coming Board of Supervisors. Though our local election is critical, don't forget that we need to get George W. Bush and John Ensign elected or indeed, we will get Gored.
DENNIS RITCHIE
Carson City
