Mapes Hotel crusader defeats Reno City Council incumbent

RENO, Nev. - The daughter of a former Reno mayor won a seat on the City Council Tuesday along with an historic preservation activist who fought a losing battle to block the demolition of the old Mapes Hotel.

Reno voters also approved a new limit on the number of billboards in the city while Washoe County voters endorsed $38 million in new spending on parks and protection open space, but defeated a $86 million proposal for a new regional justice center.

Jessica Sferrazza-Hogan, daughter of former Reno Mayor Pete Sferrazza, won with 52 percent to Glade Hall's 48 percent in the Ward 3 council race without an incumbent.

In the Ward 1 race, incumbent Tom Herndon lost to Toni Harsh, the president of the Truckee Meadows Heritage Trust who headed the effort to save the Mapes, which was demolished in January. She won 58 percent to 41 percent.

Two other incumbents won re-election - Dave Aiazzi over James Mike Tracy, 53 percent to 47 percent in Ward 3, and Peirre Hascheff over former city councilwoman Judy Pruett-Hermann 58 percent to 42 percent for the at-large seat.

In Washoe County, the bond issue for parks and open space passed on a vote of 53 percent to 47 percent.

The justice center was soundly defeated 70 percent to 30 percent despite endorsements from a wide variety of local leaders, from former U.S. Rep. Barbara Vucanovich to ex-University of Nevada-Reno President Joe Crowley and Judge Mills Lane.