Commission incumbents say they'll run again

MINDEN - The official start of the election season is more than three months away, but the majority of Douglas County's commissioners are eyeing another term.

Kelly Kite, who lives in the Johnson Lane area, said he will try for a second term representing District 5, which covers the northern Carson Valley.

Steve Weissinger, who represents District 1, the Gardnerville Ranchos, said he hasn't made a final decision, but he'll run again if his family and health are all right.

Bernie Curtis, who represents District 3 which covers Gardnerville and the Topaz area, recently said he's "pretty certain" he'll make another bid.

The three commissioners took office in 1997. Their terms expire in December along with those of state Assemblyman Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville; East Fork Justice of the Peace Jim EnEarl; Tahoe Township Justice of the Peace Steve McMorris and school board trustees David Brady, George Echan, Don Forrester, John Raker and Randy Wallstrum.

Seats on the Minden, Gardnerville and Genoa town boards and more than 20 general improvement districts will also be open.

County commission members, who belong to one of the more visible elected bodies, cited projects like the redevelopment area, now home to Target and Home Depot, as factors in their decisions.

While Weissinger is not certain he'll run again, he said he's been encouraged by offers of financial campaign support and compliments from residents.

"If I've got my family commitment like I've had and I've got my health, I'll consider it," he said. "All the signs I've been getting from the citizens are positive. If I can keep that same level of commitment, I will consider running again."

Kite said he was planning an announcement of his recent decision.

"I've been thinking about it for a long time," he said. "We've got a lot of things going right now that I'd like to see finished up. I'd like to see the redevelopment district to fruition."

Curtis, who started a new job Monday as deputy director of public safety for the Department of Public Safety, recently said he values the commission work and expects to seek another four years.

Assemblyman Hettrick, who took office in 1993, has indicated he plans to run again.

"I'm certain I'm running this time, though I am not certain how many times I will be running after that," he said.

The election filing period runs May 1-15. The primary election will be Sept. 5, with the general Nov. 7. Voter registration for each election closes one month before the election dates.