'Working together' main topic at mayoral debate

Carson City election races broke ground Tuesday night at a Builders Association of Northern Nevada dinner with mayoral and supervisor candidates featuring a variety of styles, but similar ideas for the city's future.

Ex-Mayor Marv Teixeira delivered a speech laced with his commitment to work with the community and region if elected. Mayor Ray Masayko chose a bit of humor and a laundry list of accomplishments.

"The most important thing is to create synergism, be proactive and not reactive ... and a buy-in of all parties," Teixeira said. "The government can't do jack, the people can. And if the people can, we will get there.

"We need to get down the road together," the ex-mayor said. He also committed to developing agreements with Lyon and Douglas counties if elected.

Masayko said he is also in favor of working with Douglas and Lyon counties.

"We flat cannot afford to be fierce competitors," he said. "We need to collaborate and cooperate."

Teixeira, a 69-year-old retiree who currently volunteers on the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Club and a bank, is seeking another term. He served from 1989 to 1996, but decided not to run for a third term at the time.

Teixeira said if elected, he will continue pushing for the Virginia & Truckee Railroad and freeway projects. The V&T reconstruction got its start when he was in office.

"I'm better prepared today to serve this community as mayor than I was the first eight years," he said.

Two-term incumbent Masayko said the candidate race wasn't his "most favorite thing to do" but he loved the community and the job and was ready for another term.

"I work full time at this job," Masayko said. "It's what I think I need to give. I look at government as an open, accountable exercise in doing the people's business. I love the community, I love my job. I'm not done yet."

The self-described fiscal conservative said he will continue to push to keep tax rates low and spending low. One of his top priorities is to see the southern leg of the Carson City freeway finished.

Also, Masayko said it was vitally important for the city and region to complete the Virginia & Truckee Railroad project and to maintain the tourist economic base. He would continue to work on the storm drainage project, building a new sheriff's office and the comprehensive master plan.

Retired from Sierra Pacific Power Co., Masayko, 59, is seeking his third and last term.

Both supervisor candidates for Ward 2, the city's northeast sector, expressed their passion for working to better the city.

Rebecca "Becky" Beisenstein said she would quit her job as a customer service technician in Carson City's Public Works water division and leave her post with the city's employee association if elected, so she could freely vote for the issues.

"I feel Carson City is falling down in the customer service department, from the mayor on down," Beisenstein said. "We used to be a team to talk freely and offer ideas without the fear of any type of retaliation, be it ever so little. I want to see people work together."

The single mom has worked over the years for several organizations, including 4-H camp, the Master Gardener's program at the University of Nevada, Reno Cooperative Extension office, the Shade Tree Council and GROW (Gardeners Reclaiming our Waysides). Beisenstein has also recently advocated for a new skate park.

Incumbent Shelley Aldean said she was molded by her father's credo of enhancing the land, quality of life and the highest standard of professional conduct.

"I hope at the end of my service I have truly performed something to be remembered," Aldean said.

Aldean said she would continue her work as the moderate voice on the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency's board of directors, work to retain auto dealers in the city and continue to pursue economic vitality plans.

Aldean is a recipient of the Soroptimist International of Carson City's Women of Distinction Award and the Sam Walton Business Leader award and is involved with numerous community organizations and service clubs.

Contact Jill Lufrano at jlufrano@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.