The primary county commission election will be about growth, if early voters are any indication.
"I don't want the Valley to become a concrete jungle," said 62-year-old Minden resident Penny St. Clair. "I don't want the Valley overbuilt, and I want to see the water already here stay with agriculture."
St. Clair was one of about 200 people who visited the CVIC Hall on July 31 to cast an early vote for the Aug. 12 primary.
Early voting began July 26 and continues through today.
"It's been a very steady turnout," said Douglas County elections supervisor Concha Lord.
St. Clair voted early because she was leaving on a trip to Yellowstone National Park. Her daughter, 27-year-old Vicki St. Clair, also voted.
"The whole draw of this community is its natural beauty," Vicki said. "It's not Las Vegas."
Both women voted for District 1 candidate Greg Lynn, District 3 candidate Doug Johnson and District 5 candidate Stuart Posselt.
Gardnerville resident Paul Fry, 78, saw things differently. He also voted for Greg Lynn, but chose District 3 candidate Blaine Spires over Johnson and District 5 candidate Mike Olson over Posselt.
"I resent a small group, the Sustainable Growth Initiative Committee, acting like they represent the people when they don't," Fry said. "They have made this pitch about transparency, implying everyone is dishonest except them, and that is wrong. I am suspicious of someone telling me how honest they are, so I didn't vote for any of their candidates."
Eighty-year-old Pete Harding of Gardnerville was concerned about the county's financial situation.
"I am worried about the way finances have been handled, or mishandled every which way," he said. "I want our community to grow at a slow rate so we have more time to make decisions."
Harding wouldn't reveal who he voted for.
"Voting is a private, sacred right," he said. "But I don't want our county to lose what attracted all of us here in the first place."
