If there was any question about Minden residents' desire to participate in their community, the response to two openings on the town board should answer the question.
With an official population of slightly more than 3,200 people, 18 have applied for two positions forced open when Nevada Secretary of State Ross Miller decided they were affected by term limits.
There aren't too many strangers on the list.
Former Douglas County Commissioner Don Miner applied. So did former Gardnerville Town Board member John Cressaty.
Valley natives Roxanne Stangle and Matthew Bernard are there.
There's a Jacobsen on the list, in this case Debbie Jacobsen, wife of Bruce, who is one of the term-limited members.
Former Douglas County Public Works Director Bob Nunes applied, as did Minden business owner Suzy Stockdale and China Spring Youth Camp Director Steve Thaler.
Some are longtime residents like William Souligny who moved to Minden in 1968, others are more recent arrivals.
In any case, county commissioners will have a challenge when they decide who to add to a board that hasn't seen a new member since Reagan was president.
Most important is that those chosen will find themselves the senior members when term limits remove the other three board members in 2010.
