Carson City swears in elected officials

While the bulk of the officials being sworn in during the annual inauguration ceremony in Carson City District Court were incumbents, some members of the school and city supervisor boards were stepping into their offices for the first time.

Not only is Karen Abowd new to the Carson City Board of Supervisors, it is her first political office.

"It's a daunting task," she said, "but I look forward to the challenge."

Abowd defeated former city planner Rob Joiner for Ward 1 Supervisor, replacing incumbent Robin Williamson, who had reached her term limit.

Although new, Abowd said she has worked with city officials in other capacities and is familiar with the different agencies.

"There's a learning curve, but I feel comfortable with all the entities I'll be engaging with," she said.

Fellow supervisor John McKenna was sworn in to the Ward 3 seat. However, he has been serving in that position since November. After being elected, McKenna was appointed to the office to fill the unexpired term created by the election of his predecessor, Pete Livermore, to the state Assembly.

McKenna said being a city supervisor is similar to a school trustee, where he served 16 years before hitting his term limit last year.

"It's just a different focus," he said. "On the school board, we focused on kids. This is more general. It's about making Carson City a better place."

As McKenna made the transition from school board to city supervisors, Ron Swirczek made the switch in reverse.

Swirczek served on the Carson City Board of Supervisors from 1987 to 1991. He won the District 1 school board seat, replacing Norm Scoggin, who fulfilled his term limit after 12 years.

Although it was not his first swearing-in ceremony, he said he was still struck by the gravity of it.

"The swearing in is a symbol of the seriousness of the office you take," he said. "I have a job to do, and I want to do it well."

Fellow school board members Lynnette Conrad and Stacie Wilke were also sworn in, after running unopposed in their districts.

Former Nevada State School Board Trustee Barbara Myers, who defeated incumbent Randy Carlson for the District 6 seat, was not able to attend the ceremony. A speech pathologist in Dayton area schools, she was sworn in at a later time.

Other Carson City incumbents to take the oath of office were Sheriff Ken Furlong, District Attorney Neil Rombardo, Assessor Dave Dawley, Treasurer Al Kramer and Clerk-Recorder Alan Glover.

Despite his many years of service, McKenna said he is enthusiastic to take on new responsibilities.

"When do you quit? I don't know," he said. "Probably when you're dead."