Bell files for Justice of the Peace election

Michael Bell, retired manager for Judicial Education at the Nevada Supreme Court, has filed to seek election to the office of Justice of the Peace, Department 1, Carson City Justice/Municipal Court.

Bell was directly involved in development of educational programs for more than 150 Nevada judges and approximately 1,500 court staff throughout the state for nearly 17 years prior to his retirement in May 2011.

"Throughout my career at the Nevada Supreme Court, I was committed to education that would focus on Nevada's laws and stress the critical importance of the rule of law in our society. Now, I am taking that commitment one step further by asking the voters of Carson City for their support for the position of Justice of the Peace," Bell said. "If elected, I will continue the long tradition of fairness and integrity of those who have served as judges in Carson's Justice/ Municipal Courts. I will also listen to those who come before the Justice Court, taking into account the ever-changing realities of our diverse and productive community."

Among his other activities, Bell is a regular attendee at the First United Methodist Church, the volunteer treasurer of the Mexican Dam & Ditch Company, and has taught, since 1995, the Legalities of Nonprofit Organizations at the University of Nevada, Reno, Extended Studies Division. He previously served on the United Way Allocation Committee for Carson City and Storey, Lyon, and Mineral counties for several years.

He also followed one of his great passions, baseball, by serving as an umpire for both the Carson Little League and Carson Babe Ruth League for several years. He continues as a strong supporter and occasional meet official for Carson High School's cross-country and track programs.

Bell is a native of Carson City, having attended Carson schools from kindergarten through high school, including winning the state large-school mile championship in 1966. He graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Michael and his wife, Joan, a hospital social worker, own and operate a small ranch east of Carson City.