Local candidates faced a packed house and some challenging questions at Monday night's political forum hosted by the Grass Valley Advisory Board. More than 60 residents grilled candidates on difficult issues ranging from search and seizure policies to education funding to jury nullification.
The forum included statements by candidates running unopposed for re-election including incumbent County Commissioner Carol Shank whose statement generated loud applause from the crowd.
"I'm thankful for having no opposition," she said. "I have plenty of work to do in the next four years."
Three competing candidates for seat A on the Pershing County School District board of trustees summarized their backgrounds and top priorities including greater parental involvement and increased higher education opportunities within the county.
As executive director of the Pershing County Economic Diversification Authority, Heidi Lusby-Angvick stressed the importance of advanced education to attract new business and promote economic growth.
"Pershing County needs more education opportunities," she said. "We need a community college presence in our community."
Sheriff's candidates Sgt. Jerry Allen, Deputy Nathan Carmichael and Lovelock Correctional Center Sgt. Paul Simms agreed that deputy training, morale and greater presence in Grass Valley would be among their top concerns. Pershing County Sheriff Richard Machado could not attend the event due to illness.
"Sheriff's department morale would be a priority," said Sgt. Simms. "If the deputies and the sheriff's office staff are happy, confident and secure in their job, it's going to pour out into the community."
"Training would be the priority. The more that we train together, the better we will be as a cohesive unit," Allen responded. "Morale is an issue but training is sorely needed at the sheriff's office."
"Training will provide you with a better product and a better service," Carmichael added. "One thing that we're not getting is training right now and that would enable us to provide you with better service."
Three men running for district court judge spoke of how they'll fill the shoes of respected, long-time Judge Richard Wagner who will be retiring. Pershing County District Attorney Jim Shirley, a candidate for the job, responded that Wagner's replacement will be filling more than everyday foot wear.
"You say shoes? I'll call them more like boats," he said. "I've learned an immense amount from him and they're big shoes to fill. You'd be presumptuous to feel you can fill his shoes but someone has to."
Humboldt County Assistant District Attorney and district court judge candidate Kevin Pasquale attributed his own success to the courtroom discipline demonstrated by Judge Wagner.
"For 30 years, I've practiced what Judge Wagner instilled in me - be the most prepared person in that courtroom," he said. "To this day, no matter how hard I try, Judge Wagner will still be the most prepared person in that courtroom. That's who I'm going to emulate."
Judge candidate Todd Plimpton called Wagner "probably one of the best district court judges in the state." If elected, the Lovelock attorney said he'd increase resources for difficult civil cases.
"The one area we could really improve on in this district is our mediation and dispute resolution process as it relates to divorces and civil cases," Plimpton said. "That is one area where I've got some particular background in and, if elected, I'd sit down with Judge Montero to work on that issue."
All three judge candidates commended Wagner for building up the district court's juvenile justice system and all recommended increased resources are needed to mitigate children's family issues.
"Early intervention is the biggest key," Shirley said. "The earlier we intervene in the family dynamics that are dysfunctional to help the kids, the better."
After the forum, Roger Richards said he and other long-time Grass Valley residents have at times felt like "orphans" almost forgotten by Pershing County officials and considered breaking away to join Humboldt County where convenient commercial, medical and education services are available. Votes and taxes have motivated officials to pay attention to the east end of the county, according to Richards.
"Twenty-five years ago, we were ready to give them (county officials) the middle finger," he said. "All of a sudden the light bulb went on and they figured out there's a heck of a tax base out here. It's not all checkerboard BLM land - there's a lot of private property. They figured out they better start listening to these people and that's what you've seen here tonight. We have a lot of votes and a lot of property."
Richards said increased county law and code enforcement are concerns commonly expressed at county advisory board meetings - complaints he attributes to newer residents he doesn't always agree with. He does agree that another local sheriff's deputy is needed for law enforcement but not code enforcement.
"They gripe about their neighbors and want sheriff's deputies to start writing tickets for too many junk cars," he said. "Our deputies are already spread thin so why turn them into building inspectors?"
Grass Valley Advisory Board Chairman Annette Stripe credited local media outlets and local community concerns including a perceived shortage in law enforcement services by the county.
"We really promoted it and I must say the Winnemucca Publishing Company really helped us by getting it in the paper several times plus we had it on the radio," she said. "One of our biggest concerns is the need for more coverage by the sheriff's department. We need at least one more resident deputy."
Grass Valley Advisory Board Vice Chairman Sean Burke said concerns over search and seizure policies and the best replacement for Judge Wagner account for Monday's turn-out.
"There definitely seems to be some heat regarding that (search and seizure) question," he said. "There's angst over policies they (sheriff's candidates) might adopt and, with Judge Wagner retiring, there's a lot of interest in that race as well. I think that drove a lot of the attendance tonight."[[In-content Ad]]
