Jon Plank: preparing to become the senior supervisor

In an election season when people seem undecided on many races, Carson City Supervisor Jon Plank isn't worrying about the outcome.

After all, he's running unopposed for the Ward 2 supervisor seat. And after just four years on the Board of Supervisors, Plank, 63, is preparing to become the board's senior supervisor.

"That's kind of strange," Plank said. "When I started four years ago, I was the junior member."

When Plank was elected in 1996, he replaced former Ward 2 supervisor Janice Ayres and joined three long-time supervisors - Kay Bennett, Tom Tatro and Greg Smith.

"I was satisfied by the fact I had no opposition," Plank said. "I think it says something about my ability and my performance."

Plank is a quiet man who speaks "only when I have something to say." He's known as the board nitpicker - Plank says he just pays attention - carefully reading his meeting materials and pointing out even the smallest errors.

"He reads his materials for days and days and days," said Rita Plank, nodding towards the couple's kitchen table.

"I have a high respect for the people of Carson City and give the job ample attention," Plank said. "I do my homework. I'm looking to the future and thinking about the 'what if's.' I'm accessible. I'm concerned that we're making sure we do what citizens seem to want. I feel I'm making a contribution to Carson City. Plus, it keeps me out of mischief."

Retired from the Employment Services Division of the state Division of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation in 1996, Plank didn't always have his eye on public service.

Plank grew up in the forests of rural California. His father was a forest ranger and before having children, his mother was a teacher. The oldest of three boys, Plank became interested in animals as a child and, on his own initiative, started a small farm while living at one ranger station.

"I had laying hens, friars, milk goats, sheep," Plank said. "I liked doing it and I made a little money at it."

He graduated from high school in Victorville, Calif., and went to school in San Luis Obispo where he left with a degree in animal husbandry. He worked for several years managing sheep farms, and before moving to Lovelock in 1964, did "fill-in jobs" where he picked up carpentry skills.

His first job with the state was in Lovelock as a farm placement representative recruiting workers for farms. Later in the 1960s he went to work for the employment security division, where he worked in various positions, the last being chief of field operations and management, until his retirement.

He met Rita, who is from Germany, in 1969 while living and working in Elko. Both married to other people at the time, they said the relationship never went beyond neighborly, except that Rita thought Jon was handsome.

"Really, when I first met him, I fell in love with him," Rita said. "We probably saw each other every day. I always saw this handsome man, always very neat, white shirt, tie. I like a guy to be dressed up. It wasn't 'til 12 years later I married him."

Plank was transferred to Carson City in 1975, and when Rita and her husband split in 1979, the Planks "romanced remotely" for a year and were married in Carson City in 1980. The Planks have six children and 18 grandchildren between them.

"We consider all the kids our kids," Rita said.

They also raised their granddaughter, Sarah, now 21, from the time she was 8 years old.

"Sarah is like one of our kids, we had her for so many years," Rita said. "There are a lot of adjustments to make when you start over again. All the sudden you have to have a baby sitter again, enroll her in school again."

"She's kept us busy," Plank said.

When Plank isn't at a meeting or babysitting one of the 10 grandchildren that live in Carson City, he and Rita spend a lot of time in their garden. Rita said her husband's carpentry skills have come in handy in their pursuit of the perfect backyard.

This election has been easier on the couple with much less walking to rally voters. And Rita said now they can get rid of the campaign signs saved from the 1996 election.

"Jon has always been a public figure, he's always been out there," Rita said. "He's got the know-how. When he said he was running again, I said why not. He likes people and likes to work for the people."