Haynes running for third Commissioner term

VIRGINIA CITY -- Republican incumbent Chuck Haynes is seeking his third term as Storey County's District I commissioner.

Haynes chaired Storey County's planning commission during the creation of their master plan and he's an ardent supporter of Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center in northeastern Storey County. He said Storey County's economic future looks bright, but there is still some work to be done and he wants to serve for another term, to make sure it's done right.

"If we court more fortune 500 companies and are responsible with our expenditures, we can assure residents of Storey that things will be better for the next 20 to 30 years," he said.

According to Haynes, the county is in an enviable position, with one of the lowest tax rates in the state and a budget in the black. The county's budget totaled about $3 million when he took office and now stands at $8 million, with a $1.8 million surplus.

"Because of those additional revenues, we've been able to create a greater depth of protection for Storey County, expanding fire and ambulance services to all areas," he said. "Government should do that, but remain fiscally responsible and not constantly beat up the taxpayers."

Interspersed among about 35,000 acres of the Asamera Ranch property in northeastern Storey County, the Industrial Center can accommodate both light and heavy industry. Officials contend it has the potential to generate in excess of $100 billion into the local economy, including Washoe, Lyon and Carson.

Raised in Southern California's Big Bear, Haynes has lived in the Virginia City area for 22 years. He spent 11 years as a building contractor and nine years as an operations manager at Kmart before taking a job with the Virginia & Truckee Railroad Co. in Virginia City.

"I spent 20 years doing work I didn't particularly like. I took the job with the V&T because I wanted to do something worthwhile," he said. "I worked for the railroad for nine years -- one day you're the boss, the next day you're taking out the garbage."

Haynes readily admits he has no patience for bureaucrats, overspending, or the slow pace of government.

"I'm a private sector person. I want it done now at half the cost, but nothing is easy in government," he said. "Government should respond to voters, like business responds to shareholders."

In addition to serving as county commissioner, he is a member of the Nevada Commission for the Reconstruction of the V&T Railway and chairman of both the Comstock Historic District Commission and the Virginia City Convention and Tourism Authority.

"I'm not as active as I would like to be with the Tourism Authority, but we have a great staff," he said. "I pick best people and listen to them. I don't micromanage."

Haynes, 53, has one son, Richard, who lives with his mother in Colorado. He will face Republican John Flanagan in September's primary election.