Late Supervisor Jon Plank to be memorialized

City officials are thinking of ways the community can permanently memorialize the late Supervisor Jon Plank, while residents from his neighborhood are asking to fill his vacant seat.

Parks and recreation commissioners plan to discuss next month whether to name a community gymnasium in the works in Plank's honor.

Plank died suddenly Dec. 27 from pneumonia.

The parks department expects to begin building the gymnasium either at the Pony Express Pavilion in Mills Park or at the corner of Lompa and Northridge lanes, said Parks Director Steve Kastens. Construction is expected to begin within a year, he said.

Parks commissioners expected to discuss naming the gymnasium after Plank at their meeting Tuesday night, but the meeting was canceled because of lack of attendance by commissioners. The issue will be raised again at the Feb. 18 meeting.

"It would be a fine thing," said Commissioner Tom Keeton. "I'd be very proud to even bring it up because Jon was a good friend of mine."

Plank served on the Parks and Recreation Commission for six years. Kastens said in a report to commissioners that he spoke with Plank's wife, Rita Plank, and decided that naming a new facility after the late supervisor would be "in the best interest of all."

The Carson City Shade Tree Council will decide today whether to plant a memorial tree in honor of Plank.

Meanwhile, city supervisors will decide who will fill Plank's seat on the board Friday. Mayor Ray Masayko is continuing to take applications from residents in Ward 2 in northeast Carson.

Four candidates are expected to attend Friday's meeting. The latest to throw in their hats are Stacey Wilke, 37, general manager of the Horseshoe Club casino in downtown Carson City; and Gregory Nimitz, 45, a business entrepreneur with background in the space industry.

"I like it here," Nimitz said. "I haven't been here too long, but I think I can contribute."

Wilke, a former school board member and candidate for state Assembly last year, said she is seeking the seat as a way to stay involved in Carson City. She worked with Plank on the Parks and Recreation Commission for four years.

Shelly Aldean, 46, host of the "Carson Crossfire" television show and president of a consultant company; and Tony Marangi, 71, a retired insurance adjuster and former Carson-Tahoe Hospital trustee, also are applying for the seat.

Carson City Fire Department Capt. John Bergstom and L. Lee Radtke, a retired telecommunications manager, withdrew their applications.

Masayko said he will accept applications up to meeting time at 9 a.m. Friday at the Carson City Community Center.