Guinn to pick new Douglas commissioner Wednesday

Gov. Kenny Guinn will name a new Douglas County Commissioner on Wednesday.

Steve Weissinger resigned from the post effective Dec. 31 after being arrested on charges of embezzlement and driving under the influence.

Guinn will select the commissioner from eight qualified applicants. An original applicant was disqualified because she doesn't live in the district and another because she is a Democrat. State law requires the appointee be both a qualified candidate from the same district - the Gardnerville Ranchos - and a member of the same political party - Republican.

The applicants are:

n Elaine Agnason, a 24-year Ranchos resident and past president of the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Authority and the Soroptimist International of Carson Valley.

n Col. James L. Baushke, a three-year Ranchos resident and retired Air Force civil engineer.

n Robert Colescott, shift manager at the Harrah's/Harveys security department and 13-year resident of the Ranchos.

n Wayne Davis, a retired engineer who has lived in the Ranchos since 1998. He is the vice-president of Carson Valley Sertoma.

n Terry Faff, a Ranchos resident since 1997 who regularly attends county board meetings. He is self-employed.

n Robert Havranek, a retired pharmacist, patent attorney and 12-year Douglas County resident. He was the co-founder and president of the Pleasantview Homeowners Association for seven years.

n Rustan Osborn, a 14-year Ranchos resident who recently completed a three-year tenure on the Carson Valley United Methodist Church Board of Trustees. He is a Minden business owner and a member of the Gardnerville Kiwanis.

n Al Wagner, a 23-year Ranchos resident, who has served on the Gardnerville Ranchos General Improvement District for 13 years.