Mayoral candidates hit the airwaves

The gloves didn't come off completely, but laces are unraveling in the fight for Carson City mayor.

In an hourlong radio debate Tuesday afternoon, candidate Marv Teixeira joked that he was falling asleep because Mayor Ray Masayko was talking so much.

Masayko offered Teixeira coffee and told him to stay awake.

Masayko, 59, has made age part of his campaign platform, calling himself "young and vigorous."

But Teixeira, 69, did have plenty of time to doze off: Masayko received more air time than his opponent to give an opening statement and answer questions.

At one point, radio host Jerry Evans did not give Teixeira the opportunity to answer a question on how to make Carson City more attractive to businesses.

"We're going to be just fine," Masayko said in response. "As long as you don't give away the

ranch."

Evans went on to the next question.

Later, Evans admitted he supports Masayko, who helped him gain access to the Capitol for a rally on Memorial Day.

"I like Ray," Evans said. "I don't see any major problems with the city."

He asked the candidates how they would prevent auto dealers and retail businesses from leaving town for greener economic pastures.

Masayko sad he would "fight like a banshee to keep them here," but did not explain how he would do it. Evans didn't ask.

He did interrupt Teixeira during his answer to ask him how he would retain business within city limits.

"Work with them," Teixeira said. "You should ask how Douglas County got Starbucks. They went to Seattle. Instead of sitting on our butts, we should get out there."

One caller wanted to know why the city has spent so much money on lawsuit settlements with Carson Station owner Clark Russell and American General Inc., the contractor hired to construct the city's aquatic center.

Masayko said the city should have taken Russell's lawsuit to court, and that although the contractor's lawsuit was frivolous, the city needs to defend itself. American General won the case and was awarded $313,000.

Teixeira said the city should have reimbursed Russell the $125,000 it charged him for a street right-of way, because another business owner was not charged for the same abandonment.

"The city never needed to protect itself with Clark Russell," Teixeira said. "Just give him his money back and go away. It was the right thing to do."

Another caller wanted to know how candidates would solve the city's water supply infrastructure problems.

"The board has not kept up with the delivery system," Teixeira said. "Six months ago, they sat on it. We need to put the infrastructure in and give people consistency."

Masayko said a water rate increase for every resident may not be necessary to fund infrastructure repair.

"Ten percent of the customers are using 40 percent of the water," Masayko said. "Let's have the folks using the water pay for it."

Contact reporter Robyn Moormeister at rmoormeister@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.