Nevada Appeal Candidate Guide: Carson City Supervisor Ward 2

Carson City Supervisor Ward 2 is a four-year term. Voters are asked to vote for one candidate. The top two vote-getters will advance to November's general election. If one candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, that candidate is elected. This seat is being vacated by Supervisor Shelly Aldean.

Brad Bonkowski

Residence: 223 S. Division St., Carson City

Occupation: Commercial real estate broker

Age: 50

Contact: ElectBradSupervisor@gmail.com; www.ElectBradSupervisor.com

Explain your background and how this qualifies you for the position you are seeking.

I have over 10 years' experience as treasurer for multiple organizations, where I was responsible for balancing multimillion-dollar budgets. I have served on numerous boards, for profit and not-for-profit, and have participated in Strategic Planning for a trade organization of over 1.4 million members. I am currently a team leader for the Northern Nevada Development Authority, working directly with companies to relocate or expand in our county, creating jobs that are the foundation of our economy. My duties as a commercial real estate broker include completing financial analyses of potential investment properties or development projects for clients, as well as taking development projects through the entitlement and due diligence processes to ensure that they are economically feasible. I understand land use code, zoning and use issues and the hidden costs of development. Finally, I have been a small business owner in Carson City since 1986.

What are the most important issues that you would address if elected?

The budget and related deficit is the most important issue facing the city as it affects every department, every service the city provides, and every citizen in Carson City. Until property and sales tax revenues stabilize and begin to increase we need to watch every line item of our discretionary spending. Managing salaries and benefit programs will also be an important aspect of keeping our budget balanced. Maintenance, upgrades and replacement of components of our wastewater treatment system will need to be addressed and implemented. Above all, we need to create jobs, which means that we need to attract manufacturers, remain business friendly, and not increase taxes, fees or regulations.

Why should voters choose you over the other candidates?

I have more applicable experience with the pertinent issues that the city must address than any of my opponents. I work with manufacturers every day to bring high paying jobs to our county, stimulating the economy and creating demand for retail and office employment. In the last two years we have decreased the industrial vacancy rate from 21 percent to less than 10 percent and we see this trend continuing. I understand the city's complex financial statements and income streams. I know how to provide leadership, find solutions to issues by bringing all parties to the table and finding suitable compromises. I also understand how to live within our means and how to achieve an agreeable return on investment with taxpayer dollars. All of these skills are the tools that a supervisor should have in representing their ward as well as the citizens of Carson City.

Dennis E. Johnson

Place of residence: 248 Rockbridge Drive, Carson City

Occupation: Retired

Age: 67

Contact: 775-841-3825; dennis@dennisjohnson4supervisor.com; DennisJohnson4supervisor.com

Education: Chabot College - accounting, business and real estate courses, transferred to CSUH; California State University, Hayward - accounting and business; San Jose State University - business; San Jose City College - advanced real estate.

Explain your background and how this qualifies you for the position you are seeking.

Most of my working career was spent working in or with state or local public agencies. The work involved most all steps of the functions of a public agency. Responsibilities included estimating, budgeting, planning, design input and construction monitoring at various levels. All public projects have a tremendous affect upon the citizens, either directly or indirectly, by project impact or costs through taxation. I learned early on there are certain mind-sets within the bureaucracy that ignore common sense in favor of monument building. All with a blind eye and ear to the concerns or costs to the taxpayer. Some seem to forget who actually pays the bills for their actions.

The most memorable and influential of my mentors were the few who understood that any public employee or elected official first responsibility was to be a guardian of the public treasury. A well learned lesson that stays with me today.

What are the most important issues that you would address if elected?

In my view, the primary and most critical issue facing Carson City at this time is clearly open and public budgets meetings, by individual departments, for the purpose of informing the citizens of Carson City where, how and why tax monies are being spent. Taxpayers have the right to know if their money is being spent in the best interest of the entire community. Are there shell games being played with taxpayer money?

I'd also address is showing true concern for the input of the citizens when they appear before the board to speak out on any particular issue. The citizens of Carson City are more than willing to volunteer time and input to the board. The citizens must feel confident that they are being heard. Citizens should be encouraged to speak up about an issue without getting the impression that they are being scoffed at for their input.

Why should voters choose you over the other candidates?

My background understanding the workings of a government agency is important and central to part of the reason I became a candidate. Learning the inner workings on how words and representations can be manipulated to present a variation of reality to the taxpayers is something I apply to many issues.

I will support those issues and projects that are sound, and will provide Carson City the best for their investment.

I will put the best interests of Carson City in front of all else. I will make the best decisions possible with the most input from the citizens. I will listen to their concerns. I will care for their tax dollars as carefully as I care for my own.

I will guard the public treasury carefully.

I will not vote for something just to soothe someone's ego.

All of my volunteer work emphasizes my caring about a better Carson City.

Maurice White

Place of residence: 1801 Nichols Lane, Carson City

Occupation: Retired diesel mechanic

Age: 53

Contact: 775-297-6484; P.O. Box 22345 Carson City, NV, 89721; maurice@maurice-white.com

Education: 1978 graduate of Arizona Automotive Institute; 1993-2002 Western Nevada College

Explain your background and how this qualifies you for the position you are seeking.

I spent 27 years working for Douglas County School District. For several years I worked as the shop foreman supervising personnel and equipment repairs. I was involved with the budget of a department level and understand the budget process. I worked in the private sector before during and after working for Douglas County School District.

What are the most important issues that you would address if elected?

I will work to stop needless spending and improve communication with residents and businesses. We need to start planning for major infrastructure projects that will soon be necessary.

Why should voters choose you over the other candidates?

Being a supervisor is a full-time job. I am the only candidate that has the time, knowledge and commitment to represent all the residents and businesses of this community.

Stacie Wilke-McCulloch

Occupation: Casino Cashier

Age: 47

Contact: 775-287-1858, email: electstacie@gmail.com.

Explain your background and how this qualifies you for the position you are seeking.

I'm a native to Carson City. I was elected to the Carson City School Board in 1998 and 2010. I have worked with bargaining units, budgets, and a lot of the same opportunities/challenges the Board of Supervisors' deal with. I have been very community involved with the PTA, youth sports, and a member on various community boards.

What are the most important issues that you would address if elected?

I think the biggest issue facing Carson City is unemployment. We need to continue working with the NNDA and others to bring more opportunities our town and the region. The school district and their vision committee is working with area businesses and community members to make our educational system, one that our children can thrive in the future, making Carson City more attractive to businesses looking to relocate.

Why should voters choose you over the other candidates?

I feel my best person for this position because I have a proven public record of my commitment to Carson City and its residents.