Justice of the Peace candidates to speak

Candidates for justice of the peace of Carson City will be standing face-to-face for the first time Thursday at a Chamber of Commerce-hosted luncheon.

Because the format limits the candidates to timed speeches followed by a question-and-answer session, it is unlikely that there will be any back-and-forth debate, said Chamber Executive Vice President Larry Osborne.

The justice race in Department 1 will feature incumbent Robey Willis against challengers Ron Weddell and Bill Kreider. Five- to 10-minute speeches will be followed by questions from attendees.

"It's basically an informal format where the public is invited to meet the candidates," Osborne said. "Anything goes, but it is really geared toward business."

The luncheon will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Ormsby House. Attendance for chamber members will be $15 dollars, and for non-members $18.50.

Osborne said if there is not enough interest generated by later this morning, the luncheon will be canceled. Reservations for attendance may be made by calling 882-1565.

For Willis being a justice of the peace was a second career. He worked as a civics teacher at the Stewart Indian School until its close in 1980. He was then appointed to preside over the Carson City Juvenile Court and later moved on toJustice Court.

During his time on the bench he has won accolades, including Judge of the Year in 1991 and a distinguished jurist award from the Nevada Supreme Court. He is a longtime member of the Rose Commission, reviewing Nevada law as a representative for rural Nevadans.

Ron Weddell is a local businessman whose construction company, R. P. Weddell and Sons, works on large-scale development projects and employs more than 300.

He has said that he became interested in the positon through experiences that have put him in a courtroom environment.

In Carson City last year Weddell faced charges of assault with a deadly weapon and discharging a firearm in public. Although Willis decided the evidence merited review at the district court level, Judge Michael Fondi dismissed the charges, saying that Weddell was rightfully attempting to enact a citizen's arrest.

Bill Krieder is a veteran Los Angeles Police Department officer. After 22 years on the force he retired to Carson City where he has spent the last 15 years.

The Chamber of Commerce has already hosted a "meet the candidates" forum for the mayor race on July 19. Future forums will be held Aug. 2 for the wards 2 and 4 supervisor races and August 16 for the district 40 state assembly race.

Justice of the Peace Department 2 is also up for election, but Justice of the Peace John Tatro is unchallenged.

- Mayoral candidates are Tom Keeton, incumbent Ray Masayko, Tom Tatro and Neil Weaver.

- City supervisor candidates are Jon Plank, Verne Horton, Frank Sharp and Richard Staub.

- State Assembly candidates include Bonnie Parnell and Jeanne Simons.

If you go:

What: Chamber of Commerce "Meet the Candidates" luncheon for justice of the peace

When: Thursday from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Where: Ormsby House.

How much: $15 for Chamber members, $18.50 for non-members.