On Oct. 11, in the Appeal I finally read something on the mayoral campaign that called for a review of the issues - the real issues. Up to that point, the only issue I'd read about was the full-time vs. part-time controversy.
At a Rotary Club luncheon with both candidates present, local builder John Anderson was quoted as saying that he knew both candidates and their abilities and accomplishments and knew both could handle the job, but he challenged Masayko and Tatro to focus on real issues, not time issues.
It's about time! Some of the real issues are public safety, the bypass, and Costco.
Take public safety - the sheriff's deputies association, the sheriff's supervisor's association, and the firemen's association all have endorsed Tom Tatro. That says a lot to me. When the folks who are entrusted with the task of public safety unanimously endorse Tatro over Ray Masayko, it demonstrates a serious lack of confidence in Masayko's leadership. When you want to know how to make Carson City safer, you ask the rank and file cops and firemen - they can't all be wrong.
Next, let's talk bypass - we finally got a commitment from the state that we would get the bypass promised Carson City years ago due to the hard work of Marv Teixeira, but we got it with strings - expensive strings. Now the maintenance of Carson Street will be turned over to Carson City to the tune of approximately $1 million a year for the rest of our taxpaying lives. Not to mention that for the next 8 to 10 years, our traffic flow nears gridlock.
Masayko not only didn't raise objection to this new taxpayer expense, but also applauded and welcomed it.
Finally, the Costco episode - The financial projections indicate that Carson City will receive over $ 1 million a year in sales tax revenues from Costco. Carson City was pitted in a tight race with Douglas County. Costco needed a commitment from Carson City. Masayko wanted a bureaucratic study.
Fortunately, the board of supervisors ignored Masayko and approved the deal. Had Masayko had his study, Douglas County would have gotten Costco.
To me, the real issues are clear and speak for themselves: it's time for a change. I'm voting for Tatro.
PETE HAGAN
Carson City