New group formed to support sale of fairgrounds; will debate at candidate forum

Members of new political action committee in favor of selling the Carson City Fairgrounds will debate their side Monday at the League of Women Voters voters forum.

Al Christianson, a member of the Burke Consortium and chairman of the Carson City Planning Commission, said the group is formed of "influential people who have decided there's only one side of the (fairgrounds development) story being told."

The eight-member group plans to sponsor advertisements and appear at Monday's voters forum to "express concerns over statements made by" the Concerned Citizens to Save Fuji Park and the Fairgrounds "that are unfair and, in some cases, lies," Christianson said.

Carson City's League of Women Voters Forum will feature supervisor candidates Robin Williamson, Pete Livermore and Neil Weaver as well as discussions for and against Carson City's two ballot questions.

Forum Chairwoman Peggy Twedt said the league on Sept. 30 will host candidates for Assembly districts 38 and 40, candidates for the Capital Senate district and candidates for Washoe Senate District 4, which with redistricting took in a portion of Carson City.

The nonpartisan league, which has hosted the forum in the capital for about 40 years, will not host forums for candidates running for assessor or recorder.

Williamson is running unopposed for her Ward 1 seat. "If nobody wants to talk to me, I'll be quiet," she said.

Livermore will meet challenger Weaver in their first debate.

"This gives me an opportunity to have the community raise issues or questions and participate in debate," Livermore said.

Weaver said he is running for the Ward 3 supervisor seat because he is concerned that government officials don't pay enough attention to their constituents or to city boards and commissions.

"I'm just a citizen concerned about my government and I think we should all take a turn," he said.

On Nov. 5's ballot, Carson City Question 1 will read: "While retaining and improving the area known as Fuji Park, should Carson City make available for commercial development City property known as the Carson City Fairgrounds?"

The Concerned Citizens to Save Fuji Park and the fairgrounds are campaigning for a "no" vote on the issue. Concerned Citizen Susan Hoffman said the group would continue to address what they believe are continued misconceptions regarding the sale of the fairgrounds.

"People need to be educated voters," she said. "They need to hear all sides of the story to make an informed decision We're looking for an open debate, which is something we've never had an opportunity to do in this whole thing."

Christianson said Wayne Pedlar, a planning commissioner and member of the Burke Consortium as well as a member of the committee that drafted ballot language in favor of the fairgrounds sale, will represent the committee in favor of selling the fairgrounds.

According to information from the Secretary of State's Office, the consortium was formed in 1999 by Karl Neathammer, a tribal judge and a member of the committee that drafted language in favor of selling the fairgrounds. The political action committee was re-registered by John Wagner on Sept. 4. Wagner, a member of the committee that drafted ballot language against the Concerned Citizen's proposed initiative that is not on the ballot, is listed as the group's president and Richard Moore is registered as treasurer.

Carson City Question 2 will read, "Shall the Carson City School District be authorized to issue up to $3.75 million of general obligation bonds for the purposes of mitigating the impact of toxic mold and creating safer and more efficient schools by replacing, improving, acquiring, constructing and equipping school facilities? The bonds are expected to require a property tax levy for 20 years. Due to the retirement of outstanding bonds and projected assessed value growth, passage of this question is not expected to result in an increase in the existing property tax rate levied to pay the school district's bonds."

IF YOU GO

What: League of Women Voters' 2002 Election Forums

When: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Monday candidates for Carson City Supervisor, Fuji Park ballot and school bond questions

Sept. 30

Carson City area state Senate and Assembly candidates

Cost: Free

Where: Sierra Room of the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.

Watch the meeting on Channel 26 and call in questions to 721-2430.

Agenda

Introduction by Nancy Scott, league co-president

Opening statements by candidates for supervisor, Pete Livermore, Neil Weaver and Robin Williamson moderated by Sarah Mersereau-Adler

School Bond Question moderated by Peggy Twedt

Fuji/Fairground Ballot Question moderated by Deirdre Pederson

Closing remarks by league co-President Hazel Brown

Watch the meeting on Channel 26 and call in questions to 721-2430.