The public is invited to bid farewell to Carson City Mayor Ray Masayko at a City Hall reception Thursday afternoon.
After serving two terms as mayor, Masayko is leaving public service behind and leaving it up to Marv Teixeira, who beat him out of his bid for a third term Nov. 2 with 51.5 percent of the city's votes.
"I'm disappointed but I'm not crushed," Masayko said election night. "The people I work for told me they want a change and I accept it."
On Thursday, the city will host an informal open house reception in Masayko's honor and in recognition of his eight years of service to the community.
Masayko will be on hand to receive well-wishers and refreshments will be served.
Passionate about building the Virginia & Truckee Railroad, Masayko was instrumental in getting the plan off the ground with land acquisition and funding.
Land purchases for the historic railway's first phase in Storey County is complete and construction may begin as early as March.
"(Masayko) worked really hard to get the project jump-started," said Carson City Manager Linda Ritter.
He also worked to keep the Carson City Freeway Extension funded and on schedule through negotiations with the Nevada Department of Transportation and the implementation of a 5 percent gas tax increase.
The $23 million already generated by the gas tax helped to fund Phase 1 of the extension, the first half of an $330 million project by NDOT.
The city agreed in August to contribute $15 million more in funding to Phase 2 of the freeway extension, scheduled for completion in 2010.
"That was a very big move," Ritter said. "(Masayko) worked hard to keep the freeway going."
During board of supervisors meetings and in interviews, Masayko has often referred to himself as a fiscal conservative.
"I'm proud of that," Masayko said during his campaign for re-election in September.
"You've heard that quote from Dr. Milton Freedman, 'Nobody spends someone else's money as conservatively as they spend their own.'"
People who worked for him said he kept a sharp eye on the city's budget and he paid close attention to detail.
"He really understands the role of the board as a policy-making body," Ritter said. "To him there is a difference policy and administration. He really kept it separate and left the administration side up to me."
Masayko and his wife, Dianne, have lived in Carson City since 1984.
Masayko grew up in Hawthorne, graduated from Mineral County High School, and attended the University of Nevada, Reno and Western Nevada Community College.
He retired from Sierra Pacific Power Co. in January 1996, ending a 25-year career as a senior customer-services manager, prior to his seeking election as mayor. The Masaykos have four grown children between them and five grandchildren.
As for future plans and political aspirations, he said he doesn't have any now, but "never say never."
"I'm going to re-assess for a while," Masayko said Tuesday. "I'll spend this time in private life."
He said no one will give any speeches at Thursday's reception, but instead it will be an informal opportunity for people to come by and wish him farewell.
The open house will be from noon - 4 p.m. Thursday in the lobby at City Hall, 201 N. Carson St.
Contact reporter Robyn Moormeister at rmoormeister@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.
if you go
What: Open house reception for outgoing Mayor Ray Masayko
When: Noon - 4 p.m. Thursday
Where: City Hall lobby, 201 N. Carson St.
Call: 887-2100