Tatro files for re-election to justice court

On Monday, John Tatro filed for re-election to his third term as Carson City justice of the peace for Department 2.

Tatro, 52, began his judicial career as a hearings officer for the State Gaming Control Board in 1987.

In 1995, he was appointed justice of the peace and municipal court judge to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Bill Furlong. Tatro was then elected to the position in 1996 and again in 2000.

During his 11 years as judge, Tatro, along with Department 1 Justice of the Peace Robey Willis, restructured case assignments so one judge handles a case from start to finish, implemented a more effective case management system, established the Alternative Sentencing Department to ensure compliance with court orders and sentences and realigned the inner workings of the justice court clerk's office to provide a smoother flow of cases. He said each of these changes enable the justice court to "keep pace with the demands and increasing case loads" of a growing community.

"There is never a day that I am not appreciative of the job that I have and the challenges I face" he said.

Additionally, Tatro said he helped to create and presides over the newly formed mental health court.

"I find this is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job," he said. "I can see immediate results in the participants as they are quickly stabilized through treatment, medication and monitoring, giving hope to them as well as to their families."

In 2003, Tatro was voted Judge of the Year by the Nevada Judges Association. He has also earned the Advanced Judicial Education Certificate from the Nevada Supreme Court; is currently 1st vice president of the Nevada Judges Association, and serves on the State Judicial Council's Specialty Court Funding Committee as well as the Technology Committee.

"I feel it is just as important to make a difference in people's lives from the bench, as it is in the community," said the former youth baseball, basketball and soccer coach.

He is also a member of the steering committee for Partnership Carson City, an anti-methamphetamine coalition.

Tatro and his Realtor wife, Kathy, made Carson City their home in 1973. The couple raised their three children here.

As of Monday evening, no one else has filed for Tatro's seat. Filing closes May 12.