Keeton to seek supervisor seat

Thomas "Tom" Keeton filed Friday morning to run for the Ward 1 seat on the Carson City Board of Supervisors against incumbent Robin Williamson.

Keeton, 73, is serving his second term on the city's Parks and Recreation Commission, and has been its chairman for two years.

Highlights of his time on the commission include working to find a site for the city's new recreation center, and creation of the Unified Pathways and Parks and Recreation master plans, he said.

"Every survey of the city indicates our citizens think our open spaces and trails are the most important element in their view of Carson City's quality of life," Keeton said.

He was chairman of the Carson City Republican Central Committee until his term expired last year.

Other political and community activities in which he has participated include the Economic Vitality Coalition's Corridors Committee. Formerly, he was a member of the Nevada Rifle and Pistol Association, and the Carson-Tahoe Health Systems community membership board.

Keeton ran for office previously - for Carson mayor in 2000 and the District 40 state Assembly seat in 2002. Both campaigns allowed him to learn a lot about the city and city government and taught him a great deal about the "unique state-county-city relationship in Nevada," he said.

Keeton is a past member of the Carson Area Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, and the League of United Latin American Citizens.

Originally from Atlantic, Iowa, he lived in Southern California for much of his life and pursued a career in advertising and communications. He retired from Lockheed Martin in 1996, after working as its director of creative communications, and moved to Carson in early 1997.

He earned his bachelor's degree in journalism and master's degree in mass communications. He served in the U.S. Air Force.

His wife, Kaye, was president of the Carson City Republican Women until 2005.

The Keetons have been married since 1954. They have two children and two grandchildren.

Friday was the last day to file for political office. Several incumbents didn't draw opposition: John Tatro, for justice of the peace district 2; Kenny Furlong, sheriff; Dave Dawley, assessor; Alan Glover, clerk-recorder; Al Kramer, treasurer; and Norman Scoggin, school trustee district 1, according to the elections office.

The primary election will be Aug. 15. The general election Nov. 7