Larry McPherson is saddling up in an attempt to become Lyon County's next commissioner for District 2 and will do battle against three others. Including one Democrat, Pat Geurts, who seems to agree with him that growth and water are the top issues facing the county.
Among them are fellow Republican incumbent Chet Hillyard, of Silver Springs, and Democrats Geurts, of Silver Springs, and Charlie Lawson, of Stagecoach. Hillyard is seeking his fifth term, and thinks it's going to be an interesting race. All four will be on August's primary ballot.
"You never can predict politics," he said. "It's going to be fun."
McPherson, a Stagecoach resident, is currently president of the Pony Express Association, a group dedicated to keeping the history of the Pony Express alive with special events and a re-enactment of the storied express' route from St. Joseph, Mo., to Sacramento.
"I'm running to give the people a choice," he said. "I noticed there were no other Republicans running, and it's a sorry state of affairs to give a man a clear shot when he doesn't deserve it. There are a lot of new people who don't know anyone."
McPherson said he was unhappy with the district's current representation.
"If you elect someone to do the job, you expect someone to do the job, and it's not being done," he said. "It's not that I want the job, but I'll do it if I'm elected."
McPherson said he would use "a little common sense. I'd discuss the issues with the people, which is not being done now."
He said growth is the biggest issue facing the area and is concerned about too much growth.
"I believe in controlled growth, but this is getting out of hand," he said, adding that water is scarce. "Everyone's fighting for water rights right now. What good are water rights if there is no water?"
McPherson, a former trucker, said he has lived in Stagecoach for 26 years, and has served on the town advisory board and the regional transportation commission.
Geurts, chairman of the Silver Springs Advisory Board, said he was looking for solutions to the high-speed growth in the county, as well as the water problems.
"County administrators keep saying we don't have a water problem," he said. "Anytime you divert water, you've got a problem. We're looking at getting water from the river, purchasing it from other counties or out of state, yet they'll tell you there's not a water problem."
Geurts said he feels the commissioners don't pay enough attention to the public's concerns.
"I believe the citizens are entitled to someone who will listen to their voice and keep their concerns in mind when he votes on the issues," he said. "I hope to bring the county into a more manageable state of affairs on the growth and water problems."
He said growth has posed problems with traffic and roads as well as water, in particular Highway 50 and Six Mile Canyon Road.
"Just look around; you can't get on the highway from Silver Springs to Carson City without risking your life," he said. "It was wrong to make the highway a traffic artery without any stoplights. Someone's going to have to come up with a substantial amount of money to put in stoplights."
He also said he supported Lyon County contributing to the maintenance of Six Mile Canyon Road with Storey County, but not if Storey County officials make it a toll road.
Geurts, a 35-year resident of Lyon County, is a former construction worker, and said he and his family have long been active in Lyon County. His late father, Jim, was the county sheriff.
"I come from a family that, when we do things, we get things done," he said."
• Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at 882-2111, ext. 351, or online at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com. For more on the race, see the story May 10 on Charlie Lawson and Chet Hillyard at www.nevadaappeal.com.
Lyon County Commission races
Commissioner District 2
Pat Geurts
Charlie E. Lawson
Chester Hillyard, incumbent
Larry McPherson
Commissioner District 5
Phyllis P. Hunewill, incumbent