Fallon mayor named 'man to watch'

Somebody's been watching Mayor Ken Tedford, and now they've got all of Northern Nevada watching.

Tedford was named to the Nevada Press Women's list of the "Ten Most Watchable Men" in Northern Nevada at their luncheon Wednesday. The Nevada Press Women, an affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women, is a group of communication professionals that have been creating the watchable list since 1978, according to Shayne del Cohen, NPW president. She said the Manwatchers luncheon is the group's annual fundraiser.

The mayor is in good company - newsman Ed Pearce, senior reporter for KOLO News Channel 8 in Reno, who has Fallon roots, was also named to the list. Other honorees include a Nevada Air Guard retired general, a firefighter and two policemen from Reno, a judge, an artist - and a waiter at Olive Garden.

"It was an exceptional list of fine men," del Cohen said.

Tedford is making his first appearance on the list.

"It's pretty cool," he said. "You have to look at it as positive."

While he learned of the honor on Wednesday night, he said he waited to tell his kids until Friday morning.

"I think the girls were more impressed than the boys," he laughed. "They said, 'Way to go, Dad. That's cool.'"

Tedford was nominated as a watchable man by Fallon Star Press Editor Anne Pershing, he said. She told him he was nominated for his work in revitalizing downtown Fallon, improving city parks and his work with the police department.

"Personally, it's nice," Tedford said humbly. "But it's also nice for Fallon. I didn't do all those things by myself - the whole city gets recognition."

Both Tedford and Pearce have made lists before. The mayor said he made a Fallon list years ago and Pearce participated in the Ugly Man contest at the University of Nevada, Reno in the 1960s.

Pearce, a 1962 Fallon High School graduate and 1967 University of Nevada, Reno grad, wasn't sure what being named to the list meant to him. "At my age, I don't think it opens any doors or raises much. Rather than being mistaken for Leonardo DiCaprio or Brad Pitt, and not possessing their physical characteristics and cute butt, to be recognized for my work is the best I can hope for."

He said it was good to see somebody else from Fallon named to the list.

So what is it about locally grown men that women find watchable?

"Clean living, sunshine, whatever it is that makes the cantaloupes grow so sweet," Pearce theorized.

Tedford said being raised with small-town values and a stable upbringing led to a certain desirability.

And with upcoming mayoral elections, can this honor help Tedford's bid? "I don't know," he laughed. "It can't hurt."