Will they or won't they?

Bob Crowell doesn't know if he wants to devote the heart, time or money it takes to get elected mayor of Carson City, but it's a "definite possibility."

"We're about there," he said.

Crowell, president of the city school board, is one of several possible candidates who have hinted at a run for mayor. With less than a month before the week-and-a-half filing window opens, no one has announced they want the seat.

People have called for Crowell to run, but, like others including Pastor Ken Haskins, Supervisor Robin Williamson and former mayor Ray Masayko, he said he's interested in the job, but isn't ready to go further.

Crowell, an attorney and former chairman of the State Bar of Nevada, would campaign on fixing the city's budget problems and helping people understand why redevelopment is important.

Mayor Marv Teixeira declined to say if he'd run for re-election. The three-term mayor, who served his first two terms from 1989 to 1996, beat Masayko in the close 2004 election.

The former mayor said he hasn't decided if he will run.

"Well, never say never," Masayko said, "but I had my chance, I had my opportunity. I'm proud of what I did and I'm not so sure I have unfinished business."

Haskins, pastor of the 300-member First Christian Church, said he has no special agenda but would bring "fresh thinking, sober judgment and the idea of what's in the best interest of the community" to the mayor's office.

Known as the "Rockin' Rev" for his radio interviews with music stars such as Fats Domino, Haskins said he has to decide if he could help the city most as mayor or doing work "behind the scenes."

Haskins moved to Carson City in 1980 to help found his church and has worked in service groups such as the Kiwanis Club.

"People are looking for some changes in the city," he said.

The most important thing for a mayor to do is listen to the voters, said Haskins, who also named low taxes and controlled spending as priorities.

Williamson, who was elected in 1998 and serves as head of the city redevelopment authority, has pushed to improve downtown. She is also the one supervisor to vote against putting the question to raise sales taxes for the V&T Railway on the November ballot.

"I've thought about it," she said of running for mayor, "but I haven't made any decisions."

During the 2004 mayor's race, Teixeira said in late March he would run, and Masayko announced in the middle of April.

Filing for a city office at the last minute has happened before, though.

Two-term Supervisor Richard Staub said the first time he ran he didn't file until the last day.

He beat two candidates to win that election and in 2004 ran unopposed.

Staub, who is mayor pro-tem, said he will probably run again for supervisor, but does not have time, as a full-time attorney, to be mayor.

"My ego is not going to overcome my common sense," he said.

- Contact reporter Dave Frank at dfrank@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.

Carson City leaders

Mayors elected in Carson City since the 1969 incorporation with Ormsby County to consolidate government services:

1969: Eugene Scrivner

1972: Eugene Scrivner

1975: Harold Jacobsen

1980: Harold Jacobsen

1984: Dan Flammer

1988: Marv Teixeira

1992: Marv Teixeira

1996: Ray Masayko

2000: Ray Masayko

2004: Marv Teixeira

For your information

Seats up for election: Mayor. Supervisors in wards 2 and 4. School board trustees in district 2, 5 and 7.

When to file: May 5 - May 16 at the city clerk-record's office. Candidates must be 18, residents since Feb. 12 and have registered to vote at least 30 days prior to filing.

Election dates: The primaries are Aug. 12. The general election is Nov. 4.

More information: The Elections Office is on the first floor of the Carson City Courthouse, 885 East Musser Street, Suite 1025. Contact: 887-2087 or elections@ci.carson-city.nv.us.