Democrats, Republicans get together for candidate forum in V.C.

Unlike the national parties, local Democratic and Republican committees are known for their cooperation.

In Storey County, on Sunday, the Democratic Central Committee, led by George Foster, got together with Juanita Cox, head of the county Republican Central Committee, to put on a meet-the-candidates event at Mills Park in Virginia City.

Representatives of the two parties worked out the details over lunch at the Gold Hill Hotel, Foster said. They split the costs of the hot dogs and pie, and there was not much mention of party differences when each candidate got up to speak.

Democratic Congressional candidate Jill Derby said it wasn't unusual in the rural counties for both parties to get together, and it was good for a candidate not to be preaching to the choir.

"I think that's the best way to have a candidate's forum," she said. "It gives people the chance to hear different points of view. You don't want to talk to just your friends. This best serves the people."

Under a bright, blue Nevada sky, Derby touted her Comstock roots as well as her Nevada roots. She said her grandfather worked in the mines in Virginia City and her father attended the Fourth Ward School.

She lost to Congressman Dean Heller two years ago and said she was running again because "nothing has changed. We're still talking about the war and health care. Things have gotten worse."

Heller was not in attendance, but was praised by Storey County Commissioner Bum Hess for being "a real friend to the rurals."

He was raised in Carson City "and has always been there for us."

Derby painted a different picture of her opponent, saying he voted against a children's health care bill and against allowing Medicare to negotiate prices on prescriptions.

"If you want to change Washington, you have to change the people you send there," she said.

Also attending the event were Assembly District 38 candidates Tom Grady, the incumbent, and challenger Steve Dalton.

Grady said he liked the dual sponsorship of the forum because it gives candidates a chance to meet people and gives voters a chance to hear both sides.

He told the crowd of about 70 residents and fellow candidates that the best government is that which is closest to the people, and that's why he works hard with county commissioners and local officials.

He said he is part of the "cowboy caucus" of rural legislators that look out for the interests of residents.

The crowd also heard from the most contested race in Storey County, that for clerk-treasurer, where four candidates are seeking the seat held by the late Lorraine Du Fresne. They include Du Fresne's appointed successor, Vanessa Dixon, Rollie Hess, uncle of the county commissioner, local businesswoman Zoe Connell and former school board member Lee Wilson. Dixon is the incumbent and has worked in the office for several years; the others all have experience in the financial industry.

Some school board candidates also spoke; former board member Cathylee James, who said the board she was on came up with the programs that were bearing fruit now, and Curt Chapman, who praised the current board and administration for improving performance and stabilizing the budget.

Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or call 881-7351.