Four file for Lyon County commission seats

Four candidates were among the first out of the gate to try to join the Lyon County Commission this election year.

Planning Commissioner Chuck Roberts and former County Manager Donna Kristaponis, both Republicans, filed on the first day possible Monday to try to replace retiring Commissioner Bob Milz for the District I seat.

Also filing Monday was Code Enforcement Officer Rick Zierenberg, who will challenge Commissioner Don Tibbals for the District III seat, and Fernley City Councilman Joe Mortenson, who is running for retiring Commissioner LeRoy Goodman's District IV seat. Zierenberg, Mortenson and Tibbals are also Republicans

Roberts has served on the Mound House Advisory Council and is a volunteer fireman.

Kristaponis was fired as county manager by the commission in February 2007. She has also been assistant city manager in Reno and has worked in management and planning in Houston and Austin, Texas, in Palm Beach County, Fla. and in Las Vegas and North Las Vegas.

She said having an opponent will not affect her campaign.

"I'm going to stay focused on the issues that I think are critical to Lyon county and listen to the people," she said. "I don't want to run on personalities. We have a bad enough example at the national level on how not to do it."

Zierenberg is a former Los Angeles police sergeant who was appointed code enforcement officer in 2002. He also serves as an investigator for District Attorney Bob Auer. He serves on the Central Lyon County Fire Protection District Board, and has served on the Silver Springs Advisory Council and the Central Lyon County Parks Board.

Mortenson, a lifelong resident of Nevada, was elected to the Fernley City Council in 2001. He was a varsity football and basketball coach in White Pine County and a schoolteacher in Battle Mountain.

In Storey County, County Commissioner Greg "Bum" Hess, a Republican, has filed to retain his District II seat.

"The county is really in a focal point on which direction it goes and I want to be there and make sure it goes in a good direction," he said. "Over the last 10 years we started with a budget of $4.5 million, and we've almost tripled that. We've got a good team with the appointed officials and the elected officials. Storey County is a very unique place to work and when you accomplish something, you can see it."

Commissioner Bob Kershaw is also up for re-election, though he didn't file on Monday. He has stated his intention to run.

Vanessa Dixon, who took over the Clerk-Treasurer's position after the death last December of Lorraine Du Fresne, has filed to keep her job. She will be opposed by Rollie Hess. Both candidates are Republicans.

The 24-year-old will be running in her first election, and said she is excited about the election.

"I'm a little nervous, but ready to go for it," she said. "I love this office."

Chris Miller, who was appointed to the Storey County School Board last year after the resignation of Michelle McGarraugh, has filed for a full term. Miller is the wife of Storey County Sheriff Jim Miller.

Filing closes on May 16.

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