Barber buzzes into mayor's race

Adam Baker, owner of Les' Barber Shop, announced he is running for mayor on a platform to keep both small and big business strong in Carson City.

The 43-year-old barber, store owner and painter is the fifth candidate to file for mayor. None of the supervisors or school board seats up for election this year have been contested.

Candidates can file now through May 16.

Baker, who has owned the barber shop for four years, said he wants to work to retain Carson City businesses and find out why some have left.

"If it's ridiculous and stupid," he said, "I'd like to get rid of the ridiculous and stupid thing that is hurting people."

He described himself as a fiscal conservative and average citizen concerned about issues, such as increased utility fees, that affect everyone.

But Baker did something last year former Gov. Kenny Guinn might not have expected. Baker, protesting Guinn's decision to have his portrait drawn by an artist not from Nevada, traveled to a bathroom in every state capitol in the country and photographed his own portrait of the then-governor beside toilets.

Baker lived in Carson City for two years as a child and moved back eight years ago.

The four other candidates for mayor are Bob Crowell, a lobbyist and school board member; Sean Lehmann, a podiatrist; Jim Shirk, a real estate agent; and Ken "Rockin' Rev" Haskins, a pastor and former radio host.

Mayor Marv Teixeira has said he will not seek a fourth term.

There hasn't been this many candidates for an office, said Clerk-Recorder Alan Glover, since Glover didn't run for clerk-recorder in 1990. Twelve candidates ran for the office that year.

Two candidates ran for the mayor's office in 2004 and four ran in 2000. Teixeira or Ray Masayko have been mayor for the last 20 years.

For more about Baker, search "Kenny's Big Adventure" at www.youtube.com or go to Baker's Web site, www.biographiesinoil.com.

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