New Carson City mayor, other officials sworn in

Carson City elected officials took office Monday, saying they were ready for their jobs despite the challenges they face.

After being sworn into office by District Judge Todd Russell, Mayor Bob Crowell said he is eager to get started.

The slow economy has been hard on the city, Crowell said, but he is committed to helping businesses succeed. This means working to make downtown flourish along with all areas of the city, he said.

Crowell, an attorney, was elected to his first four-year term after beating Ken Haskins in November. Three-term Mayor Marv Teixeira announced his retirement last year.

Ward 4 Supervisor Molly Walt said there will be a "huge learning curve" during the beginning of her first four-year term, but the city has several important projects she's committed to. These include a new recreation center, a new library and an improved downtown, she said.

Increased sales tax rates have been proposed for the new library and recreation center, but Walt said the economy is too bad to think about putting in a new tax.

Walt beat two-term incumbent Richard Staub in November.

District Judge Jim Wilson put on his black judge's robe Monday for the first time to be sworn into office.

Wilson said the job will be challenging because Carson City as the state capital handles a wide range of issues from criminal cases to tax issues. His diverse experience ranging from a district attorney to a reserve police officer has prepared him well for his first six-year term, however, he said.

Wilson beat former Carson City District Attorney Noel Waters in a close race in the general election.

After being sworn into office, Wilson later that morning swore his wife, Joanna Wilson, into office as the District 7 school board trustee.

Joanna Wilson said budget problems will dominate the school board's attention as trustees work to protect academic programs including art and music.

She said she doesn't want a lack of funding to hurt sports either, but academics come first. Wilson ran unchallenged for her election to a third four-year term on the school board.

Other officials sworn in included:

- Shelly Aldean, who beat Dennis Johnson in the general election to win her second four-year term in office as Ward 2 supervisor. She was appointed as supervisor in 2003 after the death of Supervisor Jon Plank and elected in 2004.

- Steve Reynolds, who was unchallenged in his election to his first four-year term as the District 5 school board trustee.

- Dave Cook, who beat Barbara Meyers to win his second four-year term as the District 9 state board of education member.

- James Lemaire, who was unchallenged in his election to his second four-year term as the District 2 school board trustee, was not at the ceremony.

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