V&T Railway commissioner Flanagan dies

Storey County Under Sheriff Gerald Antinoro confirmed this morning that Storey County Commissioner, and member of the Nevada Commission for the Reconstruction of the V&T Railway, John Flanagan, 71, died earlier today.

Antinoro would not comment further and said the city manager would be issuing a press release this morning.

Updates will be posted as they become available.

A biography on Flanagan from the Storey County Commisioner's website:

"A third-generation Virginia City resident, John Flanagan was born and raised in the Silver State.

Elected to the Board of Commissioners in 2002, John began his involvement with the county in 1979 when he was elected as the successor to his father as Storey County Assessor. He held that position for 16 years and then retired for nearly five years when, 'I was approached to run for County Commissioner,' he explained.

Today, John represents the Virginia City North and part of the Virginia City Highlands district.

Additionally, he serves on a variety of county boards and divides his time between the V & T Railroad Reconstruction Commission, the Regional Transportation Commission in Storey County, the Virginia City Convention and Tourism Authority Board, the NACO board (advisory board for counties) and the Storey County Library Board.

John is a University of Nevada, Reno graduate where he obtained his bachelors degree in Economics.

Upon his graduation, he worked for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

'I love Virginia City-it's my home,' shared John. 'That's why I decided to come out of retirement to serve as a commissioner. I want to see good things happen for this community and the County.'

John has been married to wife Erlene for 12 years and is immensely proud of his two grown daughters and five grandchildren.

When he's not busy serving the county, John enjoys getting out and traveling in his and Erlene's motor home."