PRIMARY ELECTION 2010: Lyon County candidates

LYON COUNTY SHERIFF

MARK LUMPKIN

Address: P.O. Box 46, Smith, NV  89430

Telephone: 775-267-7617

E-mail: info@lumpkin-for-lyon-county.org

Explain your background and how this qualifies you for the position you are seeking.

Honorably retired U.S. Army culminating 20 years, with a focus on leadership, executive leadership and building counter-narcotics teams and institutions internationally.  Fifteen years of U.S. government contracting experience in both combative and commercial environments, building and leading teams, maintaining fiscal accountability while providing those teams with the means to do their jobs.

This combination of experience will provide the necessary budget control that county and taxpayers desperately need in these exceptionally challenging economic times; the leadership the sheriff's department employees (both administration and deputies) are clamoring for; and the design/implementation of a targeted narcotics unit that the entire county is in desperate need of. 

It's been said that someone not familiar with the "logistics" of Lyon County would be unable to cater to all the widespread areas. This is very similar to my experiences in war-torn nations, with all the cultural diversity as well.

What are the most important issues that you would address if elected?

First and foremost: The "need" to spend $20 million (at this time) on a new administrative/jail complex.

People are losing jobs and homes. Why not reallocate a large portion of those funds to maintaining jobs, which will inspire growth, and demonstrate the concept of "giving back to the community" during these tough times. I am referring to jobs, which translates to homes being kept; money being spent in the county, people not moving away in search of employment; and a sense of ownership/pride in Lyon County.

Second: Rebuilding the morale and confidence of the employees/deputies of the department and establishing a continued training program for them.

Third: Designing and implementing a targeted counter-

narcotics effort, as there is a serious drug problem in certain areas of the county.

There are a multitude of issues that need to be addressed, but these are the most prominent. 

Why should voters choose you over other candidates?

All voters should have the right to choose whomever they prefer. Why would I prefer them to choose me? Ethics, integrity, honesty, experience, compassion, leadership, fiscal accountability, common sense, duty to our employees, duty to my community, honor, respect. These are the words and attributes that come to mind. I have the experience and respect to provide leadership; the ethics, integrity and honesty to be fiscally accountable to both the taxpayers and the county; the honor, compassion and common sense to handle sensitive issues within our department; and I honor the duty to my employees and community as I have honored the duty to our country for 35 years. 

BRETT G. PALMER

Address: 100 Hardie Lane  Fernley, NV

Telephone: 775-575-2709

E-mail: nnvc1@aol.com

Explain your background and how this qualifies you for the position you are seeking.

I was born and raised in Preston, Idaho, and although I was a handful for the local police department when I was young, I knew at an early age that I wanted to be a peace officer when I grew up.

At age 20, I began my law enforcement career as a deputy sheriff for Oneida County, Idaho, in August 1972.  

A desire to help others and work with troubled youths has kept me in law enforcement for over three decades. I have experienced a tremendous amount of personal satisfaction by being able to serve and give back to my community.

In 1990, I moved my family to Fernley, and shortly after gained employment with the Lyon County Sheriff's Office as a deputy. I have served as the reserve coordinator, field training officer, range instructor, honor guard commander, and instructor for four of the main subjects required to maintain certification.

What are the most important issues that you would address if elected?

Improve morale within the department, which has deteriorated drastically under the current administration.

Bring back and expand several youth programs, which have been ignored by the current administration until recently.

Take a more aggressive approach to drug interdiction within Lyon County.

All department employees will strive to become role models to the youth and residents of Lyon County.

Redistribution of manpower within the department to better serve the needs of the community.

Recognize the deeds and sacrifices of department personnel and citizens that have gone the extra mile for the lives and safety of others.

A better and more honest line of communication with the residents on issues which affect the entire county, now and in the future.

Why should voters choose you over other candidates?

My decision to become a peace officer was due to a sincere wish to help others and serve my community. With that in mind, I have spent my entire career in patrol and have passed up many opportunities for advancement. This kept me in touch with the public on a daily basis. I believe that working with and listening to the citizens is a critical part of law enforcement. I have always been proud to call myself a "public servant."

If elected I will maintain the contact with the citizens of Lyon County. I always said that my patrol car is my office; this will not change if elected. I intend to be a working sheriff, meeting with and talking to the citizens of the county as well as "one on one" contact with the patrol deputies and supervisors.

ALLEN VEIL

Address: P.O. Box 93 Yerington, NV 89447

Telephone: 775-463-3920

E-mail: ltveil@aol.com

Explain your background and how this qualifies you for the position you are seeking.

I am a third-generation Lyon County resident. I am passionate about Lyon County, the Lyon County Sheriff's Office and the people who live here.

I have 28 years of law enforcement experience in Lyon County and have worked my way through the ranks, progressing from sergeant, to lieutenant, captain and finally sheriff. I have extensive training and experience in all aspects of law enforcement, constitutional law, case law, personnel administration, leadership, supervision, Nevada statutes, Nevada administrative codes, federal law, American Correctional Association, American Jail Association, grant writing, policy formulation and many others too numerous to list.

I am a graduate of the 214th session of the FBI National Academy and the LEAD Executive Academy. I possess the POST Executive Certificate, the highest level of certification possible in Nevada, and have over 3,000 hours of law enforcement-specific training.

What are the most important issues that you would address if elected?

I would continue with the programs that I implemented during my first years as sheriff. I will continue to make myself, my supervisors and my deputies accountable and visible to the citizens and continue to be an interactive part of the community.

We will continue to apply for grants to augment our budget. I will continue to upgrade our technology and efficiency. I'm still striving to put school resource officers in our schools. The presence of our deputies in our schools will continue in a mentoring role, not an enforcement role.

We will continue with our Street Enforcement Team, our Sex Offender Registration Task Force, our participation in the Tri-Net Narcotics Task Force, our participation in the Regional Gang Unit, and with our Narcotics Unit in the county.

I will continue to keep the citizens and deputies safe and will always work to eliminate liability to the county.

Why should voters choose you over other candidates?

I am passionate about my position and the agency and have proven that over the past 28 years.

I prepared for this position throughout my career and have developed the expertise in leadership, ethics, budgeting grant writing and personnel administration desperately needed of the sheriff.

I am knowledgeable about the county and the citizens who live here. I am involved in all aspects of the community and am a member of the School District's Attendance Advisory Board, the vice president of the Healthy Communities Coalition Board of Directors, a member of the Board of Directors of the Nevada Sheriff's and Chief's Association and the Fernley Boys & Girls Club Advisory Committee. I know the workings and operational responsibilities of the jail. Most importantly, I have been your sheriff for the past four years and have proven that I am a great sheriff who does the right thing for the right reason.

LYON COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 5

VIRGIL ARELLANO

Party: Republican

Address: 38 Nadel Lane, Yerington,NV 89447

Telephone: 775-463-2977

On the Net: info@electvirgil.com or www.electvirgil.com

Explain your background and how this qualifies you for the position you are seeking.

I was born and raised in Nevada. I attended elementary school in Verdi and graduated from Reno High School. I attended college in Wyoming and Northern California. I have brought forward into my adulthood traditional, conservative values instilled in me at a young age, such as self-responsibility, integrity, trust-worthiness, a professional work ethic, and staying true to commitments I make to others.

I am a retired firefighter. I have lived in Lyon County 11 years and I am very active in my community. I currently serve as chairman of the Lyon County Planning Commission. Additionally, I serve on the South Lyon Medical Center Governing Board of Directors and I am also a director for the Coalition for Public Access.

I believe that my lifelong dedication to community and public service as well as my local involvement in Lyon County government qualifies me as the best candidate for Lyon County Commissioner.

What are the most important issues that you would address if elected?

I believe the major issues are: Water, economy, development and Lyon County government. To address these issues, we need to identify problems and be committed to find and implement solutions based on public participation, fiscal accountability and common sense. It's time to incorporate modern management practices such as strategic planning, leadership development, goal setting, as well as how we measure success. We need to listen and consider the public's ideas and concerns more frequently. We must plan for the future with the resources we have. Re-evaluating our codes, ordinances and permitting process will assist in creating a user-friendly government in order to regenerate our local economy. Water management has to become a priority not only for development but for agriculture as well. Working together with all water users and agencies will generate ideas and solutions. Create and maintain a balance for future development that benefits all interests.

Why should voters choose you over other candidates?

Since September I have attended all of the Lyon County Board of Commissioner meetings. With the exception of the May 20 meeting, I have been the only candidate in attendance during the nine-month time frame. I have never been absent for a meeting since my appointment in December 2006 to the planning commission.

Lyon County is facing extraordinary challenges. Your newly elected county commissioners for 2011 need to be prepared, informed and ready to go to work with a knowledgeable understanding of the issues facing all of us.

The residents of Lyon County deserve accountability, integrity and dedication from their elected officials. Now is not the time to elect candidates that will require "on the job" training in managing your tax dollars and making decisions that impact your future.

I am ready, capable and willing to give the residents of Lyon County 150 percent effort if elected.

PAUL COSTA

Party: Republican

Address: 99 Upper Colony Road, Wellington, NV 89444

Telephone: 775-901-6113

E-mail: paulcosta@hughes.net

Explain your background and how this qualifies you for the position you are seeking.

I was raised in Nevada and lived in Smith Valley, Fernley and Carson City. I graduated from Carson High in 1982 and served 22 years in the United States Marine Corps.

Currently I live in Smith Valley with my wife of five years. I am employed in the winter season as a construction equipment operator for CalTrans at the Sonora Junction Maintenance Station. In the summer I am busy with the family farm and my business, H2O Trucking.

I think all of my past schooling, training and experiences in life have prepared me for greater responsibilities. For what I do not know, I can learn.

What are the most important issues that you would address if elected?

Business, jobs, transportation.

Why should voters choose you over other candidates?

Self-motivated, self-starter, common-sense approach to solving problems or issues.

CLIFFORD THOMPSON

Party: Republican

Address: 22 Manha Lane, Yerington, NV 89447

Telephone: 775-463-2985

Explain your background and how this qualifies you for the position you are seeking.

I was born in Yerington and have lived here most of my adult life. I took over my wife's family farm in 1964. We raised eight children of our own and helped raise several others less fortunate than us. It was common to have three or four extra children at the dinner table. Sometimes it was hard, but we had milk cows, pigs, chickens, rabbits and a vegetable garden and everybody worked and nobody left the table hungry.

I have watched the Walker River watershed's ability to shed water diminish year after year because of Harry Reid and his tree-hugging friends, by getting the livestock removed.

The same thing I raised my family on is being removed from the watershed under the pretense that livestock are destroying wildlife.

What are the most important issues that you would address if elected?

The truth is, when the livestock is removed, so is the salt and mineral supplements necessary for reproduction in all animal species, wild and domestic alike and it is furnished free to wildlife by the livestock owners.

The birds don't lick salt like deer or rabbits do, but they feed on the droppings of the bigger animals. It's a major link in the food, salt and mineral chain.

I hope to restore the watershed's ability to shed water and restore wildlife by putting livestock back at historic numbers because we all need water and we all need sustenance, even tree huggers.

Why should voters choose you over other candidates?

I served as vice chairman of the Lyon County Public Lands Commission for about two years, as chairman a couple of years more and I know the problems with our watersheds and understand the grazing laws and know what to do to restore them.