GENERAL ELECTION GUIDE: Lyon County Commission District 5

VIRGIL ARELLANO

Party: Republican

Mailing Address: 38 Nadel Lane, Yerington NV 89447

Telephone: 775-46-2977

E-mail: tdhvaquero@tele-net.net

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 am a retired firefighter and small business owner. I have brought forward into my adulthood traditional, conservative values instilled in me at a young age, such as self-responsibility, integrity, trustworthiness, a professional work ethic, and staying true to commitments I make to others. 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. For the last 14 months I have attended every single meeting of the Lyon County Board of County Commissioners in order to prepare for the office. My lifelong dedication and participation to community and public service as well as my local involvement in Lyon County government qualifies me as a candidate for Lyon County Commissioner.

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

I believe the major issues are: Economy, development, and water. 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. Listening and considering the public's ideas and concerns are crucial! We must plan for the future with the natural resources we have. Re-evaluating our codes, ordinances and permitting process will assist in creating a user-friendly government in order to revitalize our local economy. Water management has to become a priority not only for development but for agricultural support as well. Working and networking with all water users and agencies will generate ideas and solutions. Create and maintain balance between residential, commercial and industrial development.

Why should voters choose you over other candidate?

Lyon County is facing extraordinary challenges. The 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. I am the only candidate that has attended and audited all of the County Commissioner board meetings for the last 14 months. Preparation is the key to success. As a planning commissioner I have never missed a meeting. I have experience working in the public sector, more importantly I possess the leadership skills and management tools that will assist in building consensus to drive Lyon County forward in a positive direction. I understand the dynamics of teamwork and the new board must work together for the benefit of our communities.

The residents of Lyon County deserve accountability, integrity and dedication from their elected officials. I am prepared and informed of the critical issues. I am capable and will be responsible in managing your tax dollars. I will listen and be accessible to the residents of Lyon County.

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

__________________

CLIFFORD THOMPSON

Party: Republican

Mailing 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.