WILLIAM "BILL" SJOVANGEN
Party: Republican
Mailing Address: Box 1148, Virginia City, 89440
Telephone: 847-7558
E-mail: willbison@earthlink.net
Explain your background and how this qualifies you for the position you are
seeking.
I have more than 40 years working with government in federal civil service
and the U.S. Air Force. My education centers around organizational
management, public administration and human resources.
After retiring from federal service in 1996 I served as president of the
Virginia City Chamber of Commerce, executive director of the Virginia City
Convention and Tourism Authority and currently serve as vice vhairman of the
Regional Transportation Commission.
What are the most important issues that you would address if elected?
Water resources are a continuing concern, improvement of the V&T Railroad
facilities in Virginia City and maintaining a reasonable and sustainable
growth rate in Storey County. Other areas of consideration will be constant
monitoring budget matters.
Why should voters choose you over other candidate?
Without knowing the other candidate's complete history and management
philosophy, I think this question is best left to the voters.
___________________
LARRY PRATER
Party: Democrat
Mail: PO Box 165, Virginia City, NV 89440
Phone: (775)847-0465
E-mail: lprater@powernet.net
Explain your background and how this qualifies you for the position you are
seeking.
I am a graduate of UNR with a bachelor of science degree in civil
engineering and a licensed civil engineer in Nevada and California. My 45
years of professional experience include an 18-month contract in Saudi
Arabia as a construction manager and project manager on several
multimillion-dollar projects in the Reno area, including the Sierra Pacific
office building on Neil Road, the Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant, and the
Federal Courthouse on South Virginia Street. I currently own and manage a
small structural design business in Reno.
Thirty years ago my wife and I built our home in Virginia City Highlands,
and soon after I became involved in local politics, first with a position on
the planning commission, next as a school board trustee, and then as county
commissioner from 1988-1994. While on the county commission I represented
Storey County on the Tri-county Commission for the Restoration of the V&T
railway. In 1998 I was reappointed to the planning commission and have
served there since. I sincerely believe my background and experience make
me qualified to once again serve the citizens of Storey County as their
commissioner from District One.
What are the most important issues that you would address if elected?
Storey County is unique, and probably one of the most diverse small counties
in the nation. Our citizens enjoy the many benefits of rural and small-town
life. At the same time the county is home to major regional assets like the
historic Comstock Mining District, the V&T Railroad, and the Tahoe-Reno
Industrial Center. If elected, I promise do everything I can to protect our
lifestyle and those important assets, and to discourage inappropriate
intrusions such as the recently proposed Cordevista residential development
and the wind farm above Virginia City. Additionally, our current uncertain
economy demands that your local government practice cautious fiscal
management. I would assure that our citizens' hard-earned tax dollars are
spent wisely and equitably.
Why should voters choose you over other candidate?
I believe my long and varied service to Storey County, coupled with my
professional and business background, provide me with the knowledge and
experience to best serve the interests of all of the county's citizens. I
also believe that through my prior positions I have established a reputation
for objectivity, integrity, and fair-mindedness. I sincerely hope that the
voters of Storey County agree, and vote for me in the upcoming election.