Four more people added their names to the list of candidates for the Nye County Commission on Friday, a few days ahead of the first grassroots Nye County Commission Candidate Forum in Pahrump.
Earl Jones, Harley Zane Kulkin, Sal Ledesma and Antheny Dodd filed, bringing the total number of candidates for the Nye County Commission to 14.
A Tuesday forum, organized by Pahrump residents Andy Alberti and Bill Newyear, brought 10 candidates to the Pahrump Senior Center, where they sparred over water, attraction of new businesses, a moratorium on residential development and the county’s fiscal problems.
While all of the candidates said they want to preserve a rural identity of Pahrump, many said the town needs to draw more businesses.
“Pahrump is a very unique climate and we can accommodate all lifestyles here,” said Nye County Republican Central Committee Vice Chairman Leo Blundo, a district 3 candidate.
Pahrump resident and business owner Harley Zane Kulkin, the only Democrat in the race who filed for district 2, said people should vote not for the party but for the person.
“What does being a Republican or Democrat have to do with being on a commission?” he asked in a phone interview. “Absolutely nothing.”
If elected, Kulkin said he wants to create “assets” that will bring in “outside money” and make Pahrump more business-friendly.
“This town is nothing but extremely incompetently run,” he said in his opening statement at the forum.
Antheny Dodd, another candidate for district 3, said Pahrump needs “to grow and have a change.”
“You have to get infrastructure in order to get better jobs, better wages, and I think we need somebody in that position who can make that happen,” he said.
Districts 1 and 3 are the only two nonpartisan races where candidates have to capture 50.1 percent of the vote to become the nominee.
“If one individual gets the majority of the votes in the primary election, they will be considered the nominee and will appear as the single candidate on the general election ballot where they have to receive at least one vote,” Nye County Clerk Sam Merlino said.
The 14 candidates in three districts will square off in a primary election on June 14. The winners will go into the general election on Nov. 8.
District 1 candidates Lorinda Wichman, Scott Mattox and Earl Jones were absent from the forum. Incumbent commissioner Donna Cox, who is running for re-election in district 3, also didn’t attend the event.
When reached by phone Tuesday, Jones said, “I just figured they need an honest person, not a politician, ‘an everyday Joe.’”
During the forum, Pahrump Regional Planning Commission Chairman John Koenig, Ledesma and Dodd spoke against moving the county seat from Tonopah to Pahrump.
Several candidates didn’t opine on the matter. Blundo and Pahrump Town Board former member Amy Riches, who’s running for district 2, said they had signed Alberti’s petition.
Candidates also reflected on the timing of Nye County Commission executive sessions, the future of Yucca Mountain and told the audience how they would approach the job of county commissioner.
“We have to have those relationships across the state to be able to make the difference here locally for us in our community,” Blundo said.
Nye County Water District Governing Board Chairman and district 3 candidate Greg Dann said he didn’t see his job as a commissioner being much different from his current job.
“I have been intent and I’ve been intent at preserving domestic wells from the get-go. This is the lifeblood of this community,” he said.
Koenig called for “fair and equitable” solution for well owners in Pahrump. Ledesma said Nye County needs to restructure its employee system and make it more efficient.
Riches said she wanted to give people the voice.
“There’s a big difference between approving a budget and making a budget. As a county commissioner, one of the first things I want to do is go through the budget with a fine-tooth comb,” she said.
Kulkin encouraged the audience to work together and make changes.
“There’s no reason why Nye County can’t be the most successful county in this state, there’s no reason not to,” he said. “And it’s only not because we don’t work together.”
Contact reporter Daria Sokolova at dsokolova@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @dariasokolova77