Elect Jenny Brekhus

In our continuing efforts to supply our readers with information (and thinking and talking points) and to alienate opposing political advertisers and their friends, we’d like to offer our second endorsement for the November election.

In the Ward 1 race for Reno City Council, we endorse Jenny Brekhus. The fact that she’s more qualified to run the city—as a city—than her opponent, Bernie Carter, is just part of a long equation. But we’ll give you the short version.

First, Brekhus has all the bona fides, including public service, and an education specifically focused on the running of cities (dual master’s degrees from the University of New Mexico in community and regional planning, and public administration). She’s passionate when talking policy and, according to a few sources, in her personal communications. She’s not one of those people who goes along to get along. We’re not saying people should not work together, only that they should be able to do so while still standing for what they believe in.

Now, Bernie Carter is a cagey business leader who actually has the ability to inspire friendly feelings in people who don’t necessarily agree with him. He’s been, particularly in his efforts in the Midtown District, very successful in very trying times. He’s got his eye on the dollar and appears to consider black ink a personal principle.

But let’s be honest: Bernie Carter is and will be conflicted in many of his business dealings with the city for at least the next year or so. He’s going to be voting millions of dollars of the city’s money in ways that will or will not benefit himself personally. Please, no. And particularly nowhere that downtown post office is concerned.

But if Bernie Carter is willing to offer some of that leadership, consensus building and business savvy to the service of our city? That’s pretty cool. And we know just the place for him. Bernie Carter should run for mayor in 2014, and even two years down the road, it’s hard to imagine who the citizenry might support over him.

The question of whether a termed-out councilmember can run for mayor is still up in the air, but it appears if the question is settled as a matter of law, as opposed to politics, they will not be able to (see “No Comment,” RN&R, July 19). Still, it’s possible that Jessica Sferrazza, Dwight Dortch or Dave Aiazzi—the three Council members who’ve reportedly floated the idea—will be able to run, so it’s premature to offer any endorsement for 2014, but Carter’d be a tough contender. In fact, it’s premature to make any guesses as to who will be available in 2014 for any office.

That’s our endorsement. Jenny Brekhus is eminently qualified and has a personality that will offer a little lively discourse on the Council. She’ll be an awesome representative for Ward 1 and our city.

Bernie Carter will be too conflicted until that downtown post office project is complete—we’re not talking thousands of dollars, we’re talking millions—but when 2014 rolls around, we think he’s got a skill set that would serve Reno well. Just like anyone else, we’ll have to see what his business connections say about his candidacy when the time comes.

Stay tuned to these pages to see where we’ll cut our own throats next.