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Meet the Candidates – 2024 Primary Election

June 1, 2024 by Bristlecone Tribune Leave a Comment

Rebecca Murdock

County Commissioner Seat 2

I first came to White Pine County 37 years ago to complete field studies for my bachelor’s degree in Geology from UNR. When deciding to teach science, I arranged my path to ensure I’d end up teaching in this amazing location. In 1989, my professional career started at White Pine Middle School. 32 years later, I retired from WPCSD, with my master’s degree in Educational Leadership, as principal at WPHS. I’ve taught and been an administrator in all levels of schools: elementary, middle, and high school. As a school administrator, I’ve worked with students and parents from all walks of life. Governmental budgeting, decision making, and guiding human resources were critical aspects of my work. This skillset will benefit me as county commissioner.

I’m a fiscal conservative and guarantee I’ll do my homework before making decisions. Economic long-term stability of the tax base is important to White Pine. I was drawn here by White Pine’s beautiful scenery, topography, geology, and outdoor opportunities. These county strengths are part of our economic base. Development decisions impacting our resources need to be made with this in mind. White Pine is home, and I look forward to this next phase of my service to it!

Pat Ranson Robison

County Commissioner Seat 3

I’m Pat Ranson Robison, a 3rd generation Ely native, running for White Pine County Commission Seat 3. I was born and raised in Ely by Hubert and Roberta Ranson. I attended the Central Ely School, continuing a family tradition that spans generations, and graduated from Ely Grade School and White Pine High School.

I want you to know that I am adamantly against the White Pine Water Pumped Storage Project! White Pine County spent 30 years fighting Las Vegas to keep our precious water and I strongly feel that it should not be given away to Out of State Developers, especially when the water within the Steptoe Valley is designated as a priority for our community’s drinking water and none of the proposed energy produced is slated to remain in our community for our use.

The irreversible damage this project would cause to our community, our way of life, our water table, our natural resources, wildlife, ranchers and farmers, and our largest tourism asset, the Nevada Northern Railway (the best-preserved historical train in the United States) could never be made whole no matter the amount of reclamation bond posted, nor promises made by the company. The billboard on Highway 93 says it all…”Greed Energy Not Green Energy”. The promised tax revenues would never cover White Pine County’s losses.

I am deeply rooted in our community values and served a term as a member of the Ely City Council. I have two children, Montie Lyn Liebsack and Austin Robison who were both born in Ely, raised in Reno, spending summers in Ely, fostering strong connections to our hometown.

My daughter Montie is married to Norman Liebsack and lives here. Montie is the President and Founder of B.A.A.R.X., a 501 © 3 nonprofit established locally, dedicated to helping animals.

My son Austin, his wife Tasha, and daughter Aubry live in Eagle Mountain, Utah. Their son Connor is graduating from Arizona State. Austin is employed by Ford Racing in Park City, Utah.

My experience growing up in White Pine County was like no other……cars, horses, Pete’s Drive Inn and lots of freedom. At the age of 19, I opened, owned and managed my first hair salon, “The House of Style”, which became a very successful business in Ely.

I have been successfully self-employed most of my working career. At the age of 35, I became a single woman/mother, supporting my own household and children. I understand hard work, determination, and dedication.

I am running to serve as one of your County Commissioners because I have the heart and soul of White Pine County and I sincerely care about the future of our community. I offer Integrity, Honesty, and Common Sense. I want to be a voice for the citizens of White Pine County. I have been regularly attending County Commission, City Council and other community meetings to educate myself on the many important issues, problems and opportunities within our community.

I worked hard while I was on the City Council and I will work hard as your County Commissioner. I am asking for your important vote! Please VOTE either by mail, in early voting May 25th through June 3rd or on the Primary Election – June 11th, 2024.

I stand with our community, keep our water where it belongs!!

Thank you,

Pat Ranson Robison

Candidate for Seat 3

White Pine County Commission

Scott Romsos

County Commissioner Seat 3

My name is Scott Romsos, and I am running for County Commissioner Seat #3. After teaching and coaching with the White Pine County School District for ten years, I am well versed in helping lead diverse groups while providing support as each individual strives to achieve their best. This will be my approach as your County Commissioner, representing all of White Pine County, from Cherry Creek to Lund, from Baker to Ruth. I seek to unite and work with others. Now more than ever our county needs strong elected leaders that are free from personal agendas, and who are focused on improving the lives of all residents in each community within our county’s borders.

I graduated from college with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. I have been blessed to be able to teach in several different western states, working with many different types of people from all walks of life and from diverse cultures. Having been able to reside in multiple large metropolitan areas as well as many small towns over the course of my career, I have learned along the way what works in one place may not work in another, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to problems, and most importantly, being a responsible leader takes listening and reading comprehension skills to ensure ordinances, codes, and laws enacted are sound and benefit a sustainable greater good.

I will work to preserve our way of life here in White Pine County, while progressing forward through careful planning that will improve the quality of life for all our citizens. Whether advocating for the restoration and preservation of our pristine natural environments, enhancing county services, or working cooperatively with city, state, and federal offices to ensure the needs of White Pine County are prioritized, I will approach your concerns and the issues of governing with common sense and rational thinking.

I am running for this seat because I feel it is time to have a calm, educated, affable and fiscally responsible individual as a part of the decision-making process, someone who will ask questions and stand up for what is best for all of us as a community.

With your vote I will work to improve our county while protecting our way of life. I love living here in the wide-open space we call home. I am an avid outdoors man, fishing, camping, and hiking. I am an educator that has taught a decade of White Pine’s brightest and best students. I am a husband and a step dad. I am Scott Romsos and I am running for County Commissioner Seat #3.

Paula Carson

County Commissioner Seat 4

My name is Paula Carson and I am seeking your support and vote for the White Pine County Commission – Seat 4. As an 18 -year resident of White Pine County, I understand the pressing issues our community faces, and I am committed to addressing them head-on.

White Pine County stands at a crucial juncture, and I am dedicated to safeguarding our future. I firmly oppose the White Pine Water Pumped Storage Project and will advocate for sustainable solutions that prioritize the well-being of our community. We require economic growth that fosters high-quality employment opportunities while preserving our precious water and natural resources.

The White Pine Water Pumped Storage Project relies on outdated water statistics from the 1967 Reconnaissance Series Report 42, which is listed on the Nevada State Water Engineers website. Despite promises of benefiting White Pine County with $12 million in taxes from the project situated on BLM land, the reality is that it would pay taxes on their buildings, equipment, and other items, with 50% of that revenue allocated to the state of Nevada. Given the staggering $2.3 billion figure touted, it’s prudent to recall past unfulfilled promises of taxes from other projects in White Pine County.

I am by no means a one-issue candidate. I recognize the multifaceted challenges facing our county, including the critical need for affordable housing, the urgency of investing in new schools, and the importance of improving our roads for safer transportation. Also, I understand the frustration caused by unfinished county parks. It’s essential that we follow through on these initiatives to enhance the quality of life for our residents and fulfill the promises made to our community.

Additionally, I am deeply committed to addressing pressing issues like preserving our train and promoting tourism. Expanding and preserving our railroad presents a unique opportunity to not only boost tourism, but also stimulate our local economy. By rehabilitating the rail line all the way to Shafter, we can unlock new avenues for growth and prosperity. This project would streamline the transportation of freight to and from Ely, offering a substantial advantage to local mines and businesses. Additionally, it opens opportunities for potential future warehousing needs. It would alleviate the strain on our roads by reducing the number of heavy trucks in transit. Currently, this project is in development, with grant funding paving the way for its realization. By seizing this opportunity, we can create a more sustainable and vibrant future for our community.

My vision for our county encompasses not only economic development and tourism promotion, but also the fundamental needs of our residents, such as housing, education, and infrastructure. As your representative on the White Pine County Commission, I will prioritize these concerns and work to address them with diligence and accountability.

A little bit about me. I hold a bachelor’s degree from UNLV and boast extensive management experience in Las Vegas hotels and tourism. Furthermore, I’ve shared my expertise by teaching hotel marketing at the Clark County Community College (now College of Southern Nevada). I co-owned several successful small businesses, which enriched my understanding of entrepreneurship and its responsibilities. I also served as the Public Relations Director at William Bee Ririe Hospital, where I honed my skills in communication and community engagement.

If elected, I pledge to be a responsive and transparent commissioner, actively listening to your concerns and keeping you informed about the projects and developments shaping our county. Together with my fellow commissioners, I will work tirelessly to tackle pressing issues.

I ask for your vote and support. Let’s build a brighter future for White Pine County.

Samantha Stroud

County Commissioner Seat 4

My name is Samantha Stroud. My parents are Sam and Clelia Henriod and I was raised on a farm by Lages Junction. I was the third child of four. My parents are fortunate that all their children and grandchildren live locally. My family has owned and operated a farm/ranch in White Pine County since the 1800’s. While the property lines have changed over the years, my family’s commitment to White Pine County never has. Our family’s hope is that one day one of the grandchildren will want to take over the family farm.

As the granddaughter and daughter of farmers and ranchers, and the wife of a veteran and Sheriff’s deputy, I know what hard work and dedication are and see it as a duty to serve the people of White Pine County. I wanted to give a voice to the people, so I decided to run for County Commissioner Seat 4. I believe it is a role of a commissioner to not only ensure the financial success of the county, by encouraging a strong tax base comprised of small businesses, tourism, and agriculture, but also listening to the constituents and their concerns regarding environmental, economic, health, and safety of the community. I think that any concerns that are brought before the commission deserve to be heard, assessed, and properly addressed.

I was recently asked, “If elected, what were my plans for White Pine County?”

My response was, “ I really don’t have a plan, I just want to represent my constituents.”

While I may not have a “plan,” I do have expectations, as I think we all do. Some of the things that I would like to see are more transparency and accountability of the county’s day to day operations and expenditures of taxpayer dollars. Honesty and trust are essential to keeping a healthy public opinion of the county officials.

I would also like to see more attendance at commission meetings and committee meetings to hear more ideas and discussion by community members. One way to achieve that might be to re implement evening meetings once a month and the redistricting of the county so outlying communities can be better represented.

I am aware that, to be a good representative, I must attend meetings and educate myself with research. I look forward to learning about the community’s concerns from the people. Thank you for your time and if elected, I look forward to future discussions with you.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Meet the Candidates – 2024 Primary Election

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