By Mike Donahue
Moapa Valley Progress
More than candidates or their representatives who participated in the annual “Meet the Candidates Night” in the Old Overton Gym last Thursday almost outnumbered the few Moapa Valley residents who attended the informal meet-and-greet.
The tables that ringed the gym were staffed by a veritable host of potential local water board members; state education regents; district judges; county assessors and treasurers; state and federal senators and representatives, and others, all willing and eager to state their positions and solutions for the problems faced by local residents on the national, state and local level.
Regrettably, for one reason or another, including the fact that the Moapa Valley High School football game had been rescheduled to Thursday night, few interested citizens turned out. Those who did, however, were fortunate in getting the almost undivided attention of the candidates.
Craig Haderlie, president of the Moapa Valley Chamber of Commerce which sponsored the candidates night, praised those who took the time to come all the way out to Overton to meet with residents.
It was unfortunate that more Moapa Valley voters did not avail themselves of this opportunity to meeting with their future office holders, he said.
While the whole purpose of the candidates’ night is to give Moapa Valley voters a chance to meet and question prospective office holders, there were some side benefits to the low turnout.
There were more than enough candidate freebies and hand outs to go around. More than one local voter who attended was able to walk away with an arm load of candies, cookies, t-shirts, popcorn and other goodies.
One local attendee said he thought the low turnout was a sad commentary on the level of involvement Moapa Valley residents show in the election process.
