By VERNON ROBISON
The Progress
It will be a free barbecue, a Meet-the-Candidates night, a prize raffle and a firearms auction all rolled into one. And all residents of the Virgin Valley and Moapa Valley communities are invited.
A group of conservative local residents have organized a Town Hall meeting scheduled for Saturday, March 19 beginning at 4 pm at the Old Logandale School building at 3011 N. Moapa Valley Blvd. in Logandale. The main purpose of these residents to organize the event is to create an opportunity for their neighbors and friends in the two valleys to meet some of their favored candidates in the upcoming elections.
Logandale resident Peggy Pope, who has been a key organizer of the event, said that the news over the past couple of years has led her to become more involved in the coming election.
“I am a conservative, and everything I have seen in the past few years has led me to push harder toward arranging this kind of event,” Pope said in an interview last week with The Progress. “I mean, after seeing terrorism, beatings, riots, violence on the streets of America and more; it has just reinforced everything that I am doing.”
Pope moved to Logandale a couple of years ago from Mesquite where she has lived since 2004. She has been working hand in hand with Mesquite resident Patty Kelly to put together this event.
“Patty actually got me started in helping these candidates,” Pope said. “We first got acquainted with this slate of candidates because they came out and participated in the Veterans Day parade in both valleys. We got to know them and felt compelled to do more to let people know about them.”
“What I like best about this event is that it is bringing the two communities: Moapa Valley and Virgin Valley, together,” Pope added.
The event will bring a half dozen candidates to town including contenders for a variety of races.
Gubernatorial candidate Dr. Fred Simon will be in attendance. A trauma surgeon and small business owner from Gardnerville, NV, Simon has run one of the elite trauma centers in the U.S. and has solved complex operational and financial problems with teams of experts.
Along with the local volunteer help, Simon and his campaign were key in organizing this local event. He has been coordinating town hall events like this one across the state and appearing together with other faith-based constitutional conservatives.
“We want to bring bonafide Conservatives to Logandale so the Republican rank and file can see, hear and interact with true conservatives, not phony RINO politicians,” said Simon’s campaign manager Nick Maier in a statement last week to The Progress.
Maier listed Simon’s top priorities in the election as four-fold.
First is to require voter IDs with a signature match.
Second is to offer school choice in Nevada where the money follows the child and the parents pick the school.
Thirdly is a focus on improving access to healthcare, especially to rural communities.
And fourth is to be tough on crime. Simon has said that he will bring tough lawmen like Rudy Giuliani and Bernie Kerik to Nevada as advisors, to go after gangs using the RICO act and federal gun laws.
Another candidate appearing with Dr. Simon will be U.S. Senate candidate Bill Hockstedler. Hockstedler served in the Army and Air Force for 12 years combined. After that, he had a successful career as a business development executive in the healthcare field.
Sam Peters, who is running for US Congress, will also be among the candidates. He is a Las Vegas businessman. Peters retired as a Major from the U.S. Air Force in 2013 after serving in Afghanistan, Iraq, Panama, Korea and other locations.
Tony Grady is running for Nevada Lieutenant Governor. Another veteran, his distinguished U.S. Air Force career culminated with his commanding the B-2 Stealth Bomber test squadron.
Stan Hyt is running for Clark County Sheriff. He has 30 years of career service with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Hyt says he is determined to stand up for, and defend, civil liberties.
Finally, Logandale resident and Assembly District #19 candidate, Jerry Swanson will be at the event. Jerry has lived in southern Nevada for 53 years and has resided in District 19 for 42 years. He worked 31 years as a Teamster. He has been an official for high school sports for 30 years. He also teaches hunter safety for NDOW and is a member of the NRA-ILA Nevada Committee.
Two firearms will be auctioned off at the campaign event. The Simon campaign is providing an AR-15 rifle, purchased at a discount from Overton Ace Hardware, to start off the auction. Pope herself will be donating a brand new Glock 17 Gen. 4 to be auctioned off as well.
In addition, a huge raffle will be held to determine the winners of an array of great prizes. The prizes have been donated by many local businesses including Xtreme Stitch, Cablp, Cal’s Repair, Oasis Chiropractic, Overton NAPA, The Hair District in Overton, Shereen Salon in Mesquite, Overton Ace Hardware, Mr. Pawn, Baja Imports, Los Lupes restaurant, Checks N Mail, Defense Preparedness Training, CAPTECH and more.
The free barbecue starts at 4 pm on Saturday. Candidates will begin their presentations at 5 pm.
For more information about the event, or to donate prizes for the raffle, contact Peggy Pope at peggyapope@reagan.com.
