MRW Spring Festival Draws Candidates

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

It was a great time to enjoy beautiful spring weather and meet a host of candidates at a Spring Festival held on Saturday, April 30 at the Old Mill Park in Mesquite. The event was hosted by the Mesquite Republican Women club.

There was a carnival like atmosphere in the air at the event with a large crowd of people socializing with one another and with more than two dozen candidates of the upcoming primary election in attendance.
Entertainment was provided by Diane Van Dyke, who sings in the Patsy Cline Tradition, and Tammy Dachtyl.

The opening ceremony included an invocation by Pastor David Constien, the Pledge of Allegiance led by MSGT Robert Nehilla (Ret), the National Anthem sung by Councilman Brian Wursten, and a short speech from MRW President Sue Smith.

Mesquite resident Mike Young was the Master of Ceremonies for the day introducing each of the candidates for their ten-minute platform speeches alternating between the entertainers.
Candidates for Mesquite City Council and State Assembly District 19 spoke in the morning hours. Other candidates for state offices spoke in the afternoon.

Pattie Gallo, who is running for City Council said that access to medical care and resources for college and career education in Mesquite were important issues to her.
“I am grateful to the MRW for putting on this event,” Gallo said. “It gives us such a good opportunity to speak with people one-on-one. I can’t wait to get to work for our city.”
Gallo will be on the November ballot against Joey Bowler for the Number 3 seat.

Kim Walther, a candidate for City Council Seat #4 said that she supported bringing affordable housing and industry to Mesquitewas a priority for her. She praised Councilman Gault for bringing the STEAM Center (youth program for Science, Technology, Arts & Agriculture) to Mesquite.
“I have lived in Mesquite for twenty years,” Walther said. “Time for me to pay back.”

Candidates running for Clark County Sheriff that attended the festival and spoke were Stan Hyt, Kevin McMahill, and Tom Roberts.

Candidates for State Legislative positions also attended. Running for Assembly District 19 were Charlie Nichole Delapaz, Amy Groves, Gerald Swanson and Toby Yurok. Running for State Senate District 20 was Jeff Stone.

Sending representatives to the event were candidates for U.S. Congressional District 4 Annie Black and Sam Peters. The GOP candidates running for U.S. Senate who were in attendance included William “Bill” Hockstedler, and Sharelle Mendenhall.

Other participating candidates that came to meet the people of Mesquite and Bunkerville included candidates for Governor Fred Simon, Joey Gilbert, Barak Zilberberg and Guy Nohra; Leiutenant

Governor candidates Stavros Anthony and John Miller; Attorney General candidates Trisha Black and Sigal Chattah; Secretary of State candidate Gerard Ramalho; State Treasurer candidate Gerard Ramalho; Clark County Administrator candidate Patsy Brown; and County Recorder candidate John Evans.

“We were really pleased with the turnout, and received very favorable feedback from the candidates and the public who attended,” said MRW President Sue Smith. “Also, the vendors reported it was a worthwhile event and they would do it again. We could not be happier with the overall results.”