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VOTE411 Voter Guide

Fernley Mayor

The job of mayor is primarily to:Oversee city operations and ensure effective governance.Represent the city at official functions and meetings.Develop and implement city policies and initiatives.Prepare and present the city budget to the council.Collaborate with local agencies and community organizations.Address constituent concerns and facilitate public engagement.Lead emergency response efforts during crises.Advocate for city needs at the state and federal levels.Appoint city officials and manage personnel matters.Promote economic development and community growth initiatives.Note: This is a nonpartisan race. The designation only applies to the race, and does not reflect the political affiliations of the candidates.

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  • Candidate picture

    John Kenneth Barchie
    (NON)

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    Timothy Bickerton
    (NON)

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    Alexis Colosi
    (NON)

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    Neal E. McIntyre
    (NON)

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    Lawrence Ruiz
    (NON)

Biographical Information

What do you see as the most pressing challenges facing the city, and how would you address them?

What policies or initiatives, if any, would you support to address affordable housing in the city?

What strategies, if any, would you support to address homelessness in the city?

The most pressing challenge facing the city of Fernley is the urgent need for sustainable revenue generation, as we have effectively reached the ceiling for property tax capacity. To address this fiscal impasse without further burdening existing homeowners, we must strategically increase impact fees on new development to ensure that growth pays for itself, while simultaneously leveraging special districts to fund critical infrastructure and essential services. By shifting our financial model toward these targeted mechanisms, we can secure the necessary capital to maintain our city’s vitality and support long-term prosperity.
A Barchie administration would implement aggressive tax incentives and down-payment assistance programs specifically for young, married couples who commit to raising children within the city. Promoting the nuclear family is not only a moral imperative but a stabilizer for neighborhoods, as families are far more likely to maintain property values and participate in civil society than transient, single-occupant households.
Resist efforts by state and regional bureaucrats to turn Fernley into a solution for Reno or other metropolitan areas’ failures. I would partner with local churches and community organizations. Historically, the church took lead responsibility for those in genuine need—those who are local members of the community suffering from temporary misfortune. I would support organizations that are explicitly linked to the preservation of the family and the moral instruction of the individual.
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The most pressing challenges facing our city are public safety, community resources, and access to healthcare. As we grow, we must ensure infrastructure, healthcare, and services keep pace while preserving our community’s character. Strengthening safety means supporting police, fire, and emergency personnel with the tools and staffing they need, while improving transparency and communication with residents. Expanding community service includes investing in education, supporting local businesses, enhancing public spaces, and creating programs for families, seniors, and veterans. My goal is to lead with accountability and a commitment to both safety and community service.
I would support a balanced approach that increases housing supply while keeping our community affordable and livable. This includes updating zoning to allow a wider range of housing types, such as townhomes, duplexes, and accessory dwelling units, to create more attainable options for working families, seniors, and young professionals. I also support streamlining the permitting process to reduce delays and costs for builders, while maintaining clear standards that protect neighborhood character. Partnering with responsible developers and encouraging mixed-income projects can help ensure new growth includes affordable options.
Homelessness is a nationwide challenge, but it impacts our neighborhoods locally and requires practical, compassionate solutions. I believe in maintaining safe neighborhoods while also addressing the root causes that lead individuals into homelessness.

I support strategies that combine accountability with support, such as expanding access to mental health and substance abuse services, increasing coordination with local nonprofits, and creating pathways to stable housing and employment. At the same time, we must enforce laws that keep public spaces safe and accessible for everyone.
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Campaign Email nightshepherd1@gmail.com
Campaign Phone Number 7758352637
Law enforcement support within the neighborhoods and proper Fire and medical emergency response and staffing. promote increase police patrols within the communities and ensure a reasonable staffing of full-time fire fighters/ENT on each shift is maintained within the city limits.
Policies and procedures for placing a cap on landlord rent increases, new construction for affordable single-family housing, individuals earning minimal wages should be able to afford housing within the community.
Each community has individuals who either suffer from mental illness or have lost the ability to care for themself. Work with local groups who currently help such persons in need of food, clothing and shelter and find ways to assist them with these needs.