Washoe County Board of Commissioners, Seat 1 candidates

John Breternitz

Wherever John Breternitz has lived, worked or played, his can-do spirit has always been visible. Whether volunteering on a community board, running a business, driving a race car, or backpacking in the mountains, John has demonstrated his willingness to tackle any job and get it done with integrity, accountability, tenacity and humor.

Although John’s parents were living in Colorado, John and his two sisters were all born in North Platte, Neb. where his grandfather was a doctor. He grew up in the Denver area before heading off to Chicago to attend the Illinois Institute of Technology. John graduated in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in architecture and completed his four year architectural internship requirement in Wyoming.

When John completed his internship and passed the national licensing exam in 1976, he started his own architectural firm in Jackson, Wyo. After 10 years of running his own business, Norman Dianda asked John to move to Reno and work as the principal architect for Q&D Construction. By 1988, he had become the business development manager and in 1990 became the company’s general manager. In 1999, John took on additional responsibilities as the executive vice president for Q&D, a position he held until his retirement at the end of 2007.

As a Washoe County resident, John has been involved in his community. He served as chairman of WIN, EDAWN, the RSCVA, the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce and as the organizing chair for the Truckee Meadows Growth Task Force. He served on the Desert Research Institute’s Research Park Board of Directors and co-chaired the Reno Municipal Courts/District Attorney Offices Steering Committee. John also served on such boards as Junior Achievement, the Sierra Arts Foundation, NevadaWorks, and the Reno/Tahoe International Airport-Air Services Task Force.

Professionally, John chaired the Nevada State Public Works Board and the Nevada State Board of Architecture and served as vice-chair of the Washoe County District Health Department-Air Pollution Control Board. He was also a member of the City of Reno Board of Adjustment.

John’s wife, Chris Cox, owns and operates Amplitude, LLC, a leadership training company. John’s daughter, Marilee, graduated from UNR, and now attends McGeorge School of Law.

John is proud of the quality of life this region offers its residents and visitors. He believes that a dynamic business climate and an enviable quality of life go hand in hand. John is dedicated to helping Washoe County become the number one place in America to live, work and play by bringing his business sense, collaborative style and vision to the County Commission.

What do you think is the role of a Washoe County Commissioner?

A commissioner is responsible for applying long-term vision, common sense and leadership skills in order to establish and implement the policies, goals and overall direction of Washoe County. A commissioner is responsible for keeping taxes low, the budget trim and county spending in line with available resources. A commissioner is charged with continually seeking to find efficiencies and improvement in local government. It is necessary that a commissioner be fair and open minded and free of bias in order to effectively represent all constituents. And, a commissioner must consider all available facts and data and be willing to actively listen to all sides before making a decision.

Toni Harsh

My past experience as a public servant who compels me to seek election as the Washoe County Commissioner to serve Crystal Bay, Incline Village, and the North Shore of Lake Tahoe.

I believe firmly in representation of all the people in a public process to find the best solutions for the public and how their money is used. Information flows in right up to the vote and a Commissioner must remain open and available to receive all the facts.

The people's business is exciting, dynamic, and a lot of hard work. I know and have experienced the long days, many miles of travel, numerous and long phone calls at all hours of the day and night. I am ready and enthusiastic to once more be a public servant.

During my time as a single mother of four children, I focused on their activities and interests. I also owned and operated a small business in Reno and continued to serve as a distant partner in Valley Building Company located in Southern California. As my last child graduated from Reno High School, I was honored to be elected as President of the Parent, Teacher, and Student Club, thus teaching me how to work with many diverse and passionate people.

With all my children on their own, I was hired as Senior Vice President of a national fundraising firm, Kirby Smith and Associates, visiting many different regions of the country and learning many models of managing money. I also launched into more strenuous community endeavors; such as, the attempt to save the Mapes Hotel and serving on the Reno City Financial Board.

Important lessons were learned in both areas. With the Mapes Hotel, I was part of the local group and the National Trust for Historic Preservation that sued the City of Reno over an Open Meeting Violation and won. While a member of the Financial Advisory Board, the recommendation was made to develop a contract between the County and City Fire Services resulting in saving $3 million in the first year.



I am pleased with my record as a City Council member and would bring that experience to the job of County Commissioner.

Again, I know what it means to govern and work hard with other Commissioners to see things happen for the community and the region. During my term the Council achieved the Mills Lane Justice Center, the City Plaza, the White Water Park, and improved the safety and cleanliness of downtown Reno thus positioning the region as a destination attraction.

I enjoy the support and endorsements of trusted and proven leaders: Barbara Vucanovich, Jim Galloway and Ted Short. Moreover, the Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada have worked with me in the past and once again support my election to the County Commission.

What do you think is the role of a Washoe County Commissioner?

Quite simply the role of a county commissioner is to represent the voters who elect her. The voters elect a representative that is most closely allied to their principles. That representative works hard to listen and understand the desires of the voters. Then she engages in an active discourse in the commission chamber so that all options are considered and the best choices are made for all the citizens of Washoe County. She must act responsibly and in the best interest of her constituents.

Included in government’s decisions is how we spend the public’s money. What are the services the community wants and needs? What are the priorities? Where is the revenue to provide those services? I firmly believe we must provide the highest quality of services in the finest fiscally and prudent manner possible.

On some occasions the commission must sit in a quasi-judicial manner to hear appeals. In the case the commissioner listens to all sides present in the public form and makes an informed decision based on the evidence.

I come to this election with a public record. I have and will continue to make decisions in public and up hold the Open Meeting Law and the other laws of Nevada. I am dedicated to earning the trust of my constituents to ensure we move into a future that balances private interests, community values and our resources.