The Storey Teller News and commentary on what’s really going on in Storey County.
On March 13, the Storey County Clerk announced that a Special Recall Election will be held on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, for the purpose of a Recall Election of Gerald Antinoro, Storey County Sheriff. Given the strong support enjoyed by the Libertarian Party and its message of limited government in Storey County, as expressed both through higher than average voter registration numbers and higher than average support for Libertarian Party presidential candidates, we feel it is appropriate to make a public statement regarding this special recall election.
The office of Sheriff throughout the State of Nevada is an elected, non-partisan office. The Libertarian Party of Nevada believes this is appropriate – sheriffs are responsible for enforcing the law for all individuals within their jurisdiction, regardless of political affiliation. We believe it is only correct and natural for all citizens within a jurisdiction to have a voice in how the laws of their government – laws that are ultimately enforced by men with guns – shall be applied to them. Since the office of Sheriff is in charge of the men with guns tasked with enforcing government writ, the office of Sheriff must be held by someone with impeccable character and the total support of those in their jurisdiction.
Despite that, the Libertarian Party of Nevada is confused by the timing of this recall election. If the recall election were arranged to coincide with the 2016 election season, voters in Storey County could have voted to keep their Sheriff while they were in the voting booth in November. Alternatively, Sheriff Antinoro’s term expires in 2018, which also coincides with another normal election. Given that this special recall election may cost up to $30,000, or $10 for each registered voter in Storey County, we are uncertain about the wisdom of the timing of this recall election, especially since less expensive options existed in 2016 and will exist again in 2018. We appreciate that residents of Storey County have their reasons; however, we have been unable to uncover reasons that weren’t already present in 2016 and won’t remain present in 2018.
Even so, the Libertarian Party of Nevada supports the rights of residents of Storey County to hold their government and its officials accountable. We look forward to awaiting the results of this special recall election and look forward to working with Libertarians in Storey County towards advancing smaller, more responsible government in the future.
Vice-Chairman Nevada Libertarian Party
