Candidates for mayor, city council, county commission, district attorney and sheriff took turns outlining their priorities Thursday night during a fast-paced community forum at Calvary Chapel, where each speaker had four minutes to present their platform with no rebuttals or audience questions.
Ward 1 City Council candidate Gregory Barrett, who organized and hosted the event, opened the forum by explaining the format and encouraging residents to meet with candidates afterward or leave written questions in boxes designated for each candidate. Each candidate was provided table space to meet with voters following the presentations.
Mayoral candidates
John Kenneth Barchie, who moved to Fernley in 2021, said he is running for mayor because he believes the city is beginning to experience the same problems he saw in California and wants to prevent Fernley from following that path. Barchie said the city is “leaving money on the table” and argued that Fernley needs greater financial transparency, including clearer public information about water resources, development impacts and long-term planning. He criticized what he described as a lack of accessible data on the city’s website and said residents deserve to know how decisions are being made. Barchie also said Fernley should negotiate more aggressively with large corporations locating in the region, arguing that the city’s infrastructure needs far exceed current revenue. He said he wants to preserve Fernley’s character and ensure the city does not repeat the mistakes he witnessed in Silicon Valley.
Tim Bickerton said he had a short career as a Reno police officer and retired from Waste Management. He said he is running for mayor because he believes Fernley is at a pivotal moment as major industrial projects and regional growth accelerate. Bickerton, who is known locally for his community volunteer work and for administering the “Fernley Rant and Rave” social media page, said the city’s recent controversies have damaged its reputation and created a perception of dysfunction that could deter future investment. He said Fernley must present a united front, restore professionalism on the council and actively pursue both large and small businesses. Bickerton said he would work to bring opportunities to the council’s agenda, reduce internal conflict and help Fernley shed its “laughingstock” image as it prepares for significant growth in the coming years.
Alexis Colosi, a nurse, veteran and mother who moved to Fernley about a year and a half ago, said she is running for mayor to address the strain rapid growth has placed on the city’s emergency services, healthcare access and community resources. Colosi said her work in healthcare has shown her the real-world consequences of Fernley lacking an emergency room, hospital and adequate primary care, forcing families to travel to Reno for basic services. She said the city’s expanding population is increasing demands on police, fire and EMS, and that response times can mean “the difference between life and death.” Colosi said she would prioritize strengthening public safety staffing and resources, improving access to healthcare by recruiting providers and expanding local services, and supporting strong schools and family-oriented amenities. She said her background as a veteran and nurse has prepared her to lead with accountability, service and compassion.
Mayor Neal McIntyre, a 66-year Fernley resident, said he is seeking a second term because he cares deeply about the community he has watched grow from 500 people in 1960 to more than 26,000 today. McIntyre highlighted his long record of public service, including 14 years on the Lyon County School Board before being elected mayor, and said Fernley’s location, with access to I-80, U.S. 50, U.S. 95 and the rail line, continues to attract major national and international companies. With growth expected to push the population to 40,000 to 45,000 within the next decade, he said the city must stay ahead on infrastructure. McIntyre outlined planned road and utility projects in the upcoming budget, including work on Cedar Street, the streets behind 7-Eleven and streets in the industrial area, paired with water and sewer upgrades. He also began to address a proposed reorganization that would eliminate the city manager and deputy city manager positions, but ran out of time before he could finish.
City Council candidates stress growth, infrastructure and community leadership
City Council Ward 1
Gregory Barrett, who said he spent his career managing maintenance budgets and compliance under pressure, said he is running for the Ward 1 seat to address Fernley’s long-standing road conditions and the strain rapid growth has placed on infrastructure. Barrett said more than 2,700 new homes have been approved or are in the pipeline, yet many neighborhoods, including his own, have gone more than a decade without meaningful road repairs. He outlined a five-point road maintenance plan built around Fernley’s existing Pavement Condition Index system, calling for annual public updates, an interactive online dashboard, and strict prioritization of streets scoring below 60. Barrett said the city must fix the worst problems first, ensure new development pays its fair share through appropriate impact fees, and tie PCI-based priorities directly into the capital improvement plan to accelerate funding by two to three years. He also criticized the proposed Title 16 nuisance ordinance as granting too much unchecked authority to a single official.
Incumbent Councilman Ryan Hanan highlighted his involvement in regional and local initiatives since taking office, emphasizing his work representing Fernley at state, regional and economic development meetings. Hanan said that shortly after being elected, he was assigned to meet with the Nevada Department of Transportation in Carson City to address “dozens of items” needing attention in Fernley, and he said all of those issues were resolved. Hanan said he has regularly attended events hosted by the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada and the Northern Nevada Development Authority, as well as the annual State of the County addresses, to ensure Fernley has a voice in regional planning and economic discussions. Hanan said he has been involved in workshops and planning sessions for the Nevada Pacific Parkway overpass rehabilitation and has made a point of attending Chamber of Commerce events, ribbon-cuttings, and meetings to support local businesses and community groups. He said he stands by his record and asked voters to evaluate him based on what he has accomplished during his time in office.
Debbie Skinner, a lifelong Lyon County resident raised in Fernley, said she is running for the Ward 1 seat to bring practical experience, fiscal responsibility and community-focused leadership to the council. Skinner has owned the Desert Rose RV Park for 26 years and said her work in hospitality has taught her how to solve problems, work with people and understand community needs. She noted her local roots as a contractor’s daughter who grew up doing hands-on work. Skinner highlighted her service on the Lyon County Room Tax Board, which helps fund community events, and her past work on the City of Fernley’s Senior Citizen Advisory Committee. She is in her second term as a director for the North Lyon Fire Protection District and said strong relationships between local agencies are essential as Fernley grows. She said she is concerned about overspending, the lack of infrastructure and the need for additional amenities.
City Council Ward 3
Ryan Cross, a 26-year Fernley resident and principal of Fernley High School, said his nearly three decades in public service have shaped his belief in collaborative, mission-focused leadership. A former U.S. Army commissioned officer, Cross said his career in education has allowed him to work closely with families, public safety agencies and community partners to expand opportunities for local youth. He highlighted his role in bringing an emergency medical training program to the high school, creating a pathway for students interested in careers in fire and EMS while helping meet workforce needs in the region. Cross said he believes good leadership means listening first, working collaboratively and focusing on solutions rather than personalities. He said his priorities if elected would be responsible growth, strong public safety and reliable infrastructure.
Roy Edgington Jr., a former mayor and longtime Fernley resident, said he is running to restore civility and professionalism to the council. Edgington, who previously served four years on the council and eight years as mayor, said he first ran for office after seeing a council member repeatedly admit he had not read staff reports. He said the level of conflict on the current council is “unacceptable” and that Fernley needs elected officials who are prepared, respectful and able to conduct meetings with decorum. A retired Reno-Tahoe Airport firefighter with 29 years of service, Edgington said Fernley has strong potential but must be realistic about what the city can and cannot do, noting that businesses such as restaurants and hospitals will only come if the market supports them. He said he supports improving medical access but cautioned that a full hospital is unlikely without significant population and financial backing.
Editor’s Note: A separate story on the county commission, district attorney and sheriff candidates who took part in the forum will run next week.
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