Pershing County Commission candidates Joe Crim, Steve Cerini and Neil Gallagher met with voters in Lovelock during a recent candidate forum, offering residents a chance to hear directly from the incumbent and two challengers ahead of the June 9 primary election.
Crim, the incumbent commissioner, is seeking another term on the board. Cerini and Gallagher are challenging for the seat. All three candidates are longtime Pershing County residents with backgrounds in education, public service and community involvement.
Gallagher opened by describing his family’s roots in Lovelock, where he came as a child in the early 1970s and later graduated from high school. After earning degrees in chemical engineering and biological engineering, he worked in mining in Montana before returning to Lovelock around 2000. He later moved into education, working as a teacher and then principal at the adult high school at Lovelock Correctional Center before retiring in 2023. Gallagher also noted prior public service experience as a city councilman and mayor in a small Montana town similar to Lovelock. He said he has reached a point in life where he wants to serve again “at a greater level.”
Cerini said he grew up in Pershing County, raised four children and has been married for nearly 30 years. After graduating from Eastern Oregon, he returned to Lovelock and later earned his teaching credential while working weekends toward that goal. He taught and coached in the Pershing County School District for more than 20 years. Cerini said he is not claiming to be the most qualified candidate, but said he is willing to learn, be transparent and represent the county without “fence riding.”
Crim told the audience he moved to Lovelock in 1984, graduated from Pershing County High School and raised three children who also graduated from local schools. He said he lives in Pershing County by choice and believes the commission has done good work, though more remains to be done. Crim said he has the heart, ambition and time to continue serving. During his current term, he said, he has represented the county on boards including NACO, POOL/PACT and the Navy expansion committee, and has supported raises for law enforcement and general staff, as well as the Solidus mining project in Spring Valley.
The first issue raised during the forum came from a lighter exchange about the sound system at the Pershing County Community Center, but the discussion quickly turned serious. Audience members and candidates acknowledged that the facility’s technology and capacity have become concerns, especially during major community events. One audience member said the building has struggled to handle large gatherings and pointed to past events that could not be held there because of size limitations.
Gallagher said he uses the community center regularly and is aware of the capacity issue. He suggested the county look at temporary solutions, such as tent structures for larger events, while also considering whether a larger facility may be needed in the future. Crim agreed that ideas have been discussed, but said they need community support and someone willing to push them forward.
When asked about the biggest challenge facing Pershing County, Cerini pointed to public safety and drugs. He said many residents have told him they no longer feel safe, and he believes the county has a serious drug problem that must be addressed. Cerini acknowledged he does not yet know all the ways a commissioner can influence those issues, but said the county has some responsibility through its law enforcement structure.
Crim identified housing as one of the county’s biggest challenges. He said Pershing County has workers who come into the county for jobs but live elsewhere because there is not enough housing available locally. That means wages earned in Pershing County are often spent in other communities. Crim said he does not know the full answer to the housing issue, but said the county needs more housing options if it wants people to live, work and spend money locally.
Gallagher also named housing as a concern, along with infrastructure and basic services. He said the county needs good water, sewer and public services in order to attract residents and support quality of life. He suggested the county may be able to look at development fees or other tools that could make housing development easier. Gallagher also said Pershing County’s schools are a strength and could help attract families, especially if the community continues supporting education and workforce development.
Recreation and public facilities also came up during the forum. An audience member asked about the lack of open recreational spaces, including basketball courts and restroom facilities at the strip park. Crim said some facilities are available through the city and county, but also said public facilities must be respected and maintained. Gallagher suggested restroom facilities at the far end of the strip park near the freeway interchange could improve service for visitors and make maintenance and security easier. Cerini said taxpayers help fund public institutions and said there should be broader discussion about making facilities more available for children and families.
Budget limits were another major theme. When asked how the county can meet community demands with a limited tax base, Gallagher said county leaders need to balance current needs with long-term planning. He pointed to property tax revenue increases tied to mining and other development but cautioned that the county should not assume those revenues will last forever. He said some additional revenue should be directed toward building replacement, equipment replacement and future needs.
Crim said the county’s tax base must grow if Pershing County is going to meet more of its needs. He said that growth can come through new businesses and new revenue sources, including mining. He described the Solidus project as a potential “win-win” because it could create jobs and increase the property tax base.
Cerini said the county needs steady growth, but he urged caution about what kinds of projects are welcomed. He specifically raised concerns about data centers, saying they could affect water and power resources and may not fit the community’s values or needs. He said he would be careful before making decisions that affect the entire county.
The candidates were also asked about their own community service. Cerini cited years of volunteer work with youth football, Little League baseball and other activities involving children. Crim said he has been a 4-H leader for more than 40 years and has volunteered with youth programs. Gallagher also pointed to past involvement in youth sports, including baseball, soccer and wrestling when his children were younger, and said he is glad to see local 4-H remain active.
Economic development closed out much of the discussion. Crim said growth should be controlled and manageable. He said Pershing County does not need to become Fernley or attract an employer with hundreds of workers before it has the housing and infrastructure to support that level of growth. Instead, he said he would like to see more small businesses, mom-and-pop operations and eventually small manufacturing employers with perhaps 20 to 30 workers.
Gallagher said Lovelock has natural constraints that limit growth, and that simply attracting more businesses does not guarantee more people will live in the community. He said the county should focus close to home on improving living conditions so growth can happen naturally. As the community grows, he said, additional services such as HVAC, electrical and automotive businesses may become more viable.
Cerini said many residents value Lovelock’s small-town way of life and do not want growth that overwhelms the community. He said the county is rooted in agriculture and must protect its water and power resources.
Crim ended with a call for unity, saying Pershing County residents should think of themselves as a family.
“You don’t have to like your family members,” Crim said. “You don’t have to get along with them. But we need to be a family.”
The video recording of the county commission portion of the evening can be viewed on YouTube at: Pershing Commission candidates at Lions Club candidates night
The primary election is June 9.
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