(Ron Knecht) – For over five years, it has been my privilege to serve the people of Western Nevada as a Regent, promoting accountability of our colleges and universities to the voters of our state and fostering excellence in teaching, research and public service.
I am very grateful for the support and kind words I have received from the people in Carson City, Douglas, Lyon, Storey and Washoe Counties who elected me – as well as those in Churchill, Esmeralda, Lander and Mineral Counties who will become part of the district this year. Everyone I’ve asked strongly encouraged me to stand for re-election.
Above all, I am very grateful to my wife, daughter and family, who have always been strongly supportive and have borne with me the burdens and joys of public service. Without their support, I could not carry on the fight for the broad public interest and progress in education as I have. They have enthusiastically told me I should run again.
In view of all that support, the great progress we have made and the immense job yet to do, I have decided to file for re-election this week and to run an enthusiastic, strong campaign focused on ideas, issues, excellence and accountability. I ask the voters for their consideration, their counsel, their constructive criticism, and their support and help.
Before I was elected to the Board, it was widely known as the “dysfunctional” Board of Regents. When I campaigned six years ago, I said that one of my major goals was to help the Board and Nevada System of Higher Education shed that label and earn the respect that attends doing a good job for the public in education. Over a year ago, a major Las Vegas liberal pundit was asked in public after a speech to Republicans in Douglas County when was the last time he had written about or heard about the “dysfunctional” Board of Regents. Chuckling, he answered: “Not since Ron Knecht was elected.” I have only done my part, working with my colleagues and the other good folks who serve in NSHE and our campuses – but have indeed done my part, and today that reputation is forgotten.
Recently, we have witnessed an increase in sectionalism north/south and rural/small-town vs. urban — especially as higher education has faced the same tough financial times that all Nevada families and businesses have endured. While I have stood up for Western Nevada College and the other community colleges that get lost in the shuffle and for our small towns and rural areas, I have always taken a state-wide viewpoint, emphasizing what is good for all of higher education and Nevada as a whole. I will continue to do so.
You may reach Ron Kneck at 775-882-2935 or RonKnecht@aol.com. – Ed.
