Dennis Suggs Michel Neu Dorothy Oriondo Warren Witthoeft Mike Foley Louis DeCanio Frank Furcini Linda Demeo Advertisement

Dennis Sugg

Education/Work history: degree in criminal justice; family psychology; interview and interrogation; domestic violence investigations; field force training; budget 101; major crime interdiction; technical accident investigation; vehicle dynamics; radar; coaching; field training officer; first line supervisor; north american standard inspection vehicle examination; national training curriculum niims incident command system; accountability, communications, execution; radiological emergency response; narcotics screening and identification; marine theft identification; time management; street survival Spanish; confict resolution for supervisors; standardized field sobriety testing instructor; highway interdiction; community policing and problem solving; FEMA.

"I was raised in a ranching community. I am also an Army veteran (1972-1975). I have served in law enforcement, in Nevada, for approximately 19 years. For more information go to my web site: www.dennissugg.com."

Relevant work experience: I have served as a volunteer fireman, reserve deputy, deputy sheriff, state trooper and currently a sergeant with the Nevada Highway Patrol for the Pahrump District. I have experience in the investigation and litigation of various cases in my career.

Platform statement: Our community depends on a justice of the peace with honor, strong ethics, integrity and high moral character. I will reserve judgment, remain neutral and impartial, offer no special treatment, regardless of a person's economical/social standing. I will be fair, but just in my decisions.

Michael Neu

Education/work history: B.A., sociology/anthropology, Carleton College, Northfield, Minn., M.A., sociology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisc., juris doctorate, Marquette University Law School, Milwaukee, Wisc.

Licensed to practice law in Wisconsin since 1975, in Nevada since 1993. At least 15 hours continuing legal education every year since 1975. Extensive courtroom experience including over 60 jury trials to verdict and hundreds of trials before the court, thousands of motion hearings and pre-trial conferences. Arbitrator for hundreds of civil cases. Former justice of the peace pro tempore in Clark County.

Experience: As a licensed attorney for 32 years, my legal education, training, and courtroom experience and my knowledge of the law and legal procedures makes me the most qualified candidate running for Pahrump Justice of the Peace.

Platform statement: Justice court has a major backlog of cases. The new justice needs to be someone who is ready, willing and able to serve the day he is sworn into office. I am that candidate.

Dorothy Oriondo

Education/work history: B.A. in justice administration from University of Hawaii; master's level classes in public administration, business administration, accounting and legal studies. Currently enrolled at Novus Law School.

Practicing independent paralegal and sole proprietor of All the Time/Anytime Mobil Notary and Paralegal services. Document preparation for bankruptcy, divorce, custody, child support and guardianship, income tax litigation, incorporation and various civil and small claims litigation.

Experience: I have been involved in complex litigation, both as plaintiff and defendant. I am familiar with the NRS, the rules of court, legal procedures and the canons of ethics.

Platform statement: My platform is a simple one -- If entrusted with this responsibility, I will promise to rule fairly in accordance with the current law, regardless of race, creed, national origin or social standing.

Kent Jasperson

Education/work history : As a deputy sheriff I had countless hours of in-service training, as well as continuing education classes. I have taken college courses in criminal justice and received education in the law through the Law Enforcement Academy. I have been educated in civil law, criminal law, constitutional law and search and seizure. I plan on attending the Nevada Judicial College, as the justices before me have done.

Experience: As an officer of the law I was educated and trained to know the difference between criminal and civil laws and to understand and interpret the law. I was a deputy sheriff for 25 years and received the Medal of Valor. I know how to apply the law to a given set of circumstances and then take appropriate action.

My education and training as a law enforcement officer required me to appear in court, to testify to and to present evidence related to specific cases. As an officer of the law, I have had the opportunity to spend many hours in our courtrooms working with and observing our justice system.

Platform statement: I believe in fair and equal justice for all Americans and believe that the justice system safe guards the rights of the accused, as well as those of the victims. I know that I can help the court become more efficient and effective by utilizing programs such as night court, video court and paying court fines on the Internet.

Warren Witthoeft

Education/work history: Graduated with honors, Chicago Police Academy. Associate's degree in criminal justice. Graduated from a course in major traffic accident investigation at Northwestern University. Spent 23 years as a Chicago police officer. Promoted to gang crimes specialist. Started the auto theft call-back unit. Original member of the C.A.P.S. (Chicago Alternative Policing System) program.

Experience: Participated in judicial review panels. Vietnam veteran. Knowledge of the law, sense of fair play and most important, good common sense.

Platform statement: I believe in my community and that all persons are entitled to a fair and impartial hearing by someone with knowledge and life experience. I believe I am the one who can deliver that.

Michael Foley

Education/work history: High school diploma. Currently working on a degree in public administration. Successful business owner for 10 years in Pahrump and 12 years in Massachusetts.

Experience: pro tempore justice of the peace in Pahrump, appointed in April 2007. Successfully completed special courts jurisdiction training at the National Judicial College in Reno. Have heard approximately 250 cases to date.

Platform statement: I have run for the J.P. position in 2000, 2006 and again in 2008. I would like to serve as justice of the peace, to take an active part in Pahrump's continued growth and prosperity.

Louis J. DeCanio

Education/work history: graduate of Catholic grade and high schools, Washburn Trade School and Kennedy Electronic School. "A" card journeyman electrician, Local No. 134 IBEW. Owned two bars with food and liquor licenses. Owned seven homes and have handled my own financial and brokerage accounts for the past 25 years.

Experience: I have dealt with people all my life and had to make critical decisions as a prison guard in the Army; construction foreman, bar owner in Chicago and real estate and stock investor.

Platform statement: I will bring a new breed of justice where people will be held accountable for their actions and justice will be administered honestly, fairly and above all equally.

Luana Miller

Education/Work history: high school graduate

I have many hours of studies, classes and seminars all pertaining to law enforcement and the judicial system in the last 16 years.

1997-current: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department; 1989-1995, senior legal secretary, La Paz County Attorney, Parker, Ariz.; 1996-2001, C.A.S.A. volunteer; court-appointed special advocate for neglected and abused children.

Experience: All of the above pertain to the position of justice of the peace. I have worked closely with all phases of law enforcement from arrest and investigation to adjudication.

Platform statement: I am running for this office because I want to make a difference. Contributing to the people of Nye County with my capabilities and qualifications in law enforcement is the best way to do that.

Frank Furcini

Education/work history: Graduated Clariton High School. Associate police science degree from University of Hawaii, Honolulu. I have also attended many certified job related training courses/seminars over the years. Work experience includes six years as a victim/witness advocate for Clark County District Attorney's office, investigator for Clark County Public Administration office, four years as owner of Frank Furcini, Investigations and Guard Services, 11 years as uniformed and plainclothes police officer in Honolulu.

Experience: 38 years in law enforcement, investigations and victim advocacy in Hawaii and Nevada's criminal justice system, Honolulu police officer, supervising fraud investigator, countless hours of testimony/attendance in courtrooms.

Platform statement: I'm prepared and confident in my ability to do the job fairly and impartially, to better secure victim/witness rights, improve security, propose legislation for minimum qualifications of elected justices and a system of appointment rather than elections.

Linda DeMeo

Education/work history: Life experiences include human resources management in the areas of hiring, training, managing pensions and health benefits and synchronizing cargo, crew and ships. Additional management experience includes managing vessel operations including crewing, insurance and vessel coordination. As a manager for several different corporations, efficient problem-solver, dealing with legal issues both domestically and internationally.

Experience: Ability to solve human, legal and logistical problems, well-documented service to Pahrump.

Platform statement: 1. Treat every citizen with dignity and respect. 2. Save taxpayers money. 3. Be impartial and fair. 4. Institute night court: use courtroom efficiently, more availability for victims of domestic violence, criminal and civil cases.

(Three additional candidates will appear on the ballot but did not participate in the PVT's survey. They are: Barry Waggoner, David Abott and Leonardo Blundo.)