Election Guide News, voter information Linda DeMeo Kent Jasperson Advertisement

Veteran Justice of the Peace Tina Brisebill will have the company of a second such justice after this next election. Candidates Kent Jasperson and Linda DeMeo look ahead to changes that may make the position work more smoothly.

Kent Jasperson

Kent Jasperson retired from the Nye County Sheriff's Office three years ago after 25 years of service.

He retired as a sergeant working K-9. His last K-9 Deputy, Tommy, worked with Jasperson in both narcotics and handler protection. Tommy is still a K-9 partner the department.

During Jasperson's tenure with the sheriff's office he received its Medal of Valor for pulling a fellow deputy out of harm's way during an incident involving gunfire.

Jasperson was born and raised in Las Vegas and moved to Pahrump in 1980. He received his training through P.O.S.T. (Police Officer Standards and Training), the Nevada training academy.

He also attended the Nevada Judicial College and kept current with the ever-changing state laws through continuing education classes.

He has received training in search and seizure, civil law, constitutional law, criminal law and continuing education in criminal justice.

During his law enforcement career he spent many hours in courtrooms, working and observing the justice system at work.

He feels he knows how the system needs to work, not only for offenders but also to assist the victims of crime.

He has stated in his election flyer the need for bringing new ideas and practices to the courtroom.

Jasperson envisions a streamlined Justice Court being more effective by court fines being paid online, reducing long lines at the Justice Court; implementing video court for the first court appearance of people in custody, saving taxpayers money in transportation and staffing, and finally instituting night court twice a month to accommodate people who have difficulties taking time away from family and work.

If elected, Jasperson said, "I can begin working immediately without the need for schooling to be in the position of justice of the peace. I believe I can bring the knowledge and experience needed to perform the duties of justice of the peace."

Linda DeMeo

"I am the most accessible person in town. People are always stopping me whether I'm in line at the bank, in a restaurant or at a volunteer activity. The one issue I get the most questions about is Temporary Restraining Orders (TPOs). Now that I'm running for justice of the peace, that's still the number one thing I'm asked about by victims and women I am talking to.

"When I was doing research, I came upon a Nevada Revised Statute that states when a county's population is 47,000 or more, the court shall be available 24-hours a day, seven days a week to receive communications and for the issuance of a temporary order. That includes non-judicial days and holidays.

My husband and I have been in Pahrump almost 10 years, and even when Tony was a deputy people asked me for information because I am an easy person to find. And since I've been extremely involved in our community, people know I get things done.

"People ask me how the system works and where they go to get a TPO.

"I found that deputies arrest the adverse party and hold them in jail for just 12 hours. So now the victim has to go to court and obtain the restraining order. Hopefully, the court is open and they get the paperwork filed. From there, the TPO goes to the sheriff's office.

"The sheriff has 10 days to serve the notice. But the deputies then have to track this person down while fulfilling all their other duties. Other towns have the ability to serve the adverse person while he is still in jail.

"Everybody needs help. People are over worked everywhere. I am not here to point fingers -- I am willing to take this on."

Linda first suggested the feasibility of adding a night court in Pahrump for people whose work schedule does not allow them time off during the day. She is on the board of the Salvation Army and is involved with the Kiwanis and the VFW auxiliary. For the past seven years she's given scholarships to high school Valedictorians, as well as to the Miss Pahrump contest and has donated to the Beatty High School culinary department.