Mike James
Mike James
Greetings to the citizens of Mineral County. My name is Mike James, and I am pleased to announce my candidacy for the Hawthorne Justice of the Peace.
From a very young age I have worked hard to be a competent, honest and reliable citizen. Growing up, I was actively involved in my community, spending countless hours volunteering at my church and participating in outreach and service projects to improve and beautify my home town. At the age of 12, I was honored to earn my Eagle Scout rank in the Boy Scouts of America. My passion for public service drove me to become one of the youngest boys ever in my district council to be awarded the Eagle Ribbon. To achieve this, I took on a project to initiate curbside recycling in my community. I worked diligently with town departments and the federal and state government to acquire funding for equipment necessary to complete this laborious task. Along with the help of my fellow scouts and several other town residents we were able to divert millions of tons of solid municipal waste from the local landfill. The recycling program I initiated still thrives nearly 27 years later.
I carried this passion for service with me when I moved to Hawthorne in 2005. Over the past 12 to 13 years I have devoted myself to helping our wonderful community, focusing primarily on disadvantaged individuals that otherwise would have fallen through the cracks. I started working at the Mineral County Care and Share Senior Center in 2008 as the senior advocate, and then later as the program director. In those roles, I helped our county’s senior citizens gain access to services and benefits that they otherwise would have not received. In these positions, I forged great relationships with folks that have lived in Mineral County for far longer than myself. This helped me gain a unique perspective on our local history far beyond my relative newness to Mineral County.
In my current position I act as a court appointed surrogate decision maker for mentally and physically incapacitated individuals. This role has allowed me to take a more direct approach in helping people that do not have the ability to help themselves. Our department has worked with the state legislature and courts to reform the guardianship process, ensuring that guardianships are administered ethically and honestly. Working in the district court has been a great experience for me, and has helped kindle my enthusiasm for the legal process. Through my integrity-driven hard work in local government I have established excellent relationships with local and state agencies. I have been honored to be able to meet and help so many great people through my roles at the Senior Center and in local government.
It is with this passion for identifying and fulfilling a need that I enter into the race for Justice of the Peace. As a dedicated public servant, I have been honored and humbled to work alongside the people of this great community for several years. In addition to my experience in the fields of civil and probate law, my impartial nature and temperament make me ideally suited for the role of Justice of the Peace. I look forward to speaking with all of you about my goals, values, and experience, so please, don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions. I am very excited to continue to serve my friends and neighbors in Mineral County.
Breanna Hatfield
Breanna Hatfield
I, Breanna Hatfield, long time Nevada resident, wife and mother of soon to be three children, filed for the running of Justice of the Peace for Hawthorne Township. I have always exemplified the qualities of what it means to be a public official by taking part in my community whether I am spearheading fundraising for the middle school Dream Team or pushing to get extra donations for other local charities.
I am a recent business owner that knows how to balance a life of strong commitment to both my career and family commitments. I know the long hours and hard work that goes into holding such a position and the levels of commitment that is going to be needed to bring positive change to the community. Also I want to bring my years of education and experience within the criminal justice system to the justice court if elected. Along with being a graduate of Kaplan Universities Criminal Justice Program with a bachelor’s degree, I have also had career paths that have given me work experience within both the juvenile and adult criminal justice system. Criminal Justice was something I have been passionate about and have worked in different areas to narrow down exactly where I want to be within that field. I have always taken an interest in law and I believe the position of Justice of the Peace is a perfect fit.
This job is very important to our community and its primary role should be holding those people who choose to break the law accountable for their actions. This community needs someone who can toe the line and be a role model citizen for all ages of people, especially our youth. This is not an easy job; it is not a cushy job, but a position within our community that should be held to higher standards than most. I am ready and willing to set those standards, practice them and apply them not only in the community but the court room as well. No victims should be without justice, and justice does not have a last name. I look forward to meeting more of the great folks of Mineral County throughout this campaign process and earning your vote.
James Kenner
James Kenner
James Kenner, candidate for Justice of the Peace biography: Being a native Nevadan born in Winnemucca, I moved to Hawthorne in 1983 when my family relocated to Mineral County. I attended Mineral County High School. During high school I started working at the El Capitan as well as a part time dishwasher in 1985. At 16, the best chef I ever worked for asked me to take a shot at line cooking, to which as it turned out I had a knack for and enjoyed. I never looked back and continued my studies and practice at preparing meals and banquets at the El Capitan. After high school I continued cooking at the El Capitan until November of 1993 I started cooking at Maggie’s Restaurant. I would continue cooking for the next 16 years. Many of you I’m sure still remember my days there, after which I was recruited to go back to the El Capitan as executive chef. After three years Maggie’s requested to have my services back. I accepted and continued to work there until the establishment was sold and became The Refinery. During 1998 I continued my education as well, and attended the University of Phoenix online studying business. An education that has helped me through the years to this day.
My wife Meredith and I have been together for ten years in May. Absolutely one of the best choices that I have made in my life. I have three children ages 22, 21, and 17. While they are just beginning their life away from home I’m sure that there will be trials and tribulations along the way.
In the spring of 2011, I decided that it was time to return the favor to Mineral County Fire Department for saving my home when I had an electrical fire, and rescuing my mother when she had a stroke. I decided to study and learn to become an emergency medical technician. In August of 2011 I also joined the Hawthorne Volunteer Fire Department.
In 2012 I accepted employment as the full time admin/EMT for the Mineral County Fire Department. Granted that is not the way I liked to meet people, however over the years I have met some of the most wonderful citizens of Mineral County through our shared experiences at that time. Many of whom I had known from my days of cooking at Maggie’s. In July of 2013 I was able to become the first official advanced emergency medical technician of Mineral County. It was a very daunting task I will say, but one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in my life. It has allowed me to expand on the services we could provide to our people of Mineral County.
In 2016 I was asked to join the staff at the Mineral County Sheriff’s Department. I have learned so much about law and people over the last two years. During this time I have become aware of several issues that are plaguing our justice system that could use some review and revamping to provide better service to our citizens. I still enjoy helping and assisting our community from the Fire/EMS service as well. I still take pride every time I am able to assist one of our citizens in need.
Last year I decided that I would like to expand on my service to Mineral County by running for Justice of the Peace. Through all my experiences in public service I have learned to take a fair and unbiased approach to assessing situations. I have been studying the NRS codes, and the required classes to be certified as Justice of the Peace. I look forward to earning the respect and votes of the citizens of Mineral County. Together let us “Be the Choice” and work to improve communication and efficiency of our Justice System.
Paula Joe Reed
Paula Joe Reed
I, Paula Joe Reed, a sound, civic minded person. Born and raised here in Hawthorne and attended Cosmetology school in the State of Idaho and chose to come home with dreams and goals in mind. I am a wife, a mother of three and two step children and a grandmother of five and 3/4.
I have been a business owner here in Hawthorne 28 years come this March, and a friend of the working man and career employees. It has not always been easy and is ever changing but worth every minute. With 35 years in the industry I have seen a lot coming and going on in our small town and serving is what I know how to do. Not everyone is going to like you or the decisions made but for the citizens of Hawthorne the best decisions will be made with the best interest in mind. I love Hawthorne and I am ready to step out and into the eye of the community and into the Justice of the Peace Township of Hawthorne with the help of your vote. We have a great town with great people in this community who have chosen to live here, Yes, some have left, but some have came back. We have broken pieces in the system that need repaired and followed.
I feel strongly that I can help the Justice of the Peace become fair and trusted again.
