Redmove Nevada hosted the Northern Nevada Great Republican Townhall and Debates event at the Atlantis on Thursday.
Two separate debates took place for candidates running for the Sparks City Council and the Washoe County Board of Commissioners.
Lots of people attended to watch candidates in each race share their values and goals and explain why they deserve a seat on the council or the board.
"Liberty is given to us by God not by government and I believe that the people are the voice, and they are the country and as a leader that's who you're supposed to listen to," said Billy Hurt, candidate for Sparks City Council.
The first debate was between the candidates for the Sparks City Council.
All candidates attended except for Paul Anderson due to a family emergency. Multiple topics were discussed such as the homelessness crisis in the community.
"I am a fan of CARES Campus, but I am not a of fan of CARES Campus right now," said candidate Kris Dahir. "It was never meant to just stop there."
"We have not held CARES Campus accountable for the data to make sure all of the money that we are putting into that is actually making a difference," said candidate Chris Garvey. "I can tell you it's not. Their point in time count is off."
Candidates were also asked to share their top priorities for the city of Sparks and how they would address them.
"I would like to bring community back to Sparks," said Marie Baker, candidate. "Like I said, I was born and raised here we used to have a lot of events in Sparks and now we have to go to Reno to do anything."
The event finished off with the Washoe County Board of Commissioners debate.
All candidates participated except Clara Andriola. Each candidate explained how they would address inappropriate books being provided in Washoe County libraries available to students aged k-12.
"I would be disgusted to know that those books were there, and I would do everything I could to get those books removed including removing the people that are appointed in the library system. Just that simple," said Eugene Hoover, candidate for the Washoe County Board of Commissioners.
"I am not in any way in favor of banning books," said candidate Marsha Berkbigler. "I am in favor of making sure that books with inappropriate language, or pictures, or whatever else they have, do not get in the hands of our children."
Candidates also shared what they believe to be the number one problem in the county and how they plan to solve it.
"We do not have a homeless crisis," said candidate Tracey Thomas. "We have an opioid crisis. It's still there. It was there before COVID, it didn't just magically go away."
"Public safetym" said candidate Mark Lawson. "I mean what's more important than that? Takes a lion share of any budget and you know what's more important than the health and well-being and the safety of their families and friends and the community as a whole."
