Just ten days after the candidate filing period closed that saw three people file for the Mesquite mayoral seat, one officially dropped out of the race on Monday, March 28.
Ken Cook submitted his withdrawal to the Mesquite City Clerk Tracy Beck leaving two candidates in the race. Incumbent Mayor Al Litman and Arthur Pereida will automatically advance to the general election in November skipping the primary election in June.
“In accordance with NRS 293C.180, if not more than twice the number of candidates to be elected have filed for nomination for an office, the names of those candidates will be omitted from all ballots for the primary city election and will be placed on all ballots for the general city election,” according to Beck.
In an email statement to the Mesquite Local News, Cook said “’This is to confirm the fact that I have decided to withdraw from the Mayoral election. After evaluating the pro’s and con’s (sic) of being Mayor with a number of prominent local residents and some City staff, reviewing the City audited financials, hearing about pending litigation, and speaking with leaders of major organizations outside of Mesquite, I have concluded that the lack of leadership, vision and progress of the current administration has caused Mesquite to be at least 10 years away from developing into a well-balanced, thriving and respected community.
“Given my personal time horizon, and after having already given many years of volunteer time and personal expense to the community, I concluded that it’s time to move on to a town that has made better progress. Therefore, I am not only withdrawing from the mayoral race, but I am also withdrawing from Mesquite.
“I realize that I may be disappointing some very wonderful people in Mesquite who share my frustrations, but please keep in mind that Mesquite has been a very big disappointment to me. I sincerely wish everyone the very best, and ask that you please pay very close attention to the election. This is a very critical year for Mesquite.”
Cook served as president of the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce in 2015 and was lauded for making significant improvements in the operation and responsiveness of the organization. He was also a founding member of the Mesquite Regional Business, Inc. (MRBI) in 2012 along with current MRBI CEO George Gault and city council candidate David Ballweg.
In 2013 Cook used his passion for documentary films to help establish the Mesquite Best of Fest Film Festival in partnership with DOCUTAH, the Eureka Community Initiative, Redd Hills Cinema that recently closed and the Eureka Casino Resort. The Festival became a popular part of Mesquite’s community drawing record crowds the last two years and all proceeds benefited the Mesquite Reads summer reading program at local elementary schools.
Yes – the good ol boyz – littman crew really have screwed this town up –
Between the city’s problems – all related to the ol boy mormon network ,littman,etc
And the the 3rd world utilities – opd and vvwd- all run by Mr. Haney and there Green Acres cousins are frankly a joke and embarrasment and will take years to clean up.
ENOUGH SAID-WELCOME TO MESQUITE – 20 yrs behind thanks to the good ol boyz and the littman crew
Mr. Cook, than you for dropping out of the race early. We have enough ugly politics in the national race.
Mr. Cook: Thank you so much for waiting until after the filing deadline to withdraw from the mayoral race, thus effectively assuring Al Littman a win. Your email announcing your withdraw from the race was self aggrandizing, but surely Mesquite can make it without another quitter.
Congratulations and salutations to Mrs. Littman who will retain her often-touted mayoral tiara, and to Ken Cook, “Don’t let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya”.
Cassey- Cook is the smartest guy in town!
He did his research- talked to people in and out of town and saw the writing on the wall- YOU WILL NEVER BEAT THE GOOD OL MORMON BOYZ AND THERE PUPPETS!
It wii take 10 yrs or more to get these guys outa town and move forward.
These guys- want there green acres town with no movement toward the future.
The only things that get approved are what they get some juice out of it!
Littman will keep us in the mesquite rfd mentality.
Along with our 3rd world utility companies here- all good ol boy interlaced