Column: Government for the People needs to be by the People
Submitted by editor on Mon, 11/09/2015 - 9:28pm
Many believe that government is increasingly responding to the agenda of special interests and not acting for the common good. I am holding steadfast that our local government needs to be: of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Carson City operates under the Board of Supervisors/City Manager form of City Government. The Board is the legislative body that makes decisions for the community and also appoints the City Manager. According to the City website: “The Board is charged with providing orderly government and safeguarding the general health, welfare, and safety of its citizens”.
Points of interest:
1. Carson City’s economic recovery is not dependent upon decreasing taxes or fees (although it would be nice). Improving our educational system needs to be a key component for Carson City economic survival. For higher educational availability we need to support and maintain a sound working relationship with Western Nevada College (WNC). Expanding access to higher education could contribute to economic strength and make for a more vibrant community. We need incentives and opportunities for permanent employment of our college graduates. Carson City would then become a magnet for investment and create a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
2. Carson City has launched a program called #CarsonProud. This is a multi-media publicity campaign “designed to keep residents up-to-date on projects, and share our love for the city”. With a (+/-) $100k budget, currently managed by Public Works this should be reviewed, as the City’s IT Department is the more appropriate department to run this and would likely do so more efficiently.
3. During the last Legislative Session, SB29 passed and grants Carson City limited functional “Home Rule”, how this will be implemented is still unknown. This is an in-depth and lengthy topic, so please contact me for details.
4. Another major election year (2016) approaches and both national and state elections will demand our attention. However, your efforts in making any real change for you and yours in Carson City begin locally, as 2016 is also an election year for Carson City Board of Supervisors. Ward Two (currently held by Brad Bonkowski) and Ward Four (currently held by me) as well as the Mayor’s seat (currently held by Bob Crowell), are all on the ballot.
5. Also on the November 2016 ballot. Carson City voters will approve or disapprove “Gas Tax Indexing”. This tax amount is yet to be determined and would be added to the current per gallon gas price. All funds collected through this new tax will go towards street maintenance within the community.
6. The Downtown Revitalization Project including the narrowing of Carson Street between Williams and Fifth St. from four lanes to two and the removal of all center median landscaping will begin next year. Widening of the sidewalks and many other aesthetic upgrades will hopefully brighten the area for tourism and growth. The plans are available for review at City Hall or feel free to contact me for more information. This project has many great qualities; however, I did vote NO for this project and did so, as citizens should have been given the opportunity to vote on this issue.
We have three other corridors that will also be revitalized (with the 1/8 of a cent sales tax) which are the North, East and South “entrances” to Carson City. I encourage everyone to attend the public meetings that will be held in the near future where plans for these projects will be discussed. Many citizens are still shocked and upset at the final results of the Downtown Revitalization Project but there was much public notice and discussion prior to this phase of the conceptual drawings.
Remember - Participation by the many, yields great results on the decisions made by the few.
If you don’t know which Ward you live in or which Board member represents your Ward, call the Clerk’s office at 887-2087.
Wishing you all a safe and happy holidays and I look forward to hearing from you.
— Jim Shirk is a Carson City Supervisor for Ward 4. He can be reached at (775) 720-5761 or by email, ILoveCarsonCity@yahoo.com.
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