In the past 6 years I have been standing up and speaking out on those things that are important to me and that I believe are in the best interest of all of our residents. I was involved in county politics before I ran the first time and have remained committed since that election. I’m not a recent entrant into that arena . I care.

 I have made the commitment to make a difference and I want to have the ability to affect the changes that are required.

I am running because I am concerned that some of the decisions made by our current Commission may not have been in the best interest of Storey County residents. I also believe that not enough has been done to look forward at the implications of the rapid growth that TRIC has brought to the County. In my mind self-interests and conflict of interests have gotten in the way of doing what is ultimately best for all of us.

We are growing and becoming more and more complex. This will require different ways of doing  business with the companies that locate here as well as with our communities.  A careful balance will need to be struck between the businesses at TRI, the very different needs of new residents moving into the county as a result of the high density growth that TRI will bring us to the North and the rural lifestyle that our current residents value in the South.  We will need to be more active in how the Virginia Range horse herd is dealt with and managed. All of these things will need to be addressed without compromising one community for another.

I am running because I believe that I can do the job in a way that represents and benefits all of the citizens…I have no conflicts of interest to cloud my decisions.  My experience is broad and diverse. I have more than 30 years of business and management experience in senior management, policy making and leadership positions. I have worked in small and large organizations, in for-profit and non-profit sectors with established and start-up organizations.

I have consistently challenged county leadership on issues relating to how they spend our money, how they treat people who question their actions, how they do business, how positions are created or filled, and why they do not adhere to NRS in some cases brought to their attention.

I have been involved in numerous community and volunteer activities throughout the county because I believe in giving back what you can, when you can, always.

As a way to keep people informed I have attended numerous county meetings over the years and published meeting summaries with context and editorials on bardeblog.com so that people would be aware of what is going on.

If you have read the blog you will see that I believe in and have stood up for:

• Fiscal responsibility, accountability and control
• Focusing on and improving the quality of life in each of our communities
• Bringing in tourism and business interests which create jobs and provide revenues in order to finance more services for all
• Balancing community quality of life issues with business interests
• Preserving what is unique and precious about “the Comstock way”  in each of our communities, change what is not working and improve what is working

I would like to continue to represent your interests as your County Commissioner from District 2, and if you believe as I do, I would appreciate your vote. I look forward to meeting each and every one of you as part of the campaign and hear your thoughts about what your needs are.  Please contact me directly with any questions, concerns or inputs you may have.