Thank you to the voters of County Commission District 2

On Tuesday, August 15th the voters gave a vote of confidence in the representation that I have given Washoe County since 2003. I am grateful to everyone who voted that day and to those who voted in early voting and by absentee ballot. Voting is such an important function in a free society and should never be taken for granted.

As I went from door to door visiting with voters I found many who were not registered and I encouraged all of them to contact the Washoe County Voter Registrar’s office (775-328-3670) to fill out the simple form to get registered. Remember, you can pick up the form at the counter at the Post Office, at DMV or at a library, fill it out and mail it in and you will be registered. Please encourage all your family and friends and associates who are not registered to do this well in advance of November 7th—because that is an important election date too.

I also want to thank all the candidates who did run and participate in the primary election because it means a great deal of sacrifice to run for office. If you see one of these candidate please do not hesitate to extend your hand to thank them for doing their part to keep our society strong.

David Humke on Issues of Concern to Washoe County

Increase citizen participation:
One basic area is to provide a fair and even playing field under the open meeting law for citizen comment. Any citizen should feel comfortable in being heard. Next elected policy makers must listen to citizens. Elected officials must act on the concerns of citizens and finally must hold staff accountable to carry out citizen wishes in a cost effective, courteous manner of service delivery.

Encourage regional cooperation:
I believe that putting the litigation regarding the 2002 Amendments to the Regional Plan behind us would allow for much greater cooperation between Washoe County, the City of Reno and the City of Sparks. The Regional Plan legislation needs a tune up because most elected officials and many of the staff who work in this area believe that the Regional Planning process we have now is dysfunctional. As to collaboration efforts, I agree that these are needed. I think there is a great opportunity for collaboration (in areas such as flood control) and other difficult issues where the effects of planning and/or growth inherently cross all jurisdictional lines.

Thoughts on growth:
We need to anticipate and plan for the effects of growth better than we have in the past in the areas of flood control, transportation, education and water resources. I support the efforts currently under discussion to provide for concurrency in these areas. There are current efforts by the local entities and the state in the area of water resources and purveyor consolidation which I support. All three entities need to assist the school district in catching up in the planning effort so that they can provide school building resources to the newly developed areas in a more timely fashion. I believe that collaborative efforts in the area of transportation planning have paid off with all entities requiring development proposals to include dedication of transportation corridor right of way for the future roads.