Candidate Forums

I will be speaking at the following candidate forums:

October 6 – 6:30 pm - Fernley Combined PTAs Candidates Night, Cottonwood Elementary, 925 Farm District Road (corner Cottonwood Lane/Farm District Rd

October 16, 6:00 pm, Calvary Chapel/ Lahontan Valley News Candidate Night – Calvary Chapel , 875 Fremont Lane, Fernley

October 23, 7:00 pm, Fernley Circles Initiative Candidate Night – Fernley Senior Center, 1170 West Newlands, Fernley

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Builders Questions

1. How much debt should be put on each citizen of the City?

They say that, if you are in a hole, the first thing you should do is stop digging. Fernley is in a hole, and needs to take serious measures to begin to get out of it. According to Standard and Poor’s overall debt per capita at $1,000 is considered low, up to $2500 is moderate, and over $2,500 is high. Per the 2007 financial statements, Fernley’s per capita debt was at $2,977. They decided to dig the hole a little deeper, and issue more debt in 2008. With a population of approximately 19,700 (per city of Fernley website) we are currently at $4500 per capita. In my opinion, the city needs to get down to moderate debt levels below $2500 per person.
As an individual, my family lives on a budget - if I don't have the money, we don't buy it. The city needs to follow the same mentality. I believe the “want” is overriding the “needs” in expense growth, and that needs to change drastically. Clearly this is not the time for new programs, large investments, or capital improvements. Rather, it is a time for belt tightening, planning, and debt reduction.

2. Who should fix existing infrastructure problems?

Our rapid growth has left us with a quandary on how to best fund our future. My opinion is that in order to maintain Fernley as an attractive place to live and do business in requires that we compromise in both increasing property taxes (although it may be hard to swallow for most home owners) and increase sales taxes or taxes on fuel. A moderate increase in both should get us closer to where we need to be. I think we need to work more closely with Lyon County – letting go of old grudges in order to move forward and find solutions.

3. Should developers pay for infrastructure expansion due to growth?

I believe that developers should expect to pay for and install infrastructure that is associated with their private developments, but they should not be expected to pay for existing or new public infrastructure. The fees they are required to pay must be reasonable, and must be imposed in a fair and equitable manner. I do not view impact fees as a “get rich quick” scheme for the local government. We cannot expect businesses to bear the burden of our poor planning. I do not agree with the way the current CIP committee is run. There is no master plan, no consensus in how to access fees, or even where to begin. There is no reason to re-invent the wheel. We should look towards other cities that have managed to provide infrastructure, while not alienating the business community. Public infrastructure costs should be paid for by city government through multiple revenue streams including increased revenues from services, taxes, bonds, and developer fees.



4. Should the City be out front promoting our City for future development?

It is a fundamental responsibility of government to create an environment where all of its citizens can thrive and prosper. We need to become a pro-business city not only through our words, but through our actions in order to attract businesses that create jobs, increase tax base, and provide sales taxes. The permitting and development process takes too long and is too costly. The City Building department is not user friendly and makes developers and retailers spend more time and money compared to other cities with like sized projects. We must aggressively address financial incentives, zoning incentives and planning incentives, especially to help new and existing small businesses thrive.

Representatives from our city, either staff or council should act as ambassadors actively soliciting new businesses to locate in Fernley.

5. Should the City be in the water business or should they just let water to be taken out of the area?

From its beginnings at Lake Tahoe to its terminus in Pyramid Lake, the Truckee River is one of the most litigated, adjudicated, and studied little rivers in America. If we do not keep the water here, users downstream will take it. Water is one of the scarcest resources and most pressing issues facing our area. Without water there would be no development - With no water, we have no city.

6. Which is more important to the City? Pick Three
1. Police force
2. Schools
3. Roads
4. Water
5. Hospitals
6. Movie theaters
7. Jobs
8. A fleet of new cars for the City employees
9. Making sure the City Manager answers to no one.


1. Jobs – With the current state of the economy, and soaring gas prices, we need more local jobs in order to keep residents here. Rising commute costs has made living in Reno and Sparks more economical than staying in Fernley.

2. Police Force – We have been severely understaffed for years now. Crime rates have increased, yet police staff has decreased. I would like to see 1 or 2 “city officers”. If the county jail remains in Yerington, I would also like to see some sort of sub station or holding area that could house inmates temporarily until they could be transported en masse during non-peak hours, reducing officer time away from Fernley.

3. Roads – Roads are cracking in Fernley. Potholes are cropping up on Cottonwood. Pavement is wearing out on Fremont. The longer our roads go without repair, the worse their condition becomes and the more it will cost to fix. The cost of highway and street construction jumped 66 percent since 2000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And it's still on the rise.
We have been able to fund some road projects, including routine maintenance, but that funding is no longer keeping up with the soaring costs and rising demands of roadwork. Our population growth has put increased demands on our infrastructure. Our roads are in need of funding, and there are many solutions, including enacting a future special assessment district, a tax override or other alternative sources to fund road repairs and maintenance.
We can either move forward with a solution, or we can do nothing, which will cost more in the long run. Nothing is free. I will advocate looking towards a combination of solutions that will not put the burden solely on the tax payer nor on the building community.


7. If elected what is the first item you would put on the agenda? To discuss world peace is not an acceptable answer.

Elected officials are public servants, but so are our city staff. The public expects that those who govern it will work for the best interests of the City and not their own individual interests; they expect honesty, fairness, and a commitment to the common good. When a public official fails in one or more of these, the public themselves has a very effective mechanism to hold the officials accountable and that is at the ballot box if no other place.

But the public also expects elected officials who operate on the public’s behalf to hold city staff accountable. That is not currently being done. During my campaign, and even before, I have seen that some public employees are not acting in the city’s best interest. There are lawsuits that could have been avoided, disgruntled employees, past and current, and serious warning signs in our financial statements including increasing debt, and reductions in the general fund for the past two years, and NRS violations, that can no longer be ignored. Greater oversight of city staff needs to be implemented, and staff changes may also need to be made in order to best serve the residents of Fernley.

Realtors' Questions

1. What motivated you to run for Fernley City Council and if successful what do you hope to accomplish during your term?

I moved to Fernley over seven years ago, and found myself quickly involved in many community activities ranging from coaching soccer, to judging high school forensic competitions. I grew to truly love this community. My desire to be a part of the city council comes from this genuine love of Fernley and the people who live here.

As a member of the Fernley City Council, I will be the voice that will push for the services and jobs that this community needs to grow. We need a plan to promote growth, stimulate our local economy, lure new businesses to locate in our area, and complete vital infrastructure needs that have been neglected to remain competitive. That plan can include any number of things ranging from easier permit processes, low fees, and expedited services.

Elected officials are public servants, but so are our city staff. The public expects that those who govern it will work for the best interests of the City and not their own individual interests; they expect honesty, fairness, and a commitment to the common good. When a public official fails in one or more of these, the public themselves has a very effective mechanism to hold the officials accountable and that is at the ballot box if no other place. But the public also expects elected officials who operate on the public’s behalf to hold city staff accountable. That is not currently being done.

During my campaign, and even before, I have seen that some public employees are not acting in the city’s best interest. There are lawsuits that could have been avoided, disgruntled employees, past and current, and serious warning signs in our financial statements including increasing debt, and reductions in the general fund for the past two years, and NRS violations, that can no longer be ignored. Greater oversight of city staff needs to be implemented, and staff changes may also need to be made in order to best serve the residents of Fernley.




2. How do you feel real estate signs should be regulated?

The real estate sector is a HUGE part of Fernley’s economic health, and the industry has taken a huge blow already due to the economy. Enacting stringent laws regarding sign posting at his time will not only effect those in the real estate sector, but also to the home seller’s themselves. In this market it is tough enough to sell a home, we don’t need any additional regulations as long as the developers, agents, property managers, investors, and home owners don’t grossly abuse the practice.

3. In your view, what is the single most important problem facing the City of Fernley in the next 5 years? What do you plan to do to address this problem?

Our rapid population growth has placed pressures on this community in a variety of areas including housing, transportation, waste disposal, air and water protection, schools, etc. State budget cuts have placed increased limitations on the amount of funds available to us to help alleviate these problems.

I believe the city is essentially a business, and as such should be run like a business with plans to increase revenues and cut expenditures. We have placed too much of the burden of supporting the city on builders and taxes – there are alternative revenue generating programs that other cities are using that need to be looked at. We also need to look carefully at the spending that is taking place to determine where cuts can be made.



4. Occasionally ordinances to retrofit items or service systems at point-of-sale are proposed, i.e., woodburning stove retrofits or low flow toilets. This often happens when citizens will not voluntarily do the retrofit. Would you support point-of-sale proposals?

I think a point of sale requirement will be very costly and slow the home buying process down. This type of out-of-pocket expense will prevent many homeowners from having the option to sell their home, particularly if they need to sell due to a difficult financial situation. In addition, the cost will inevitably be passed on to homebuyers, making it even more difficult to afford a home in Fernley. Fernley’s draw has always been affordable living, and we are taking too many steps leading us away from that. I am also concerned that we do not have the available city staff to handle such an undertaking.
I would prefer to have information available regarding the incentives that are available from businesses such as the rebates that are offered through Sierra Pacific for purchasing energy efficient appliances.




5. Lyon County is considering creating a roads and alleys general improvement district which would increase property taxes within the City of Fernley? Do you support this effort? ________ If yes, why?

Yes. Roads are cracking in Fernley. Potholes are cropping up on Cottonwood. Pavement is wearing out on Fremont. The longer our roads go without repair, the worse their condition becomes and the more it will cost to fix. The cost of highway and street construction jumped 66 percent since 2000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And it's still on the rise.
We have been able to fund some road projects, including routine maintenance, but that funding is no longer keeping up with the soaring costs and rising demands of roadwork. Our population growth has put increased demands on our infrastructure. Our roads are in need of funding, and there are many solutions, including enacting a future special assessment district, a tax override or other alternative sources to fund road repairs and maintenance.
We can either move forward with a solution, or we can do nothing, which will cost more in the long run. Nothing is free




6. What is your position on impact fees? Additionally, what is you position on the current requirement to install purple pipe during initial development of property?

I am not a proponent of impact fees. Since announcing my candidacy, I have researched impact fees fairly extensively. I do not believe that impact fees are economically sound; traffic impact fees are a flawed method of providing infrastructure. . Development impact fees vary greatly between jurisdictions with many imposing fees that are difficult to justify. Many governments simply come up with a wish list of public projects and then they try to get them financed by developers. In these cases, the impact fees are nothing more than a general tax on development.

Proponents of impact fees argue that impact fees make developers pay for the costs their developments impose on a community, but the truth of the matter is that the cost of impact fees is rarely paid be the developers – the fees are almost always passed on to the occupants in the form of a higher purchase price or increased rent.

Adverse economic consequences will result if the aggregate impact fee schedule is too high, as households and businesses consider moves to Fernley, they also look at other locations such as Storey County, Silver Springs, Fallon, and Dayton all of which are good substitutes for moving to Fernley. These areas will become even more attractive to developers if we move forward with the rates of impact fees that have been proposed for Fernley. Overcharging new development relative to other areas is likely to delay further development and slow economic growth.

It will hurt our already struggling economy, as more and more companies choose to locate in places other than Fernley. We are going to lose the services these businesses offer, we’re going to lose the jobs they provide. We’re going to lose the taxes these workers pay. We’re going to lose the money they spend right there in our community.

As I state before, increased building fees are almost always passed on to the buyer, and I believe the purple pipe system is no different. I believe that the choice to use the purple pipe system should be up to each individual homeowner, similar to other options offered when you purchase a new home (not everyone chooses the upgrades). I think that the option should be offered to every new homeowner, and that homes should be built to allow for installation at a later point if the current homeowner (or future homeowner) wishes to have this option.



7. Why should Realtors® support your candidacy?

You should support my candidacy for Fernley city council because it is time for a change. The time has come for a new generation of leaders to step forth and put Fernley back on track.

My track record demonstrates a long-standing interest in community issues, my volunteer activities have been varied and deep. I have been actively involved with the Rotary, AYSO, ComPaSS, Healthy Communities, and other organizations in town. It is because of the both the range and extent of my volunteer work that I feel such a part of the many aspects of this community.

In addition, to the close ties within the community, I also bring education and experience to the table. I attended UNR, majoring in accounting – I have training in economics, statistics, marketing, and accounting. These are all things that really matter to city government.

Guiding the direction of a city is hard work, but I'm prepared for it. I know what it means to do whatever is necessary to get the job done, and I know how to do my homework to understand complex issues. I will be an ear that will listen to your ideas and concerns. I humbly ask for your kind support.




8. What is your position on property rights protection for landowners?

I believe that property rights are governed by our Federal government through the Constitution, specifically in the 5th and 14th amendments. The Fifth Amendment states:
Nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
The Fourteenth Amendment states:
No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.

I believe federal government trumps state or local government.


9. What steps would you, as a council member, take to address revenue shortfalls in your city?

They say that, if you are in a hole, the first thing you should do is stop digging. Fernley is in a hole, and needs to take serious measures to begin to get out of it. According to Standard and Poor’s overall debt per capita at $1,000 is considered low, up to $2500 is moderate, and over $2,500 is high. Per the 2007 financial statements, Fernley’s per capita debt was at $2,977. They decided to dig the hole a little deeper, and issue more debt in 2008. With a population of approximately 19,700 (per city of Fernley website) we are currently at $4500 per capita. In my opinion, the city needs to get down to moderate debt levels below $2500 per person.

As an individual, my family lives on a budget - if I don't have the money, we don't buy it. The city needs to follow the same mentality. I believe the “want” is overriding the “needs” in expense growth, and that needs to change drastically. Clearly this is not the time for new programs, large investments, or capital improvements. Rather, it is a time for belt tightening, planning, and debt reduction.

Meet The Candidate Speech July 24 Calvary Chapel

It would be an honor and privilege to represent the citizens of Fernley and in particular Ward 1.

I know and love this ward. I know its great strengths, its character and its diverse needs. There is probably nowhere in the city where there is more civic energy, more imaginative ideas, and more diversity than in Ward 1. The council person for Ward 1 needs to be accessible to both the new Fernley Resident who has bought a home at the Golf Course after a recent retirement from a successful career in California, to the third generation farmer on Vine St. whose bumper proudly bears the sticker saying “I don’t care how they did it in California.” I believe I am the person who can do that.

My relationship with this city began in 2001 when my husband and I chose to buy our first home, at 140 Granada St. in Ward 1. While I wasn’t exactly kicking and screaming about the move, I did have serious doubts about my ability to be happy in this little one horse town in the middle of the desert.

My love for this community, however, far surpassed any initial doubts I may have had, and I soon found myself deeply involved in community activities ranging from coaching soccer to judging high school forensics competitions for the American Legion.

My desire to be a part of the city council comes from this genuine love of Fernley and the people who live here. I have seen firsthand the dramatic changes the city has undergone in just the short few years it has been incorporated. I know that many of our residents are new to Fernley and many have come from places where they are used to better municipal services. However, I also know that these services come at a price, not only in money and time, but sometimes at the expense of our quality of life. I want to be a member of the city council to help make the decisions that give us 21st century amenities without giving up on our unique rural assets.

Fernley is in the middle of a difficult transition from small town to small, modern city. When I first moved here, we leisurely drove along un-crowded 2 lane rounds and no one even knew what a roundabout was, but things have changed since then. And change, while inevitable comes with challenges that require action. We must be pro-active. We must be creative, and we must be willing to seek out new possibilities and take some risks.

Unmanaged growth will destroy the character of any city, but growth can be managed. We can preserve the best of our past and still welcome a bright future, if we have leaders who are committed to both our past and our future, and who have the backbone to enforce reasonable laws and regulations designed to manage growth and protect our quality of life.

As we move forward, we need a new, progressive voice on the City Council; a voice that offers new ideas to address challenges both old and new. I will contribute that fresh outlook.
I have the qualifications, credentials, educational background, and passion to competently represent the citizens of Fernley. I have successfully participated in private business, public service, and community organizing. As a mom, I am committed to the quality of life in our community.

I am committed to the future. As I said before, we are at a critical juncture in our city’s history. The choices we make today will directly affect the community in which we- and our children- will live tomorrow. I believe that a strong community is defined by connections. The connections between parents and children, among homes, schools, and businesses, and between our small town atmosphere and the necessary growth that will sustain our community. Everything from new housing, to transportation, to elder care, and facilities and programs for our kids – all of these individual concerns affect each other. I will look at that bigger picture.

I am committed to Public Safety.

My husband and I are raising our family of 6 boys here in Fernley, and I understand the expectations of parents for a safe, active, and caring community.

I view public safety as a larger community issue that involves not only our Sheriff’s Deputies, but also land use and planning decisions, neighborhood watch groups, safe places for our kids to hang out and be themselves, and programs that allow the elderly and teens to get to know and care for one another. I am committed to taking a pro-active stance with NDOT advocating for safer travel in our community. They might not think that a traffic light is warranted on Fremont, but I live here and KNOW it is. I want to take action before a tragedy occurs.

I am committed to Healthy Growth.

It is irresponsible for us to continue focusing on increasing taxes, increasing water user fees, and levying unfair burdens on new construction to support the growing needs of our community.
I believe the city needs to have a sensible plan for economic development that will provide the means by which we will pay for community improvements. Having a strong base of retail and service businesses increases employment opportunity and also contributes to a growing community wealth. We need to make an effort to bring more money in to the community than leaves the community. The money that stays in the community is invested in homes, businesses, public works, and is available for lending. It also circulates through local businesses increasing opportunity for more and more citizens. Just as a good savings account makes you individually more prosperous, economic development success will make our community more prosperous. Economic Development for the city must begin with the lead of the City Council. The City Council needs to play an active role in economic development by partnering with the Chamber of Commerce, local builders, Lyon County government, and regional and state entities to assure continued, desirable, and manageable economic growth.

I also believe that the city manager’s office needs to be more aggressive in seeking out grants. We are one of the ONLY cities federally mandated to build new water treatment plants that did not receive grants to help pay for it. That is free money that is falling out of our pockets! Why are we one of the only communities burdening our citizens with a $90 million debt?

I am committed to our Youth.
Most of my community involvement has centered on our youth, and I will continue to do that as a member of the city council. Supporting our children is critical to Fernley’s success. I will champion programs to engage our city leaders and residents in efforts to enhance the ongoing school experiences of our youth including early childhood enrichment, after school initiatives, career development services, and mentoring.


I am committed to Building Bridges.
Too often, we see our community divided. We hear about old Fernley and new Fernley. It makes for heated debates, but this is everybody’s Fernley. We need a leader on our City Council who hears the voices and concerns of people from all sides of any argument and translates those perspectives into action and creative solutions. We need a leader who will work together with other government agencies for results.

I am committed to our City Staff.
I will work toward building the best possible city staff. We have to hire and retain good people if we want safe streets, reliable power, clean water, and all the other benefits of good government. This requires a strong commitment to merit-based hiring principles, effective training programs, and enough respect for the ability of our workers to pay them fairly and then hold them accountable for doing their jobs with excellence.

We have a wonderful mayor in Mayor Cutler. He has a strong vision for the city of Fernley and I share that vision. This is not to suggest that I would be a rubber stamp for the mayor. Far from it. As my husband can attest, I am not shy about speaking my mind.

But I can work with the mayor and the other members of the City Council on the pressing issues facing this city.
City government can lead, be positive, open doors, be business-friendly, be proactive in seeking issue solution, and partner with organizations to make Fernley a better place. I am dedicated to be a leader in city government with a “yes we can, let’s figure out how” attitude.

I am committed to the Citizens of Fernley

I’m passionate about making Fernley the community I know it can be. I am committed to serving Ward 1 and Fernley residents by making myself 100% accessible for you to voice your concerns. I will use my community and work service experience to work with the council and City staff, to be an advocate for the city, and represent the neighbors and families in Ward One, I will listen, I will answer my email and my telephone, I will be present and committed. I If elected to council, I will listen respectfully to what the people in my ward ask of me, and I will follow what they ask me to do, or provide a polite and honest explanation for why I cannot.
We’re at a critical juncture in the course of Fernley’s history and we have some big decisions to make about what kind of community we wish to become. As voters, we have some big decisions to make about what type of leaders we want.

There are many different types of leadership styles. The leadership style that I have adopted over the years is what you would call a servant leader. I am a servant first and a leader second. I have been serving the residents of the city of Fernley since he first moved here seven years ago. Whether it was coaching soccer, teaching drug prevention courses at the Middle School, judging forensics competitions for the American Legion, or directing children’s theater. I have always engaged myself professionally and personally in activities that help make Fernley a better place to live. A servant leader encourages collaboration and trust. A servant leader listens. A servant leader governs based on compromise but a servant leader never compromises on his principals. That is who I am. Serving our city is no easy task. There are many interests and voices to be considered. But you can be assured that with me, you will have a leader who will look around to see who’s missing from the table before any conversation begins. And once that conversation starts everyone will have a voice.

And before any decision is made or vote cast I will ask myself:

* How will my decision affect our children’s future?

* How will my decision maintain the integrity of this great city?

* How will my decision move this city forward?

If that is the type of leader you want, I ask that you vote for me for Fernley City Council Ward 1. Our votes will make a difference. It’s time for a much-needed change of direction on the council so that we can start planning for the challenges of the next 20 years instead of arguing about the past 20 years.

As I proceed in this campaign, I seek your advice, guidance and support. I welcome your active engagement in this great effort. Let us work together, in common purpose, to make Fernley the great city it can and should be. Let us work together with a commitment to community.
Thank you!