This is my Story:

 

I work with patrol as a Community Services Officer for the City of Reno Police Department, a job I've held for almost eight years. This job has given me a real sense of what is happening in our neighborhoods, what our community needs and wants, good knowledge of the area, and a good understanding of our public safety system.  

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For the past several years, I've been an active volunteer serving on several boards including the Ward 3 Neighborhood Advisory Board, the Reno Arts & Culture Commission, and the Washoe County Library Board of Trustees. I'm also in a leadership position with the Sierra Arts Literary Community. I have a strong commitment to the arts, intellectual freedom, and access to information. I've also attended numerous city council and county commissioner meetings and spoken during public comment as a private citizen.  

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I am running for Washoe County Commission District 2 and my platform focus includes: public safety, infrastructure and roads, smart growth, wildfire and flood response, and safeguarding Washoe County for future generations.

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So, who is Marie and what is her background?

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I grew up in a large multi-cultural family. I have - give or take a couple - 50 first cousins. Before making Northern Nevada home in 2000, my life had been pretty transitory. By the time I married my husband, shortly after I'd graduated high school, I had lived in two countries, three states, and nine different houses. 

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After we married, my husband and I continued to do plenty of moving around, chasing jobs as we looked for our forever home. We began our life together in South Texas. Our jobs took us briefly to the Califonia Bay Area. On a trip over the pass, to visit family living in Reno, we fell in love with the area. My husband loves the desert I love mountains, it made sense to plant our roots in Washoe County. 

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Maybe it's my inquisitive nature or just my desire to learn new things, whatever it is, I've had quite a few different careers and traveled the country. I spent over ten years in the airline industry, and worked nearly every job in the company: reservations, baggage handler, ticket counter, gate agent, training, hiring, and ramp manager. I spent four years as a medical technician and emergency department unit clerk. My husband and I drove over a million miles, each, in the years we drove together as professional truck drivers. Working in service careers allowed me some great opportunities to meet and serve people from all backgrounds in industries that expect integrity, safety, and dependability.

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I am an avid reader and love non-fiction as much as fiction. I consider myself a life-long learner so I read to learn. I've earned two associate degrees and am currently working on a BA in political science from UNR. 

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My life revolves around my family, my writing, classic Rock & Roll music, our dog, exploring the area, riding my Harley, and of course civic engagement.  

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Boards & Commissions:

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Reno Arts & Culture Commission (chair)

Washoe County Library Board of Trustees (trustee)

Ward 3 Neighborhood Advisory Board (former chair, vice-chair)

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Degrees & Education:

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Associate in General Studies degree – TMCC

Associate of Arts degree – TMCC

Political Science, major – UNR (enrolled, pursuing B.A)

International Affairs emphasis

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Published Writer:

 

Staff writer and contributing writer to local newspapers (El Observador, San Jose Mercury News). Published author of four novels (as Marie Navarro). 

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