A Safer and More Efficient Washoe County

 

With over 500,000 residents, and still growing, Washoe County has been facing strains on infrastructure, traffic congestion, safety, and other concerns. 

As a longtime Nevadan and public employee who works daily in the community, I have first-hand experience with local issues and resources; and have had conversations on various topics with my neighbors and residents. 

 

PUBLIC SAFETY:

Public safety is the first and most fundamental duty of any county government. Emergencies don't stop at city limits, and local agency responses shouldn't either. The 2024 Davis Fire was a wake-up call that threatened our entire county, but nowhere was the danger felt more acutely than in Washoe Valley.

 

For the residents in that area, the fire wasn't just a news story – it was a life-threatening reality. The infrastructure of East Lake Boulevard failed the Washoe Valley community. As the smoke closed in and choked the community, the gridlock on the limited infrastructure and roads displayed a glaring weakness. Emergency management had difficulty moving residents out of harm's way efficiently. It is past time for action. 

 

• I support the moving forward with studies and discussion for a Regionalized Fire and EMS model. I believe anyone in Washoe County should be getting the closest resource for help regardless of jurisdiction. 

• Washoe Valley evacuation modernization. I will advocate with the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC), Emergency Management, and First Responders to implement an audit and work toward a viable intelligent traffic management system for evacuations. 

• Implement a regional "Emergency Signal Override" system. During an evacuation, traffic signals on major arterials (like the 395/East Lake interchange) should be controlled remotely to favor the outbound flow of residents.

·      During the Davis Fire, many residents struggled with fragmented information. We need a unified regional emergency alert system that provides street-level, real-time GPS updates. This will help residents evacuating know exactly which way to turn before they hit the gridlock. The "One-Voice" Alert System: During the Davis Fire, 

·      Unified Command Structure. As we work toward a regionalized model, I will support a move beyond "mutual aid" to a permanent regionalized command for Fire and EMS. When a fire starts at Davis Creek, there should be no delay in deploying resources from across the county – seconds save lives and homes. 

 

 

Keeping Washoe’s Talent at Home:
 

Our greatest export shouldn't be our children. For too long, we have watched our brightest young

minds and hardest-working students leave Washoe County because they don't see a clear path to

a high-paying career or a home they can afford right here.

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We must remain competitive on a national level to ensure our students aren't left behind. While

many of our students are encouraged to continue their education at TMCC and UNR, we

shouldn’t view the skilled trades or today’s job market as Plan B.
 

The American Dream in Northern Nevada is built by those who can master a craft. We need to

bridge the gap between our classrooms and our local unions, trade schools, and job market. To

the front of the line. By prioritizing vocational mastery and local job placement, we will ensure

that Washoe County remains a place where our children don't just grow up, they stay, work, and

thrive.

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RETAINING LOCAL TALENT:

 

 Industry-Certified Classrooms: Support and strengthen partnerships with the local

trades and tech industry to sponsor high-school "Technical Labs." Students should

graduate with industry-recognized certifications (like OSHA, Welding, or IT) that

allow them to earn a job the Monday after graduation.

 

Support efforts to expand career pathways: advocate plans for high-skill, high-

wage opportunities in the trades are treated with the same priority as academic

degrees.

 

Incentivizing Local Talent: Endorse efforts to strengthen a pipeline from our schools to our local industries and career market so our kids

can build their careers, families, and futures right here in Washoe County.

 

Honoring and Caring for our Seniors and Veterans

Washoe County veterans deserve respect for their service. Our seniors should be able to age with dignity and security. They have earned their benefits through decades of hard work and sacrifice. They shouldn’t need a computer science degree to access them. Unfortunately, for many veterans and seniors, today’s 'online red tape' has become a barrier to basic dignity. 

 

I find it concerning that there are so many government and non-profit programs and resources available for our seniors and veterans, yet these members of our community do not know about them, or they don’t apply for them because they find the application process overwhelming. 

 

RESOURCE GUIDE:

 

• I will propose implementing a Washoe County Senior and a Veterans online and in print directory of programs and resources. 

• The resources will be benefits, resources, and programs offered through the government, non-profit, and non-government organizations (NGOs).

• It will be written in plain language and structured in easy to follow sections. 

• Included will be benefits, housing, transportation, medical supplies, social events, food, legal, technological aid and resources, etc. 

• Step-by-Step to local (Washoe County) resources.