By Mayita Sanchez, Candidate for Carson City Board of Supervisors, Ward 3
On Thursday, October 15, the Carson City Board of Supervisors approved the abandonment of public rights-of-way in downtown Carson City to accommodate anticipated development, including a parking garage. Less than 24 hours later, the City announced that its proposed partnership with the Hop and Mae Adams Foundation for a new City Hall and parking garage would not move forward.
That sequence deserves more than a press release. It deserves a transparent objective evaluation of the process utilized to assess the agreement so we can learn from our efforts over the last six months.
Residents may feel relieved that the City is reconsidering a costly lease-purchase arrangement. But the Board’s decision to approve the street abandonment remains.
What happens next? We know nothing new today besides that the partnership is no longer viable? Will the Board approve the street abandonment even without a project?
Is this a total reset to provide what the public has always asked for which is full disclosure of space needs, alternatives considered and least cost options without adopting the more expensive lease option.
These are questions that need to be addressed now.
Supporting economic development does not mean giving private interests a blank check.
As a candidate for a nonpartisan office, I’ve been clear about my priorities. Carson City comes first. Our neighborhoods, small businesses, working families, and taxpayers come first.
I don’t believe residents need to choose between economic progress and responsible government. We can have both. But that requires members of the Board of Supervisors (Board) who are willing to question assumptions, demand complete information before making decisions.
Unlike my opponent, I will work to ensure that we advance a project only when all facts and figures are known to the Board and the public in unison so we can reach closure effectively and efficiently. As voters, you can rely on me to hold town hall to understand your concerns and share my thoughts with you openly at all times. Forcing an outcome to meet a project deadline has never worked for me in my many years of professional experience.
The measure of good governance is whether we can demonstrate that our decisions serve the people who live here.
Carson City deserves that standard. Every time.
