OPINION: Jim Novak
The most important word in Incline Village General Improvement District is improvement.
The results of the upcoming trustee election will determine everything from property values to quality of life for Incline Village and Crystal Bay residents. We should all thank the six candidates for their willingness to serve; however, willingness to serve isn’t a reason for support. Plans, experience, background, character, and skills are.
Let me begin by stating I attended the forum at Incline High School and followed up with the online feed. Secondly, I have attended a number of board meetings in person and online. Currently, I serve as the board President for two Incline Village HOAs, Treasurer for a third, and member of the IVGID Capital Investment Committee. Professionally, I enjoyed a three-decade career as a Senior Officer of a Fortune 100 company, managing thousands of employees in my division.
Back to the key word – improvement. That’s what it is all about. All of our recreation facilities improve everything from quality of life to property values in Incline Village. Just google the effect of recreational facilities on communities and learn their value. Everyone needs water facilities to
survive, but it’s the recreational facilities that set us apart from every other community in the basin.
My observations are as follows. It’s the people and the facilities that make Incline Village and Crystal Bay a great place to live.
- Unfortunately, we have under-invested in our facilities. It’s a fact, and blaming anyone is a waste of time. Focusing on the future is what’s needed.
- Unfortunately, we have under-invested in our IVGID staff. It’s the people that make the difference.
My observations on the candidates summarized below are based on my observations regarding character, skills, leadership, background, and strategy.
Candidate Case, thanks for running but as you stated in the candidate forum after candidate Homan’s opening remarks, he was a tough act to follow. Perhaps you should visit with some of the other candidates to determine the best way to serve the community.
Candidate Wright, you have campaigned and run for election on numerous occasions and have never been elected. Perhaps the voters are giving you a message. We need leadership – not a watchdog.
Candidate Swenson, it’s all about character. I listened to the exchange at the town hall a number of times. When a resident quoted you about your public comments at the August 6th board meeting, you followed up a few minutes later repeatedly saying she was a liar and people like her should be removed from the community. This is not the temperament, maturity, honesty, and decorum the community should expect from a trustee. Sorry, you lost my vote.
Trustee Tonking has been the voice of reason on the board often in the minority, but always on top of the issues. She demonstrates great analytical skills and has a well-rounded background. She deserves a second term.
Candidate Jezycki is a developer of people. At the forum, she showed her great grasp of the situation and with her HR skills and background of building organizations, she is an ideal candidate to help IVGID reach new heights. She deserves our vote.
Candidate Homan, we are truly fortunate that someone of his caliber is willing to offer himself up to serve the community. His background is top-notch in every way. He will definitely get the financial reporting issues resolved and more importantly, lead IVGID toward a successful future. He deserves our vote.
One of the candidates I don’t support stated in a public meeting that the three I do support can’t get the job done, it’s too hard. I offer a quote from Walt Disney, “I like the impossible, the competition is smaller.”
These are my observations. Agree or disagree, it’s your right, but please vote.