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Election 2014: Four former IVGID candidates offer reasons for running

Kevin MacMillan
kmacmillan@sierrasun.com

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Last week, the Bonanza featured quotes from three of the seven candidates for IVGID. This week, we feature quotes from the other candidates. Stay tuned to future editions for information about the primary, including extended Q-and-A profiles on each candidate.

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — While three candidates for the IVGID board are new to the political fray, the others have varying levels of experience with district operations.

Tim Callicrate is a 29-year resident and a former IVGID trustee (1997-2000). He is a self-employed pianist/vocalist and the owner of Tim Callicrate Productions. He said he sees a need to reestablish civility and camaraderie among trustees and in their interaction with the public.

If elected, he plans to work with incoming General Manager Steve Pinkerton to conduct management and compensation audits to ensure IVGID operates efficiently with the right amount of employees who are being paid appropriately.



“We, as a community, own an incredible array of facilities. Let’s take the time to truly assess each one and make certain that we are operating them in a manner which will generate success and showcase what our community has worked so hard to realize over these past several decades,” Callicrate said. “IVGID can do better in its general improvements, and Incline Village and Crystal Bay deserve greater value for what its citizens are currently paying.”

He ran for the board in 2012, finishing fifth out of six candidates for three seats in the general election, receiving 1,911 votes (14.89 percent).



While Callicrate is the lone candidate who’s served as trustee, Frank Wright arguably has the most experience in paying attention to IVGID matters.

Wright, a 37-year Crystal Bay resident, is a retired educator, author and publisher, and recently served as head coach of the North Tahoe High boys basketball team.

He also ran in the 2012 election, getting 262 votes (4.67 percent) in the primary, finishing seventh. Running in the 2008 general election for IVGID, he finished sixth out of six candidates for three seats. He also ran unsuccessfully in 2007 for the seat vacated by Bev Mapps.

IVGID has financial problems, Wright said, pointing to utility increases that equate to a 26 percent water rate hike and a 65 percent sewer rate increase for most residents over the past three years

“You can vote for me and end the wasteful spending. Or you can vote for the same good ‘ole boy and girl candidates,” Wright said. “The new candidates have stated ‘these are exciting times in Incline.’ … As a voter, what do you find exciting about IVGID losing millions each year? What do you find exciting about footing the bill for all these losses? It’s your money, and it is your choice.”

Aaron Katz is a seven-year Incline resident, and has spent the better part of his time here closely following IVGID matters, attending nearly every meeting and offering plenty of public comment and criticism of both staff work and board actions.

Katz said he has a plan that will reduce recreation fees by 50 percent over the next three years, and eliminate them in five.

Since 2000, the district’s Recreation Facility Fee have increased 143 percent ($300 to $730) — Katz said that’s equated to $75 million in losses at the district’s recreation venues because they are operated as “for profit business enterprises.”

“And last year those fees should have reduced by $85/parcel because that’s what IVGID promised in 2003 when it issued recreation bonds that were paid off last March,” he said. “When you moved here, were you told you’d be expected to finance IVGID’s poor business decisions and gross overstaffing … forever? Did you expect you’d be paying for others’ recreation? … This is the ‘IVGID way,’ and I believe it must end.”

Katz also ran in 2012, tallying 248 votes (4.42 percent) in the primary, finishing eighth.

Robert Olmer has been an Incline resident since 1988 and has owned multiple businesses and properties. He currently is president of Sierra Adventure Marketing LLC and is a former board member of the Incline Village Chamber of Commerce and former finance director for Jim Gibbons’ Nevada governor campaign.

“During my time as a resident of Incline Village, I have seen various changes to our community, both positive and negative,” Olmer said. “Over the next several months I plan on speaking with as many Incline residents as possible to find out what the important issues are to them to help improve the quality of life in our community and how best to serve our constituency…”

Olmer ran unsuccessfully in 2012, finishing ninth out of 10 candidates in the primary, garnering 233 votes (4.15 percent).

The quartet will challenge Shelia Leijon, Kendra Wong and Megan Lade for two seats that will be vacated by trustees Joe Wolfe and Bruce Simonian.

The primary election in Nevada is June 10. For the IVGID race, residents will be asked to vote for their top four candidates to move on to November’s general election.

For a full list of candidates in the 2014 election, visit http://www.washoecounty.us/voters/14filed.html.


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