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Opinion: Clearing up conflict of interest concerns

Judy Miller
Opinion

This opinion piece is in response to Bob Allen’s letter, “Judy Miller may have too many conflicts to serve as IVGID trustee,” from the July 28 Bonanza.

Mr. Allen, let me put your mind at ease as to potential conflicts of interest you fear regarding Board involvement in forming IVGID’s legal “strategic strategy.”

I have worked in government for over 15 years, and have served for several years on the Incline-Crystal Bay Citizens Advisory Board, so I am already well versed in ethics laws, in general, and those of the state of Nevada, in particular.



Potential conflicts of interest are commonplace in such a small community — e.g. Trustee Kendra Wong with Sierra Nevada College, and Trustee Tim Callicrate with Red, White and Tahoe Blue — but every trustee takes an oath to abide by those laws and refrain from voting or discussing matters where a conflict exists. To suggest that I would do otherwise is a personal affront.

I am the most open candidate, and my numerous opinion columns, as well as my website, my public comments at IVGID meetings and my community involvement, should give everyone a clear picture of who I am and what/whom I represent.

But beyond that, Mr. Allen may not realize that IVGID’s attorneys report to staff, not the Board, and staff makes the legal decisions at IVGID. And just to be clear, every Board member has the responsibility to keep confidential documents confidential.



I think the real reason that Mr. Allen is fear-mongering is that those who benefit from IVGID’s reckless spending, avoidance of public bidding, disregard of the majority of property owners (especially the ones who don’t live here full time) and deceitful financial reporting are threatened by someone like me who has government, as well as private sector business management experience, and is not going to just rubber stamp staff’s proposals.

I am the most open candidate, and my numerous opinion columns, as well as my website, my public comments at IVGID meetings and my community involvement, should give everyone a clear picture of who I am and what/whom I represent.

I have met so many parcel owners and residents (including many IVGID employees who provide truly excellent service, but realize IVGID’s top management is not working in the best interests of the community) who see the negative consequences of IVGID’s increasing emphasis on providing elaborate tourist amenities rather than recreation geared toward the local population.

I urge them to carefully seek those candidates who will really involve them in decision making and get the spending under control. Now that, according to Mr. Pinkerton, IVGID, a government agency, is likely the largest employer in the community, there is a huge potential block of voters who have a vested interest in promoting projects that will degrade, not improve, our quality of life.

IVGID’s unprecedented growth squeezes out opportunities for private businesses to emerge. Unless we are united in our resolve to preserve those qualities that drew us here in the first place, our community will become just another overcrowded tourist destination.

Judy Miller is an Incline Village resident and a candidate for IVGID Trustee this November.


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