Elko County Board of Commissioners
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Elko County Board of Commissioners Commissioners Demar Dahl Grant Gerber Glen Guttry Charlie Myers R. Jeff Williams Elko County Manager Robert K. Stokes STATE OF NEVADA ) COUNTY OF ELKO ) ss. NOVEMBER 5, 2014 The Board of Elko County Commissioners met in regular session on Wednesday, November 5, 2014, at 1:30 p.m., in Suite 102 of the Nannini Administrative Building at 540 Court Street, Elko, Nevada. There were present: County Commissioners Charlie Myers, Chair Demar Dahl Glen Guttry R. Jeff Williams NRMAC/Asst. Mgr. Randy Brown Deputy District Attorney Kristin McQueary Planning/Zoning/NRMAC Eleanor O’Donnell Library Director Jeanette Hammons Supervisor Planner/Zoning John Kingwell Road Supervisor Terry Lister Sheriff James Pitts Chairman Myers called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Chairman Myers led the meeting participants in the Pledge of Allegiance. 1:33:38 PM: II. COMMISSIONER GRANT GERBER: A. Moment of silence in remembrance of Commissioner Grant Gerber who succumbed to injuries he sustained during the Grass March Cowboy Express. He was finishing up his second year as Commissioner. He will be missed by all. B. Presentation of a Plaque to the Commissioner Grant Gerber family for his service on the Elko County Commission and in memory of Commissioner Gerber, an opportunity for Commissioners, Staff and the Public to express remarks honoring and celebrating his service to the Community, County, the State of Nevada and our Country. ELKO COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION NOVEMBER 5, 2014 PAGE 1 Travis Gerber thanked the Commission for their service with his father because he knew they were his friends as well as colleagues. He noted the Commission was the first public office his father had ever run for because he was a public advocate for thirty years for private property rights and public access. He stated with his father’s passing many people have asked him if he would step up and fill his shoes. He believed his father’s shoes were too big for any of them but he was taught how to think, act and advocate for private property rights, principles of the Constitution, and to love our neighbors, God and Country. Travis Gerber wished to see movement for the transfer of public lands act in Congress which was the main thrust in all their petitions. Zach Gerber stated his father was a compassionate person and loved the people of Elko County. He stated his father often disagreed with people on different issues but it did not change his father’s respect for the people. He noted his father loved people from different religions, different walks of life and different nationalities. He noted one of his friends was Manuel Couchum and read into the record the short article written by Manuel Couchum. (Copy of article was attached to the minutes). Zach Gerber stated Dad would want them to continue his legacy on. He stated in the last few days they have heard how their father influenced people to have more integrity, standup and to be honest and freedom fighters. He hoped the County Commission would carry the torch on. Lenore Gerber (Grant’s Wife) thanked the people of Elko County for giving Grant the opportunity to serve as County Commissioner. She said Grant truly enjoyed the service he gave to the County. She called him her freedom fighter because Grant was driven to fight for freedom and loved this nation. Lenore Gerber stated Grant loved the founding fathers and the principles they stood for. Gil Hernandez, Elko VFW, thanked the Commission for honoring Grant Gerber. He stated Grant served his country in Vietnam, Special Forces. He commented Grant Gerber had joined the VFW and had been in the Honor and Color Guard several times. Gil Hernandez presented a picture of Grant Gerber while in the Color Guard and a picture of the services for Grant at the ceremony to the family. He stated this man has done so much for his Country and left doing what he stood for. He noted Grant Gerber enjoyed his life and continued to fight for his fellow countrymen. John Carpenter said he and Grant did so many things together starting with Kelly Springs. He commented when they closed the road in Jarbidge Grant was with him all the way in opening the road. John Carpenter stated he and Grant Gerber had lots of adventures including the pilot project on sage grouse. He asked that the Commissioners help him keep that program going. He had spoken to the Wildlife Services and the State was putting all their money over into the western side of the State. John Carpenter stated they need funding for the raven ELKO COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION NOVEMBER 5, 2014 PAGE 2 control. He thanked the family for sharing Grant with him and thanked the Commission for honoring Grant. Roberta Skelton stated she had some serious, long discussions with Grant when he was on the Commission. She felt they should carry on his concepts and get the public lands back in the hands of the State of Nevada. Assemblyman John Ellison stated he was here representing himself and Senator Pete Goicoechea who was in a caucus hearing. He stated Assembly Bill 227 was passed and accepted. He noted 17 counties researched what the State needed. Assemblyman Ellison stated they would finish the course they started and there was a BDR which they would encourage all the legislators to sign on to take it to Washington. Assemblyman Ellison read a Proclamation into the record in honor of Grant Gerber. Assemblyman Ellison informed them there would be a sage grouse hearing held in Salt Lake City in December and Congressman Amodei and Senator Heller plan on attending. He stated eleven western states were asking for ten years before they implement any restriction upon the sage grouse. Chairman Myers stated it was a sad day for the Commission because Grant meant a lot to us and was a special person. He referred to an issue ten years ago when a conservancy group wanted the Commission to approve the sale of a portion of the Ruby Mountains. He stated Grant Gerber informed the Commission upon the proposed sale and the Commission rejected the proposal. He stated Grant Gerber was an easy person to have fun with and referred to him as the “junior Commissioner”. Commissioner Myers spoke of his respect for Grant Gerber and appreciated his friendship and service to the County as County Commissioner. He thanked the family for allowing Grant to share his time with the Commission. Commissioner Guttry stated they all talked about his passion and he agreed Grant was very passionate for what he did for the County. He stated Grant taught them about tenacity, conviction and most of all giving of himself without any personal gain. Commissioner Guttry stated he would miss Grant’s quick wit, humor and sharp mind. He first knew Grant in 1989 when the SnoBowl was formed and Grant helped them get their non-profit status. He stated they all appreciated him being on the Board. Commissioner Williams stated he had known Grant for over 50 years. He believed everyone saw Grant as an activist focused upon public lands, sage grouse, etc. He displayed a picture of Grant standing with his brother-in-law and cousin over a deer. He stated Grant was one of the best guides when they hunted on the ranch in Starr Valley. Commissioner Williams stated Grant always had a smile on his face, a good testimony and did the things that he needed to do. He stated everyone was happy to be around him and included in his ELKO COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION NOVEMBER 5, 2014 PAGE 3 activities. Commissioner Williams told them of a story when Grant Gerber informed him he was going to law school and they trapped to raise extra money for his schooling. He noted Grant for most of his life has worked for nothing because every time anybody had a particular problem who was fighting the government or had other issues Grant would work pro bono. Commissioner Williams noted Commissioner Gerber was always concerned about someone else and especially concerned about his family. He saw how well his children spoke at the funeral of what their father and mother had taught them and recognized the most important things were not being an activist, not what we do upon public lands, but what we do with our family in our own home. Commissioner Williams expressed his consideration to Lenore and the family members. Commissioner Dahl had known Grant since they were boys and felt Grant Gerber was one of a kind. He stated they kidded each other about being old and called him every day on his route to Washington. He commented Grant had sent a picture of himself after the fall in Kansas. He agreed with Lenore that Grant was driven and called him all hours when he had an idea. Commissioner Dahl stated Grant put the Jarbidge Shovel Brigade together and coaxed him into being the President of the Brigade. He noted not everyone liked Grant because he was an activist but Grant got things done. Commissioner Dahl commented Grant was a good honest person and Grant understood the connection between freedom and being able to control access to property and the natural resources. MOTION: Commissioner Williams moved to approve a plaque to the Commissioner Grant Gerber Family. Commissioner Guttry seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The Commission presented the plaque to the family and retired Commissioner Gerber’s name tag. Commissioner Myers thanked the Gerber family for joining them this afternoon, thanked VFW for their participation, and thanked the public for their comments in honor of Grant and Assemblyman Ellison’s presentation of the Proclamation.