WHAT’S Page4-H xx February/March 2002 TURNS 100 2 HAPPENING? 4 Calendar of Be a Volunteer Capital Events for Sept/Oct LIBRARY NEVADA FALL Cty DAY EVENTS 3 FocusFocus Celebrate Nevada6 Getting kids to read VOLUME SEVEN NO. 5 • SEPT/OCT 2002 Capital City Style! AN INFORMATIONAL NEWSLETTER FOR RESIDENTS OF CARSON CITY Survey results focus on leading issues of service, growth, funding Eight out of every 10 Capital City residents responding ceptable,” said Berkich, “and it’s the leading reason we to a bi-annual survey scored Carson City staff and continue our economic development efforts toward departments as helpful and courteous, results show. The increasing the City’s sales tax revenues.” questions, completed and returned by 53% of the The sales tax receipts account for 43% of the 752 residents who received a survey by City’s annual operating budget to fund basic City mail, measured service satisfaction, services, like parks and recreation, library, and funding and growth issues, and also sheriff and fire protection. Generating addi- solicited comments about individual tional sales tax revenue is key to support- concerns, observations, or recom- ing increased services necessary to serve mendations for City leaders. We see these a growing population like Carson City. “We see these results as a With sales tax revenue a significant report card on the quality of results as a and essential portion of the operating service levels being provided budget, City planners continue to to the community,” said City “report card on emphasize long-range economic Manager John Berkich. development projects that can pro- “We’re also impressed with the quality of vide increased sales tax dollars, year the level of survey participa- in and year out. tion and believe it shows that service levels residents want to express their being provided to Community development thoughts and their opinions planning key about how we’re doing as a City the community, government. We learned a lot Several respondents expressed con- about where we’re doing well and cerns about growth-related issues and the areas that need additional atten- potential negative effect on key quality of tion. life standards, like this comment: “I am a 26- Among individual comments, issues of year resident of Carson City and the city’s devel- traffic, growth, zoning, redevelopment and opment is of concern to me.” budget priorities were plentiful. “Planned development, quality of life, and adequate resources for the future,” the City Manager explained, Sales tax, not property tax ”“are the foundation of the City’s recently completed eco- Some of the comments reflect this same philosophy: nomic development plan. It’s our job to make sure those For instance, comments made it clear there is over- elements are in the forefront of the community’s future “Open space is important to me. Keep up the good whelming opposition to any suggestion that property tax- development.” work on that.” “Save us some sagebrush.” “I think the based initiatives fund increased City services and facili- “The goal is not growth,” Berkich added, “but rather river walk was a great idea. I would support more ties, regardless of population growth. planned development. Growing the wealth of the com- parks.” Holding property tax rates — among the lowest in munity and improving the health of the City’s govern- Other issues, that generated several personal com- Nevada — down is a commitment often expressed by ment is essential to our future and to providing the high- ments were traffic, the freeway progress, and transporta- City leaders and managers. est level of services while maintaining low property tax tion. “We certainly hear within this survey and from every- rates for our residents.” One question, closely split 54% in favor, 46% against, day comments that increased property taxes are unac- asked if the 5 cents per gallon fuel tax should be main- CONTINUED ON BACK PAGE Page 2 Sept/Oct 2002 Carson City’s Community Shared Vision Statement Proud to be Nevada’s State Capital, Carson City will perpetuate its heritage, cultural diversity and natural setting by providing a well- planned community for people of all ages and backgrounds. We will work together under an open government process to guarantee the Ward 2 best possible environment of public safety, a strong economy, and an effective infrastructure. Quality education and recreation will pro- vide our citizens with a sense of well-being and personal freedom. Carson City will continue to be a leader in effective local government. Ward 1 Kings Canyon Road Ward 3 Ward 4 N W E Ray Masayko Robin Williamson Jon Plank Pete Livermore Richard Staub S MAYOR WARD 1 WARD 2 WARD 3 WARD 4 Hilerbrand, Tamara and Richard Knight, Marta Magistrali, Jean Moltz, D.D. Monroe, HOW TO CONTACT Jean Opperman, Molly and Paul Sinnott, Julie Taylor, Beth Theuret, Linda PUBLIC SERVICE DEPARTMENTS Thompson, and Marena and Roger Works! Thanks also go to teen leaders Amy Artman, Board of Supervisors ................................887-2100 Horticulture Happenings Ashley Bauer, Rebecca Clark, Corey ............................................887-2100 Bohner, Vince Cramer, Ian Knight, City Manager FALL PRUNING AND GARDEN MAIN- Adrienne Lipka, Tessa Miller, Maura TENANCE DEMONSTRATION: Building Department .................................887-2310 O’Neill, Jessica Poole, Desiree Rogers, Everyone is welcome to come to an open Annamarie Theuret, Traci Trenoweth, Kristy Community Development..........................887-2180 workshop presented by University of Williamson, Larissa Works, and Tawny Nevada Cooperative Extension Master Zaugg. Your efforts help us all. Recreation Division ...................................887-2290 Gardener volunteers at Cscape ...........887-2210 Demonstration Garden in Mills Park, YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE Fire Department (non emergency) September 14th at 8:30 am. Master Almost nine out of ten kids tell us that they ....887-2500 Gardeners will be demonstrating the essen- Sheriff’s Department (non emergency) would volunteer if they knew how to help tials of fall yard maintenance: everything and where they could help. Adults partner- Animal Control ..........................................887-2171 from deadheading flowers, pruning, to how ing with kids can become resources to get to deal with unwanted sucker plants, and things done. Health Department....................................887-2191 water issues. Public Library............................................887-2244 Dedicated adult volunteers can be instru- MASTER GARDENERS TRAIN AGAIN: mental in facilitating youth community Utility Department.....................................887-2355 A new group of volunteers begins Master service projects, from helping youth with Gardener training September 10 through ideas for projects and working with other Senior Center............................................883-0703 October 10. These dedicated students of adults in community service agencies, to horticulture will soon be sharing their new shuttling youth and supplies to worksites. knowledge with their community, teaching Adults can set a powerful example for CAPITAL CITY FOCUS workshops, answering calls, testing soil, and young people through service to the com- Planning Our Future Together working with youth gardeners. There may munity. still be room in the fall program, so if you want more information call Master Why adults are into helping kids volunteer: CCF is published as a service to the residents of Carson City. Gardener coordinator Wendy Hanson at All city departments contribute material to this newsletter. 784-4848 or email her at • To teach the values of service and [email protected]. Editor: Liz Teixeira community involvement. Coordinated from the Carson City Manager’s Office. Youth Happenings • To build self-confidence and responsibility. VOLUNTEERS- The Backbone of 4-H Comments on the newsletter, format and content are welcome. Volunteers are the backbone of 4-H! • Shared concern about issues that affect their Please write to: The 4-H program is built on volunteers who community and the world. City Manager’s Office donate their time, talents, and energy to help 201 N. Carson Street youth learn new skills and become better • Partnering across generations to build citizens. We wish to thank our active adult Carson City, Nevada 89701 meaningful relationships and to and youth volunteers for all they do to assist make a difference. or call: 887-2100. our local youth in their journey to adult- Additional copies of CCF are available at the hood. Thank you Maureen Baker, Diane How do adults get involved? Contact Jill City Manager’s Office. Barndt, Becky Beisenstein, Susan Bohner, Tingey, 4-H Program Coordinator at 887- Pam Borgman, Al Clark, Laurel Consalvo, 2252 or email at [email protected] Susan Dunt, Charlie Fisher, Denise Gazell, Eileen Herrington, Deborah and Robert HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY 4-H! Sept/Oct 2002 Page 3 CARSON CITY LIBRARY Celebrate Your Freedom to Read “Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech.” Benjamin Franklin This era of post 9-11 provides an opportu- nity to energize our exploration of what it means to be an American as we define our role in today’s global society. Your public library, essential to a democracy, allows free access to information which can help navi- gate this journey of exploration. Banned Books Week, September 21-28, 2002, celebrates our freedom to read during a time dialogue is essential. This nation-wide event highlights the importance of free speech and free expression. Banned Books Week reminds us of the freedoms we enjoy as Americans and how important it is to pro- tect them. According to the Office for Intellectual Freedom, over 6,364 reported challenges requesting a banning of a book have been made. Many challenges for banning go unre- ported. Books such as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou and Calendar of Events Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger use diffi- cult issues to teach important lessons. Books can teach about tolerance, self-worth and for Carson City Library individuality; qualities we should want to understand and personify.