Identify a new vision for Douglas County's future

Mitch Dion's Guest Opinion in the June 27 edition was quite provocative. We need more of that in this neighborhood. If I understood correctly Mr. Dion's main points were that Douglas County leaders are incessantly wrapped around the axle focusing on money and residential growth. They have not yet defined a clear, prosperous and high quality future for us all to rally around and work towards. This, despite so many hours and so much anguish spent on the recent master plan which yielded a lot of pages but no compelling vision. Mitch challenges us all to identify a radically new vision for the long term future of Douglas County and then make it happen. I wholeheartedly agree.

What has happened over the past 10 years and continues to be the modus operandi, is squabbling between "big money" and the regular citizens. County politicians and staff seem to be frozen in the headlights and unable to provide meaningful leadership beyond some kind of acrimonious "refereeing." County staff has generally supported developers, often opposed the citizens, and has continued to cry about funding shortfalls. This is not problem-solving and this is not leadership.

Look, Douglas County is part way through a massive revolution from a 19th century farming community to something radically different, which I haven't even seen defined. And no-one is at the helm. Where are we going? What is the vision for 20 years down the road? The new master plan certainly offers few clues. This wouldn't be so bad if the current trajectory was OK - but it isn't. We are stuck between the past and the future. Our destiny is in the hands of developers who may or may not take us where we want to go. Who can blame them - they have no guidance.

While local government and the rest of us should be involved and supportive, I believe the local business leaders are the key to a prosperous new future combined with high quality of life. These are the folks who can apply the resources to take us in a new direction, based on a strong potential for return on their investment. The business rewards will need to outweigh the risks, and the vision must be widely concurred by most of us. A strong dose of courage, cooperation, and passion are also necessary Ð but this is normal, and America has always demonstrated these qualities. Only then can we start pulling together to define and achieve a great new future. Allow me to suggest just one potential new and exciting direction.

Douglas County has a unique and un-exploited opportunity to build a vibrant economy around the incredible set of natural attractions that surround us. Having traveled the world, I can attest that nowhere is better equipped with natural and man-made resources. Sure, we already have a tourist industry, but it is mediocre and lackluster. Where are we on the world stage? If you've got it, flaunt it. I foresee widespread opportunities for growth to world-renowned status, instead of the current "me too." This would be as minimally invasive as growth can be, and provide an anchor to attract other compatible industries based on new-found notoriety and quality of life.

You see, quality of life is not really about residential growth rate. As Mr. Dion inferred, it is about the totality of the future vision. Housing growth is but one small dimension of that, so let's roll up our sleeves and widen our horizons.

I urge all interested folks to begin a new initiative with a clean sheet, an open mind, and as much creativity and passion as possible. Business leaders will need to join with local government and existing tourist businesses as well as new faces. And I would enlist community leaders such as the SGI folks. If you need inspiration or a sense of what can be achieved, just study Queenstown, New Zealand. They have transformed a sleepy small town at the end of the earth into the world capital for extreme outdoor sports in just 20 years or so. It is an amazingly vibrant place that has largely retained its natural character - an inspiring story, and we can do similarly. How about it, business leaders?

-- Jim Herd is a Gardnerville resident.