New leadership for hospital, parks boards

It's that time of year when Carson City advisory committees turn themselves over to new leadership.

The Carson-Tahoe Hospital Board of Trustees recently elected Tom Metcalf as their new chairman.

John Simms will take over the reins of the Parks and Recreation Commission from commissioner Larry Osborne.

Trustees are elected and parks commissioners are appointed by city supervisors, but both boards serve as important links to the community.

A two-year board veteran, Metcalf takes over leadership from Hospital Trustee Jo Saulisberry, who served as chairwoman for four years.

"I thought I could be of some help and I wanted to do it for at least a year," Metcalf said. "The hospital is a big business. I run a business, and I enjoy the business aspects. I'm learning as much as I'm giving, probably more."

Metcalf is going to have a busy year. He was recently elected the president of the Builders Association of Western Nevada and he's running for re-election to the hospital board.

"I'm going to run for re-election the same way I did last time," Metcalf said. "I put a sign outside that my daughter painted that said, 'Please vote for my Daddy.' I put in in front of my building. It was my only campaign sign, and I saved it to use again."

Metcalf, owner of Metcalf Builders, said he hopes he can enhance communication between hospital administrators and trustees. He also sees the construction of a cancer center as one of the board's biggest challenges in the coming year. Caleb Mills takes over as the vice-chairman.

John Simms said he thought it was his turn to step up and help the parks and recreation commission.

"A lot of people have stepped up before," Simms said. "There are some challenges coming and I have some knowledge that Glen Martel steps into the vice-chairman position and Simms said he thinks Martel will be excellent help."

Both Simms and Martel said the biggest issue the commission will face this year will be the Costco/Fuji Park issue.

"Our main goal as the Costco deal moves forward will be how that interacts with Fuji Park," Martel said.

Both added that looking at relocation of Fuji Park was important, but working with all park users would be important as well.

Simms is a 15-year Carson resident and works in the city's Juvenile Probation Department as the juvenile services program coordinator. Martel is a 23-year Carson resident. He is an engineer with Lumos & Associates.