Railway commission to add Washoe, Douglas members

DAYTON - The agency responsible for reconstructing the historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad will be taking on a new look.

Tricounty Railway commissioners agreed in concept to begin the process of including Washoe and Douglas counties as members of the governing board. A new name will also be recommended to better represent the changing membership.

Attorney Michael Rowe said bill drafts for the 2000 legislative session must be ready by July 1 and told the board a final motion must be made at their May 18 meeting. He will have a proposal ready for discussion and approval at that time.

Commission Chairman Janice Ayres said " I think we are in agreement it would benefit us to expand and become more of a regional project. By including Washoe and Douglas counties we would have more clout with the Legislature and with the business community."

Ayers said she has received a verbal commitment of legislative support from Assemblyman Joe Dini.

Board member and Story County Commissiner Chuck Haynes fully supported the move and offered "Western Nevada Rail Road Commission" as a more representative name for the project agency.

According to Ayres, Washoe County Commissioner Jim Galloway and Douglas County Commissioner Don Minor have already been appointed to the Northern Nevada Railway Foundation, the fund-raising arm for the project.

Carson City Mayor Ray Masayko, one of Carson City's two representatives on the five-member railway commission, strongly suggested Carson City relinquish one of their positions when the change is made. Lyon County and Storey County each have one representative, and one member is appointed from the V&T Historic Railway Society.

"I would urge and argue to have just one elected official from each county on the board," Masayko said. "Carson City should give up one seat. That is what is the fair thing to do and I can't support any other approach."