Comstock hires events coordinator

Virginia City's first events coordinator was funded when Storey County commissioners approved the final $10,000 of the position's $28,000 salary.

According to Steve Muniz, executive director of the Virginia City Convention and Tourism Authority, officials have been talking about creating the position for years.

"It's been very difficult to coordinate between all of the offices and the various factions who hold events here," he said.

After a number of applicants were interviewed Kristen Hamlet, administrative assistant for the Virginia City and Gold Hill Chamber of Commerce, was chosen.

"She did her job extremely well and went beyond her job description to benefit the community," said Chamber President Sandy Olinger. "She is an energetic, fair-minded 'people' person who knows and respects people in all walks of life. They in turn know and respect her and Kristin has an excellent business background that will serve her well."

The Chamber of Commerce is providing $8,000 of the salary and the Tourism Authority is providing the balance. The position is funded for one year.

In other business, commissioners approved the purchase of four new brush engines for the Storey County Fire Department. Purchased for $1,068,000, the fully equipped engines will be used for everything from structural fires to medical emergencies and traffic accidents. They will be replacing brush engines in the Virginia City Highlands, Lockwood, Six-Mile Canyon and Virginia City. The older equipment will be kept for wild land response, according to Storey County Fire Chief Gary Hames.

The prototype of this engine was developed through the California Department of Forestry and Pierce Fire Manufacturing of Ohio, one of the oldest in the country, will be building the trucks. Delivery is expected in nine months and the money will come from the equipment acquisition budget, according to Hames.