K-Bull's Paula Dunn takes controls of Gardnerville revitalization

GARDNERVILLE, Nev. " Carson Valley resident Paula Lochridge, also known as Paula Dunn on the Woody and Paula Wake Up Show on K-Bull 98.1 FM, is leaving radio to take the helm of the Main Street Gardnerville revitalization program.

"I have spent many wonderful years here at the Bull," Lochridge wrote in her blog on the station's Web site. "Working with Woody has been great. I truly love and respect him... He's more like a brother to me than just a co-worker. The idea of not seeing his charming face every morning is definitely going to be tough, but the opportunities that await me with this new position are very exciting."

Lochridge starts Monday as the nonprofit organization's new program manager.

"[We] are passionate and committed to the future of downtown," said Kim Cervenak, chair of the Main Street Gardnerville board. "Paula will be an integral part of this effort and brings an excellent history of nonprofit experience, enthusiasm, and energy to the Main Street Gardnerville organization."

Gardnerville Town Manager Jim Park said Lochridge will start at about $40,000 a year, plus benefits.

"I'm hoping she stays forever," Park said. "The sky's the limit with that organization and Paula."

Main Street Gardnerville was founded in 2008 with seed money from the Douglas County Board of Commissioners and the Gardnerville Town Board. It is Nevada's only member of the national Main Street Program, which was established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the 1980s.

In opposition to urban sprawl, the program emphasizes reinvestment in town cores, the preservation of historic elements and the development of local economies from within.

The Main Street Gardnerville board, which currently has one vacancy, meets 6:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month at the Gardnerville Town Hall, 1407 Highway 395.

For more information, visit www.mainstreetgardnerville.org.