ROP director announces bid for county commission

The executive director of Minden-based Right of Passage, a private company for at-risk youth, has announced his candidacy for District 4 of the Douglas County Commission.

Upper Kingsbury resident Lawrence Howell, 43, said Thursday he will be running against incumbent and past chair Nancy McDermid, who confirmed last week she's seeking reelection for a second term.

Howell is the current vice chair of the Douglas County Planning Commission and has served on various other community boards including chair of the Douglas County Parks and Recreation Commission, China Spring Youth Camp, Tahoe Douglas Chamber of Commerce, Barton Hospital Health Foundation and the Keep Improving Douglas Schools bond committee. He is also a reserve member of Douglas County Search and Rescue.

"I'm an 18-year resident of the county," Howell said Thursday. "The county is at a crossroads and in a position we've never seen before. I have demonstrated my leadership abilities on several boards and volunteer organizations and have led a private company through one of the country's worst economic times. In doing so, I've maintained more than 800 jobs for people, with benefits, through a strong strategic plan and, with leadership, hit a budget and expanded services at a time when the economy is not doing well.

"I care about the county," he said, "and I want to lead the county when it needs it most."

Howell, a Republican, said he's been registered to vote in Douglas County since he moved here 18 years ago. In 2004, he ran against Cindy Trigg for a seat on the Douglas County School Board, but he lost that bid.

Because McDermid is also a Republican, a primary may be necessary if a candidate from a different party files for the same seat.

"I'm not running to run against Nancy McDermid," Howell said. "I'm running to provide the county with a leadership angle they don't have right now."

Working for Rite of Passage for the past 20 years, Howell said he has plenty of experience with private-public partnerships.

"I'm a trained mediator to deal with government but run a private company," he said. "I want to bring a new skill set to the county commission."

As a commissioner, Howell said he would ensure a balanced budget for long-term stability, develop a "balanced" economic revitalization plan, provide honest, open and ethical conduct, provide an avenue for more private-public partnerships, enhance public safety and related services, and lastly "maintain the Douglas County quality of life that we citizens all enjoy and love."

Howell and wife Heather have two children, 8 and 11, who attend St. Theresa's Catholic School in Lake Tahoe.