Cathleen Allison/Nevada Appeal
Gary Schulz, a former owner of the Reno Bighorns, has announced he will run for the Ward 1 supervisor seat in Carson City which will be vacated by Robin Williamson.
With one daughter now a freshman at Penn State University and another who will graduate from Carson High School next year, Schulz, 51, felt the time was right.
"I have the time and the background to make a full-time commitment to the residents of Carson City," Schulz said.
A 16-year resident of Carson City, Schulz graduated from the University of Arizona in 1981 with a degree in business administration. Prior to retiring, he worked for the Thrifty Drugstore chain as a drug buyer.
His wife, Dr. Susan Doberneck, is a pathologist at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center.
Schulz said he helped bring pro basketball to the Reno area, and held a minority ownership in the Reno Bighorns. The franchise was bought out by the owners of the Reno Aces. Schulz has since remained with the Bighorns in an advisory capacity.
Schulz called the proposed Nugget project "very attractive and ambitious," but said he has some reservations.
"My main concern is with the library, digital media lab and business incubator serving as a focal point. I don't know of any city that considers the public library as an engine for growth. The digital media lab and business incubator should be done in conjunction with WNC," he said.
"The focal point (of downtown) should be a combination entertainment venue/events center. Carson City needs a building that comes alive after 5, like Reno. Musicals, theater, cultural and culinary events - that's what brings people downtown," he said.
Schulz said he is a strong advocate for fiscal responsibility.
"I'd hate to see this project cripple the operating budget of the other city departments," he said. "We need to make Carson City a destination place instead of an impulse stop. We'll do that with events, and we can build upon those."
He pointed to the city's big soccer tournaments in the spring and softball tournaments in the summer as a couple of examples of events that have been successful.
"They bring people to town to spend their money, stay the night and do a little shopping," he said.
He also would like to be a part of helping to diversify Carson City's economy.
Schulz joins podiatrist Sean Lehmann in the race for the Ward 1 seat. Williamson, who is term limited, has said she is running for state Assembly.