Mayor Ken Tedford Jr. administers the oath to Kelly Frost, who was selected as the new councilwoman on Tuesday to replace Rachel Dahl.
Kelly Frost was selected by the city council and Mayor Ken Tedford Jr. Tuesday night to fill the vacant seat left by Rachel Dahl last week.
Frost replaces Dahl, who had been on the city council for the past five years and resigned on March 12 to become executive director at the Churchill Economic Development Authority.
Frost and Susan Savala were the only two residents to submit applications for the position. Savala ran twice against Dahl, 2009 and 2013, for a seat on city council but was unsuccessful.
Both Frost and Savala gave a presentation on why they wanted to be considered for the position.
It was a unanimous vote for Frost who will be representing Ward 1 where she has lived for 19 years.
Frost was born and raised in Churchill County and graduated from Churchill County High School. She attended the University of Nevada, Reno graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. While at UNR, she worked in the university archives and special collection in the library.
“I learned the importance of preserving institutional history,” Frost said. “I interned in the Nevada legislature and learned about the legislative process.”
Frost said once she graduated from UNR, she returned to school and became certified to teach. Her first teaching job was in Battle Mountain.
According to Frost, she once took a year off from teaching and worked at her parents’ convenience store where she learned about the challenges small business owners face.
Nearing completion of her 22nd year of teaching at Churchill County High School, Frost teaches government and Advanced Placement Government.
Frost said she has been interested in public service for some time. She said she has thought about running before when the council seat was open but didn’t because she knows and respects Dahl.
“I thought this was the perfect opportunity,” Frost said. “It’s a great way to find out more about the council, and I’ve always been interested in community service.”
Frost said she believe she will bring many great aspects to the council.
“I think I’m fair. I can look at problems from different angles and try to find a solution for them,” Frost said. “I’m level headed and I have quite a bit of knowledge about Fallon. I’ve learned a lot about the history of Fallon through classes offered at the museum. I’m able to listen and make a fair and balanced decision. I feel I will have to learn a lot and I’m willing to do that. I will work hard and put in the time to do the research and the reading. I’ll do everything that it’ll take to be a strong councilwoman.”
Frost is married to Russ Frost, who is a third-grade teacher at E. C. Best Elementary School, and they three children, one in eighth grade and twins in fifth grade.
Tedford was in a unique position as he was able to vote for the candidate who would fill the empty seat on the council.
“Our ordinance states that we have to fill this position before the next council meeting,” Tedford said. “According to NRS 226225 this is the only time that the mayor of the city votes. Often times I’m not a member of the council and our ordinances of the city of Fallon doesn’t allow me to vote.
“However, section 2.04.090 reflects NRS 266225 which says any vacancy occurring in the city council by death, resignation, removal or otherwise must be filled by the mayor and city council at the first regular meeting after the vacancy when the city council and the mayor, who has the same voting power there on as the city council member, shall by a majority vote elect some person possessing the requites qualifications who shall hold the office until the election and qualification of the successor at the next general city election.”