Smallwood to bid for District 39 Assembly seat

Gardnerville resident Barbara Smallwood is one of four candidates in the Republican race for the District 39 Assembly seat soon to be vacated by Lynn Hettrick.

A Republican, Smallwood calls herself a fiscal conservative. Property taxes are her primary concern and careful debate will lead to the best solution, she said.

"The property tax bill passed by the Legislature last session is a short-term tool, but we need to look at how we will address that issue 5 or 10 years down the road," she said. "It's a good start, but we're going to have to follow up.

"Nevada has long and short-term challenges that need to be addressed," she said. "I have the experience, vision, honesty and integrity. That's why I'm running."

A Douglas County resident since 1980, Smallwood was elected to the District 3 commission seat in 1992. She served until 1996 when she was defeated by Bernie Curtis.

Smallwood, 58, was chairwoman of the Regional Transportation Commission and helped develop the five-year road plan. She was a member of the Carson Water Subconservancy District and the parks and recreation commission.

She served on the Gardnerville Town Board before her time on the commission and as a commissioner, she worked on all three master plan committees. Her signature is on the 1996 master plan.

"I want to see the master plan continue to be implemented," she said. "The growth management element of the plan is extremely important, as is the capitol improvement plan."

Smallwood said the 10-year master plan review is a wonderful opportunity for people to voice their views.

Smallwood is retired, but once served as director of the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center. She also worked as a sales person at Joyce's Jewelry Gifts and Antiques.

She graduated from high school in Newhall, Calif. and attended many colleges, including Pierce Jr. College in Woodland Hills and Valley College in Van Nuys, both in California. She attended Western Nevada Community College in Carson City and took public officials classes at the University of Nevada, Reno.

She said she is an avid reader and likes to camp, fish and hike.

She has three grown children, all graduates of Douglas High School. Landon is in the Navy, stationed in Sicily.

Stefan is an electrician and Barrett is a securities contractor. Both live in Reno.

Susie Vasquez can be reached at svasquez@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 211.