Veteran Ranchos board member honored for her service

Bev Page wore an elegant light-blue blazer with a white corsage on one lapel for her last meeting of the Gardnerville Ranchos General Improvement District on Dec. 5.

The vivacious 80-year-old, one of several Carson Valley veteran board members ousted by recently-enforced term limits, couldn't hold back tears when district attorney Mike Rowe read a resolution recognizing her 28 years of service to the board.

"Bev's record of public service is unparalleled," Rowe read. "Bev has taken a leading role in resolving many of the complex and emotional issues facing the board in her 28 years of service as a trustee."

Page was elected to the board in 1980. At the time, she was deputy treasurer for Douglas County, a position she kept for 17 years.

"In 1980, the district was very small," she said. "For my campaign, I sent out 50 hand-written postcards."

Page recalled when in 1987 the board hired a young, hip district manager named Bob Spellberg.

"He rode here on his motorcycle from Ely," she said. "He presented his resume, and he's been here ever since. I am proud to have served with him, and just proud of what we've done."

Throughout her tenure, Page has served as board chair, vice chair and treasurer. She said the most difficult issue she faced was when in the late 1990s more than 400 houses using septic tanks had to be switched over to the district's sewer system due to environmental concerns.

"It was a hard decision," she said. "People were irate, but it had to be done."

The commemorative resolution emphasized Page's leadership in the matter.

"[Page] was instrumental in resolving the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection concerns about septic tanks in the district, and with her steady influence the board was able to successfully persuade homeowners to hook up to the district's system," the resolution stated. "As part of this effort, Bev was instrumental in the district's provision of low interest loans to homeowners who could not otherwise afford the septic to sewer conversion."

The resolution also mentioned the development community's nickname for Page, "IVAN," or "I Vote Absolutely No."

"In a thorough research of its records, the board determined that Bev actually voted yes on one development proposal in 1982," the resolution stated.

Page laughed at the nickname.

"It's been so important to me to live here and see the community grow," she said. "I'm proud of the way we have grown outwardly."

Page is also proud of keeping her constituents' taxes low.

"We haven't raised the ad valorem tax for 10 years, and people are grateful for that," she said.

Page considers Mitch Drive Park another great accomplishment.

"I'm proud of saving 22 acres and keeping that for the park," she said.

She had some advice for her recently-elected replacement, 38-year-old David Bourne.

"Take care of the community, not just the street you live on," she said. "Do your homework. Believe in yourself and your decisions."

Page said that public service can be rough.

"Sometimes you have to make decisions without a lot of public input, then after the fact, people complain," she said. "Once in a while, someone will come in and thank the board, but a lot of times the only people that come to the meetings are those who disagree with you."

Page said she'll still attend the board meetings and will give board members pats on the back when needed.

"But I'll come in and give them the old stink eye when they're not doing what I want," she joked.

Page plans to remain active in the community. She said she is not ready to retire.

"I still had it in me to go another four years," she said. "But when one door closes, another opens."