Veteran manager to leave Town of Gardnerville

Gardnerville Town Manager Jim Park sent out an e-mail Friday afternoon confirming that effective March 19, he'll be leaving the town he's served for a decade.

"It has been a privilege and honor to have served Gardnerville for nearly a decade, and to have served local government in Nevada for nearly two and a half decades," he wrote in the e-mail. "The accomplishments and challenges we have shared together over the past years have been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me, and I will forever cherish the memories and the people here that I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with."

Park said he's taken a job with the Defense Contract Management Agency, the Department of Defense agency that works directly with defense suppliers "in support of our nation's military services and freedom."

"This new role has special meaning to me as our son Robert begins active pursuit of his military career with the United States Army," Park said. "I wish you continued success in all of your pursuits, and thank you for allowing our family to have enjoyed being a small part of Gardnerville and Douglas County. May God bless."

In August 2009, despite a glowing evaluation by town board members, Park refused a 6-percent pay increase, which prompted Sharkey's Casino to publicly thank him on their marquee.

"I am not comfortable accepting a merit increase or one-time bonus," Park had written in a memo to board members. "The economic climate is not appropriate for this."

During Park's tenure, downtown Gardnerville has seen some significant changes and aesthetic improvements, from the dedication of Heritage Park to decorative street lighting along Highway 395.

In a previous story, Park said the one thing he's proudest of is the emergence of the Main Street Gardnerville program, the nonprofit organization that's been drumming up revitalization projects like the Thirsty Third Thursday wine walks.

"I love what I do," Park said. "I love the community. It's the best small government in the state of Nevada because of the people. They make my job easy."