Minden welcomes new town manager

by Sheila Gardner

sgardner@recordcourier.com

It took less than a minute Wednesday for the Minden Town Board to change direction with the hiring of its first manager.

To a round of applause, Roger VanAlyne was approved unanimously by the board after a six-month search.

VanAlyne will be paid approximately $81,000 annually, plus benefits.

Thursday was his official first day on the job.

"I was ready to start today," he said Wednesday, "but the board told me to wait until I was officially confirmed."

VanAlyne, 53, has been a Carson Valley resident for 14 years. He was Washoe County Public Works deputy director until his job was eliminated last June.

"Tomorrow, we're going to lock him in a van and take him to every bit and piece of this town," said Chairman Robert Hadfield.

Hadfield said VanAlyne had been spoken of favorably by his former colleagues in Washoe County.

He was selected from 49 applicants.

In other action, the board:

--Turned down a request from Minden Rotary to sell Tahoe Creamery ice cream at the summer Minden Park concert series. Town officials said they had no problem with Rotary, noting the organization built the Minden Gazebo. Officials were concerned if they authorized Rotary to sell ice cream, they would open a "Pandora's Box" from other groups wanting to be vendors at the park.

--Tabled a request until April from Douglas County Clerk-Treasurer Ted Thran to reserve the CVIC Hall for several dates for early voting in the 2012 primary and general election.

--Granted a 12-month extension to C.O.D. Casino for design review, special use permits, major and minor variances for the proposed casino and parking lot. Project representative Rob Anderson said there were "a lot of competing factors - not the least of which the local, and national economy - slowing things down."