Evening to celebrate county's successes

Douglas County Manager T. Michael Brown hopes residents have 90 minutes they can spare Monday to join him and other officials for a State of the County celebration at the CVIC Hall in Minden.

"We've invited the community to come together to celebrate our rich history and the successes we've enjoyed over the last 10 years," Brown said.

"The love of our land, the love of our community continues to be the driving force behind all the future planning efforts of our county," he said.

Brown said the address will be unlike previous presentations.

"Usually, we talk about county finances or the difficulties we're currently experiencing," he said. "This time we're focusing on the very big picture from the prospective of our history - what we've experienced in the last 10 years or so."

He said county officials decided to use the evening to focus on economic, environmental, social and cultural successes in Douglas County.

"We're having a celebration and a thank-you. We're telling people we really appreciate them being in our community," Brown said.

He expects a large turnout from the business community, but issued an invitation to all residents.

"It's for everybody. That's why we're having it on a special night outside the regular commission meeting with a unique format. There's a social hour with light refreshments that have been donated by various businesses," Brown said.

Retired State Archivist Guy Rocha will offer introductory remarks at 6:30 p.m. focusing on the county's history.

Commission Chairman Michael Olson and Vice-Chair David Brady are to discuss the county's progress over the past decade, followed by Brown's look at current projects and future plans.

"Guy Rocha is a wonderful speaker," Brown said. "He makes history fun and engages the audience. It's our intent that the audience remember and learn the background of our county.

"We hope to show that the value of those folks who came before us are still very much alive in our community today, and how much we keep those values alive in the future. The beauty of our land, the things people loved way back when are what we keep alive today," Brown said.

Event sponsors include The Business Council of Douglas County, Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce, Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce, Town of Minden, Tahoe Ridge Winery, Marketplace & Bistro, Sharkey's Casino, and The Record-Courier.

The Douglas High School Culinary Arts Class is baking cookies for the event and Douglas County Library volunteers are helping with set up.

DETAILS

2010 State of the County address, 6-7:30 p.m. March 15, CVIC Hall, 1602 Esmeralda, Minden. Light snacks will be provided with a no-host wine bar. The event is open to the public. Information: 782-9821.