Carson City Supervisor Ward 1: Abowd says she'll bring business savvy to city governing board

If she is elected to the Ward 1 seat on the Carson City Board of Supervisors, Karen Abowd says she would like to focus on putting people back to work and securing the future of the city's economy.

"Jobs, jobs, jobs, but also a combination of elements need to be addressed. We need to create a business-friendly environment by assembling a

public/private partnership to include some of the greatest minds of this city," Abowd said.

She said she understands business needs, that she is a team player, and that she knows how to compete to help get Carson City back on its feet.

Abowd said the state is expected to implement cuts next year, which could include museums, and that there has been talk of closing the railroad museum.

"This impacts families and deals another blow to tourism and the businesses that benefit from that tourism. History is one our greatest assets, which is why I support get-back-to-work concepts like the City Center Project," she said.

Abowd believes the project has the potential to be a model of excellence.

"With careful oversight, it will attract the digital media industry to the community, and that translates to high-paying jobs for workers with spending power that will increase the foot traffic for businesses," she said.

"As a city leader, we have to be visionary. It's up to us to take care of our destiny, and education is tied to this. The knowledge and discovery library raises the bar in our classrooms, and it plants seeds for youth to connect to relevant careers that will allow them to stay here and take their rightful place in their community," she said.

Abowd said she also would like to present Carson City as a business-friendly city.

"We need to encourage businesses to come, develop and stay here," she said. "Sales tax has gone down over 40 percent in the past five years. We can't afford to just sit back and be comfortable with this. Our future is not about the status quo."

Abowd, a restaurant owner and interior designer, said she believes she could be a unifying force on the board.

"As an interior designer by trade, I'm used to bringing a variety of skilled professions together, so I see myself as a bridge builder on the board. This community needs that right now. Such great people live here that if everyone worked for the same good ... wow!" she said.

"I can't just sit here and watch the finger-pointing anymore. It's about 'let's get it done.' I'm used to communicating and listening," she said.

Abowd said she has demonstrated her leadership skills through the community greenhouse project, where she is the lead project manager, has aligned stakeholders and put plans into action.

Abowd, 59, faces former city planner Rob Joiner in the general election Tuesday for the Ward 1 seat being vacated by Robin Williamson.

She said she prefers to view the city as a complex business, rather than a bureaucracy, and will work to break free of the status quo.