Chamber conference sheds light on critical challenges

As Carson City government is reviewing and updating the 2006 master plan by interviewing residents, the chamber is concurrently planning a Critical Challenges Conference on Wednesday, April 24 inside the Casino Fandango Ballroom, to address some of the citizen concerns being expressed.

While residents focus on personal wants they wish to see come to fruition in the next 20 years, three major concerns rose to the top of the list which will be addressed by professionals in their field to allow attendees a 360-degree view of the issues providing insight into the challenges and opportunities currently being faced.

Some of the panels will crossover since one issue often begets another. The three citizen concerns identified are mental health, housing, and education. In our post-COVID world, mental health issues have become a major concern for all ages.

Children and adults alike are facing challenges not experienced pre-pandemic. Channel 4 reporter Shelby Sheehan has taken the initiative of addressing this issue publicly over the past few years and will moderate a panel to include Carson Tahoe Health CEO Michelle Joy and Kitty McKay, administrator, community and patient experience.

Also presenting will be the Carson City Sheriff’s Office Mobile Outreach Safety Team dedicated to keeping homeless and others out of the criminal justice system. This panel will shed a light on what is available to residents and what will be forthcoming.

Cost and availability in single family housing and apartments for all income levels will be moderated by Glen Martel, CEO of the Nevada Builders Alliance.

Presenting will be Christine Hess, chief financial officer of the Nevada Housing Authority, Dannett Michelini of Apartments.com, Coleman Welty of the NV State Apartment Association, and John Krmpotic, president, KLS Design Group.

The increasing challenges faced by the school district to keep kids engaged in the process of learning has been increasingly difficult since COVID. Absenteeism is at an all-time high and reading scores have dropped.

Tasha Fuson, Carson City School District associate superintendent of education, will moderate the panel to provide insight into what the state and the district is doing to engage children and parents. Christy McGill, Nevada Department of Education superintendent for education effectiveness and family engagement, will represent the state.

Carson City’s critical challenges mirror those of surrounding communities, the state, and the nation and are presented with a look to the future. The invitation is open to all.

The forum is co-sponsored by the Nevada Appeal and will be held 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $35 and includes a buffet lunch. General admission is $20. Reservations must be made prior to April 19 by calling the chamber at 775-882-1565 or by logging on to the website at www.carsoncitychamber.com.