Meet the Candidate: Patrick Jarrett would like to see South Lake Tahoe come together

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Each of the nine candidates for City Council answered the same ten questions that were given to them by South Tahoe Now. For nine consecutive days the candidate's responses will be shared in the order received.

Patrick Jarrett shares his thoughts in his quest for a seat on the South Lake Tahoe City Council:

1. With recent changes in Senior Management at the City, is there anything you would have done differently, knowing what you know now? I think the ousting of the city manager was handled very poorly. Money was wasted on a consultant to tell the city about upper management and bad employee morale. We know there is a problem. We don't need and outside entity to tell us that. In the end, Nancy Kerry lost her job, but it is the citizens of the city who got the shaft. Maybe, if we actually engaged the employees and listened to their complaints we could reach a mutually acceptable solution without wasting taxpayer dollars.

2. Do you feel there is some mistrust in local government and why do you feel this way? Does this need to be changed and how do you suggest that change is made? There is an air of mistrust regarding this council. Closed session council meetings always seem to have the same result, no reportable action. This has resulted in disbelief and mistrust running rampant. This does need to change. We need more engagement between council and the community. The mayor's monthly "Let's have a conversation" is a good first step but still seems to exclude a lot of citizens.

3. Many people say there is money hidden in the City budget that can be spent on roads. What is your budget experience and where will you find money for roads? There is no money hidden in the budget for roads. An interesting fact that most people don't know is that roads are not even in the budget. The streets dept. is given $500.000 a year to continue to put a band-aid on a gushing hemorrhage. I know how to live in my own budget, but the council seems to throw good money after bad. They waste time talking about money that was granted for specific purposes seeming to try to find a way to spend it on something else. If they could draft a cannabis ordinance that made sense, we would have plenty of money for roads.

4. Do you think you must trust your fellow councilmembers? If yes, what will you do to keep trust levels in tact? If no, please explain why. Trust is highly desirable in local government. If the people don't trust the council, how can they expect anything good to come out. Too much secrecy and the sense of cronyism surround the council. I myself am an open book with nothing to hide. I know how to work as a team member for the benefit of not just the team.

5. Tell us why you should be elected. I want to be the voice for all the little people. I don't own a business, and I know what it means to live paycheck to paycheck. As I said before, I know how to live within a budget.

6. What qualifications do you have to win a seat on City Council? As for qualifications for a seat on the council, I have as much, if not more than some people on the council before they got elected. I have been an assistant manager or store manager for a few local businesses and also graduated from US Army Primary Leadership Development Course where we learned skills necessary for management and leadership.

7. If elected, what would you like to see in the City over the next four years? I would like to see the city come together like we do on the 4th of July. More community events and engagement, giving the citizen and the visitors a pleasant experience and a feeling of pride. I would like to see a council that actually listens and talks to the people about what concerns them.

8. Does the City need an economic and/or housing development department? Why? We could look into the advantages of a housing department. As far as economic development, we don't need to spend thousands of dollars, we just need more engagement with organizations like the Tahoe Prosperity Center.

9. What should be done with VHRs? If they stay, do you support a cap and occupancy cap? Do you think VHRs fit residential zoning? Should some rules of VHRs go to full-time residents too, including bear box and no parking on dirt requirements? The city council are not property managers or real estate agents. If they took a good look at the zoning before permitting we would not even be having this discussion. No, the rules for VHRs should not apply to full time residents. We already pay local taxes.

10. Do you favor a strong mayor city? No Why? I think we have a good system in place, but it only works with the right pieces in place and council members who actually show up and do their job.

For a look at the previous candidate replies:

Wendy David - http://southtahoenow.com/story/09/29/2018/meet-candidate-wendy-david-seeks-second-term-south-lake-ta...

On Monday look for replies from Austin Sass.