Opinion: Why it's time to run for city council

My name is Tamara Wallace and I am a candidate for South Lake Tahoe City Council. To begin with, I have vowed to not accept the pay that comes from holding office.

In a letter to City Clerk Susie Alessi, it was officially stated that if elected I would not accept the recently doubled Council salary of almost $1,000 per month. Being a fiscal conservative, I feel being careful with taxpayer dollars should start with me.

Tamara Wallace’s campaign slogan is “it’s Time.”

I believes that the voters feel as I do.

Here is what I am not:

I’m not a past Council person who is responsible for spending too much and letting our streets deteriorate.
I’m not a former Council member who has passed on large debts like the unfunded liabilities/promises to retired employees that can’t be kept because the money was never saved.
I’m not an armchair quarterback who just got interested without putting in prior preparation and I’m not a one issue candidate.
Most importantly, I’m not a surrogate for Nevada interests.

What I am, is a person who believes that the Council should serve its community, not rule.

Community Service and qualifications:

I am an 18-year resident with extensive personal accomplishments that have all revolved around community service and leadership. I am a graduate of the Institute for Organization Management at the University of San Diego. I was a key advisor to the South Lake Tahoe Chamber in the creation of Leadership Lake Tahoe and a founder of Leadership Tulare where I was the Economic Development Director and Executive Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce. I was nominated three times for Business Woman of the Year by the Tulare BPW. During my two terms as a City of South Lake Tahoe Planning Commissioner I learned the nuts and bolts of the City General Plan.

Besides working in my church, I was the charter secretary and President-elect of the Tulare Sunrise Rotary and am Past-President of the Kiwanis Club of Lake Tahoe. My husband Duane and I believe in community service.

Included in this mission are our five children, Ryan, Miles, Allyssa, Chris and Riley, who together helped us become Kiwanis' "Family of the Year" and "Foster Family of the Year." I am also a USA Wrestling certified coach and have helped my son Ryan with coaching female wrestlers. I've also helped my daughter, “Miss Little” with putting on musicals and plays at Tahoe Valley Elementary School. I am also the proud Grandmother of Irie and Leila.

I believe in principled leadership and common sense and also see myself as a good bridge to the next generation, As a Gen Xer. I like to joke that I speak both millennial and Baby Boomer. I understand the millennial's desire for immediate change coupled with the Boomer's need to understand the mistakes and successes of the past.

For more information on my positions on the issues, I can be followed on the campaign's Facebook page. Or if you want to share your ideas, please call me at 530-545-2623.