About Paul Anderson

•    My Background

When I was four years old my parents moved from Lake Tahoe to Carson City to start a small business. That is where I grew up until 36 years ago, when I married my teenage sweetheart Donna. Donna’s father, Richard Iori an Army Colonel, moved to Sparks to lead the Military Science Department at the University of Nevada – Reno. 

After settling in Sparks, Donna and I moved from making minimum wage and renting an apartment to buying a home. It was here in Sparks that we raised two boys, Casey 29 and Jesse 25. When the boys were young, I realized that I had a passion for serving others. Whether it was through coaching and refereeing soccer or working at Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful events, I found great joy in doing service work.

While working in the petroleum industry, my peers throughout the state nominated me to the Nevada Board of Agriculture. Governor Gibbons then appointed me to the Board, and I entered the political arena. I found that I had the ability to listen to and work with the public, political groups and agency staff to make decisions impacting our state.

•  Why am I running?

Most of my life has been spent living, working and raising a family here in Sparks.  I love this community!  Over the past 30 years, I’ve been volunteering in various positions to make Sparks a better city. Four years ago, I determined that I could make a bigger difference by serving in public office in order to make a positive impact in our community.
 

•  Why should people vote for me?

I’ve worked as a business manager for the last 30 years, developing my business and leadership acumen. Nearly 12 years ago, I was appointed by the governor to the Nevada Board of Agriculture. The Board of Agriculture sets policy for the State of Nevada and oversees a budget of over $200 million. I am currently the Chairman of the Board and have served under governors Gibbons, Sandoval and Sisolak.  My business management experience along with my government background has prepared me well for the position of Sparks City Councilman. 

In December of 2018, I was appointed by Mayor Ron Smith and ratified by the Sparks City Council where I now serve as Councilman representing Ward 3. As a Sparks Councilman, I currently serve on the following Boards and Commissions: Washoe County Animal Services Advisory Committee, Truckee Meadows Water Authority Board of Directors, Western Regional Water Commission, Washoe County School District Capital Funding Protection (WC-1) Committee, Washoe County School District Oversight Committee for School Facilities (WC-1), Debt Management Commission, Truckee River Flood Management Authority – Alternate, Regional Planning Governing Board – Alternate & Reno/Sparks Joint Sewer Coordinating Committee – Alternate.

• What makes me the best candidate?

I have a passion to serve our community! And with my background in business management, coupled with extensive experience in government leadership, I am very well suited for the job. A vital role of a Councilmember is the ability to listen to, and, represent every part of our community. There are some that believe only a certain sex, race, faith or sexual orientation can represent their community. I do not hold to this belief. The true value of a leader is one who is willing and able to make themselves available to constituents. ONE OF MY GREATEST STRENGTHS is, listening to the ideas and concerns of others, no matter who they are. The record will show that I listen to all stakeholders and make tough decisions, based on the facts and not emotions. Not all agree with my direction, but I will make a decision without wavering or abstaining based on the facts.

• What do I see as the most pressing issues for Sparks and Northern Nevada?

As a Councilman, my top priorities have been to provide the highest level of public health and safety, no matter who you are.  These issues are more important than ever, especially during these turbulent times. Public health and safety are often thought of as our police and fire departments. Our first responders are vital to our public health and safety; however, these are only two components of the solution.

By this is I mean that public health and safety are in danger without a strong infrastructure. Many of us do not think of the correlation between infrastructure and our health and safety. If you flush your toilet and it empties into your home, due to a faulty sewer system, your health and safety are in jeopardy. If you can’t drive without swerving to avoid potholes in the road, your health and safety are at risk as well as those around you. If you are in a building, and it has not been inspected to assure safe construction, you and others are in danger of a collapse or fire. These are only a few examples of the countless areas that a solid infrastructure affects public health and safety.

Another critical component for public health and safety is a responsible budget.  It doesn’t matter whether it is in a business or government setting. During the budgeting process there are always more needs and wants than money to cover them. It is paramount that you have leaders who set aside their personal agendas and focus on what is best for the entire community. Now comes the hard part, making the decision as to how we can best serve the community with the limited available funds. As your City Councilman, I will continue to make those decisions on pressing budgetary issues that affect the health and safety of the people of Sparks.

                                 Vote 4 Paul Anderson to assure the Sparks remains the city where people want to live work and play.