Silver Dollars and Wooden Nickels: Something is fishy in Carson Library search

The Nevada Appeal’s Silver Dollars and Wooden Nickels feature recognizes achievements from the capital region and, then warranted, points out other acts that missed the mark.

WOODEN NICKEL: When an established deputy makes more money than his or her new boss, something is wrong. Yet that’s exactly the situation involving incoming Carson City Library director Sena Loyd and current interim director Tammy Westergard, who’s set to resume her previous role as deputy director once Loyd advances to her new post Jan. 3. That role involves running the library, yet one has to wonder who’s fully calling the shots when Westergard has more experience in the role and will make $73,782 to Loyd’s $70,799. One thing is for sure: Loyd’s selection from a field of five director candidates certainly benefits Westergard, who gained job security and a familiar would-be boss via Loyd’s selection. Something is fishy.

SILVER DOLLAR: Kudos to the Board of Supervisors for its handling of the search for a replacement for retiring City Manager Larry Werner. The board voted recently to not allow the interim city manager to apply for the permanent post, as that might suggest to outside candidates that the system is rigged and discourage the most qualified ones from applying. Deputy City Manager Marena Works decided to take the interim job, removing her from consideration for the top post. City manager is one of the most important jobs in Carson City, and the board made the right call by ensuring outside candidates won’t shy away from applying.

SILVER DOLLAR: Longtime Carson High School photography teacher Brian Reedy shared some sad news with his students Wednesday: That it was his last day for a while. Reedy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2011 after he began suffering its symptoms three years earlier, and he decided to take a break as simple tasks continued to take ever-longer to complete. Reedy, who has taught at the school for 15 years, has been named one of the nation’s most innovative educators as part of the self-driving-awareness Project Ignition as well as Noon Rotary Teacher of the Year.

SILVER DOLLAR: In October, our state posted its lowest unemployment rate in nearly five years. The state added 7,400 jobs in October after losing 8,800 in September, according to the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation. Last month’s jobless rate was the lowest since December 2008; let’s hope the trend continues.