New County Commission to be led by veteran Woodbury

Adrienne Packer

Tuesday, Jan. 5, 1999 | 10:25 a.m.

The County Commission picked up Monday where it left off last year: taking pictures, hugging and offering kind words to one another.

In December, tears were shed for Lorraine Hunt, who left the commission to become the state's lieutenant governor, and for County Clerk Loretta Bowman, who retired after a half-century with the county.

On Monday, the giddy atmosphere continued. Newcomer Dario Herrera was sworn in along with incumbents Erin Kenny and Myrna Williams. The Democrats took their oath before District Judge Gene Porter.

And longtime board member Bruce Woodbury was elected chairman for the first time since 1989. Woodbury took over for Yvonne Atkinson Gates, who had control of the board for four years.

Woodbury congratulated Hunt, commended Gates and welcomed Herrera.

"We look forward to the energy and enthusiasm he'll bring to the board," said Woodbury, who has been a county commissioner for nearly two decades.

Herrera said his first day was easier than he expected; the agenda was lighter than normal.

"I was disappointed it was a light day," Herrera said. "I wanted to hit the ground running."

Before commissioners recessed to shuffle seating assignments and have their pictures taken, Woodbury told residents he believes the commission will be more unified.

"People expect us to try to pull together," Woodbury said. "We'll have differences of opinion and strong, healthy debates. We have to remember, it's nothing personal. People get emotional; that's understandable."

Woodbury emphasized the county doesn't need mandates from Carson City but instead can work closely with municipalities to solve the valley's problems.

"We're committed to work together to have real cooperation and progress," Woodbury said.

While commissioners have known that Woodbury would be elected chairman and therefore have had time to prepare, business people who approach the board regularly had a more difficult time adjusting to the change.

Until they become accustomed to addressing Woodbury, the commissioner may have to get used to being called "madam chair."