Mayor Ken Tedford has been a fixture at City Hall since 1987 when he was first elected to City Council. He ran for mayor and won in 1995, a seat he has held ever since. This week, he announced his intention to run for re-election to continue the work he has focused on for a lifetime.
“I have a goal every day of looking to see how to make things at the city better,” said Tedford. “It keeps your rudder straight. It keeps you in touch with the people you serve.”
Tedford has a focus on seniors, the youth, and veterans. Still, as a local businessman, the owner of Tedford Tire, supporting local businesses was ingrained in him by his father early on. He also believes in a strong police department that serves the community, keeping crime low, and he has created a culture of service throughout the city staff.
“I want a clean city, and they all know,” he said. “I want Maine, Williams, Taylor driven every day. A clean city starts with me and works down, and we all know, and it is a culture. Those are quality of life issues that are very important to citizens.”
The mayor and council have focused on several projects this past year, including significant improvements to A Street, Sherman, Broadway, Whitaker, Rancho, and Carson Streets. Other projects have included improvements to Oats Park with the splash pad and the pickleball courts, ongoing support of the Fallon Youth Club, and the very innovative installation of the ice-skating rink during the Christmas season.
Driven by his strong support of local businesses, Tedford believes efforts to draw people to the community pay off in dividends. “The whole plan of how we do tourism is focused on economic development and strengthening our local businesses. It’s supposed to come full circle. The ice rink was a draw, to bring people to the community to go shopping, not just for gas and hotel rooms.”
Tedford referenced economic data related to events at the Rafter 3C or youth sports that show a significant increase in spending during the timeframes of the events. “When we used to do the football league, we had local businesses that had their shelves shopped clean, with families killing time, spending disposable income. Everything we do is tied to business.”
Mayor Tedford has regularly faced opposition during his re-election campaigns but continues to be successful against his challengers. Because Fallon is a General Law city, the mayor has authority under the Nevada Revised Statute to serve as the Executive of the City. As long as there is no office of the City Manager, term limits do not apply.
In 1993, during a tumultuous period at city hall, the city manager was terminated. Bob Erickson, who served as mayor then, reorganized the city, eliminating the city manager position.
Paraphrasing the minutes of that meeting and the comment made by Erickson at the time, Tedford explained that Erickson was “no longer willing to delegate my responsibility when I have by statute the obligation as mayor to carry out this function.” When he was elected in 1995, Tedford continued serving in that role as the Executive of the City, acting as Chief Executive Officer. “It really provides for continuity of government,” said Tedford, “which is one of the things businesses and the community look for.”
The mayor does not vote, providing for the separation of powers, and thus does not legislate. He does have veto authority and appoints, with confirmation by the council, the executive staff, including the Clerk/Treasurer, the Police Chief, and the judicial branch as the Municipal Court Judge.
Tedford is currently working with the council and city staff to increase the water tank capacity at Rattlesnake Hill and install a dewatering press at the sewer plant. There are plans to continue improvements to local streets and upgrades to Laura Mills and Burntwood Parks. Tedford is also focused on bringing businesses to the Business Park off Harrigan Road.
There is a note taped to Mayor Tedford’s desk, in his own handwriting, worn by time, that simply says, “Critical thought, Careful analysis.” They are words he lives by and a reminder during meetings in the mayor’s office of how Tedford governs.
“You grow with every decision,” he said, “I think I reflect how these people feel if they were here with the knowledge of the decisions you need to make. I love doing this. I love these people who elect me.”
Filing for open offices opens March 4 and closes March 15. More information is available at the office of the County Clerk, 423-6028, or the City Clerk, 423-5104.
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