Vaughn Hartung was acknowledged Wednesday night for his six years of service as chairman for the Citizen’s Advisory Board at the bimonthly CAB meeting. Hartung was presented a certificate of appreciation and a job on the Washoe County Planning Commission by county commissioner Robert Larkin.

"We have always enjoyed working with Vaughn, it will be a pleasure to have him on board the planning commission," Larkin said, while presenting Hartung with his commemorative plaque.

Hartung humbly accepted the commemoration and put the spotlight back on the CAB.

"It has been my pleasure to work with such an even-keeled group on this board," Hartung said. "I hope you know I won't be a stranger and look forward to working with you in the future in my new capacity."

Hartung noted that he had learned a lot while on the CAB, but that he had a lot more to learn regarding his new position on the planning commission.

"We're all neighbors, the way I see it, and we're all in this together," Hartung said. "But, I am a rookie on the commission and don't plan on rushing in with a foolish agenda."

Steve Grosz was elected to be Hartung's successor and will begin his second term on the CAB as chair. Max Bartmess was re-elected vice-chair and is beginning his third term on the CAB. Both positions were voted on unanimously Wednesday.

"I want to be a little more aggressive in expressing issues that we see to the county," Grosz said, regarding his approach to being chairman in the future.

Grosz immediately received an opportunity to begin his aggressive lobbying with the county. Jim Herman, a transportation services coordinator for the city of Sparks, voiced concerns about the lack of connectivity for pedestrians and non-automobile traffic between neighborhoods in the Spanish Springs area.

"It doesn't make sense not to have access between neighborhoods and shopping centers, or between the community center and the library," Herman said. "Kids should not have to ride their bikes on Pyramid Highway to go between subdivisions or to get to Eagle's Landing (shopping center)."

Grosz, along with the rest of the present members of the CAB, expressed concern.

“We will start working on this and see what needs to be done to make things happen," Grosz said.

Larkin and Hartung also expressed concern, offering suggestions of relevant contacts regarding the development issue.

The CAB will review Herman's issue and discuss it at the next CAB meeting, which is scheduled for Sept. 9 in the community center at Lazy 5 Regional Park, 7100 Pyramid Highway.