Letter to the Editor: Rebuttal to Douglas County Commissioner's "mudslinging"

Fellow Douglas County residents, now you see what I have been dealing with the last couple of years regarding Commissioner Danny Tarkanian’s focus on destroying my long-time property management business to help a rich and powerful friend. Instead of trying to defend his unethical behavior toward fellow commissioners that I pointed out in an editorial last month, Tarkanian has decided to throw as much mud as he can toward me to see what sticks but his libelous insults don’t hold up when exposed to the truth.

He starts his tirade by characterizing Glenbrook renters as people who don’t care about the community, who abuse neighbors, and who trespass. There is no proof of this. There are no police reports or Glenbrook security reports, in short, he has nothing to back up this claim. I have been renting homes to Glenbrook families and friends for over 30 years, and dozens have become Glenbrook owners, for many, it has become a yearly tradition as they have a deep connection to Glenbrook and the people that live here.

He then states I am part of some wealthy and powerful group. Not true. I have held down three jobs during most of my adult life to be able to live at the Lake. I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given, but anyone who has seen me hauling garbage on a summer weekend in my 2008 Ford pickup knows the truth.

He continues with what he thinks is an insult by saying I have joined with, “other property managers, realtors, casino owners, and VHR homeowners who will say and do anything to keep their pot of gold.” I don’t know any casino owners, but if he means folks joining together to fight for our property rights while still supporting a strict, common sense, enforceable vacation rental ordinance, I’m proud to be a member.

He then states that I have continually lied to the public and that there have been many complaints about my renters. Not true. A quick call to the VHR program director will prove and county records will confirm that there has never been a complaint filed with the county regarding any of the houses I manage. None. This clean record didn’t happen by accident, my office is in the middle of Glenbrook and I work hard to make sure the houses are well-managed. Isn’t that what we should be encouraging, a local, licensed manager who is available to take care of issues before they become a problem? Check my record, you will see the truth.

Tarkanian then states that nine residents of Glenbrook sent emails to the Board of County Commissioners before the last meeting outlining violations. The posted public comments for January and February show, a total of nine comments against VHRs in the Tahoe Township, none of them about property inside the gate of Glenbrook or about me.

He states that I manage a home that sits on a cliff and does not have a dock or beach access. That is also false, the house in question does have a private pier and also a buoy.

Tarkanian also talks about renters trespassing on private beaches, but he is wrong here too. The Glenbrook Homeowners Association rules that were adopted in 1980 and amended in March 2021 clearly state that renters are allowed to use GHOA common areas including beaches. The renters know because the beach rules are provided in each rental home as requested by the GHOA.

Commissioner Tarkanian should research the facts before he makes false statements about a long-time Douglas County resident, business owner, and taxpayer and save the mud-slinging for his next political campaign.

- Kevin Kjer
Glenbrook Rental Program, LLC