Jake Robertson is a single dad who has lived in Fallon for a majority of his life with fond memories of “running amok” with his friends in what he remembers as a small, safe town.
“I want that for my son,” he said, “I want this town to be beautiful for him. I don’t want kids to feel like this is a place they have to get out of.”
Robertson said he sees issues firsthand at his work at the pawn shop. “I’m face to face with poverty every day, people are strung out and I just think things can be better. Money can be allocated better.”
“I know the mayor is just a figurehead, with no voice, the Mayor doesn’t have a vote, but with good community involvement, proper accountability, and more transparency the community can get involved and make things better.”
Mentioning that City Council meetings are held at 9 a.m., Robertson said it is difficult for those who are working to attend and participate. He suggests more town hall meetings and better publication of the meetings that do happen.
“We need to give people a chance to participate and let their voices be heard instead of feeling like there is nothing they can do. People don’t know where to get involved and they feel like even if they try they don’t feel like they could make a change.
According to Robertson he is concerned with what he sees as a big drug problem and thriving black market. “There are more vagrants downtown, spun out, and they need options to get clean and sober. He said he has seen this issue firsthand and knows it is possible to escape such a life. “I struggled with addiction in my late teens and was homeless on the streets of Reno. I come from a place of understanding, I’ve been in the gutter and worked my way out of it. People need something worth driving for.”
Robertson feels water is an important community issue, along with roads and parks. “The treatment plant was built 20 years ago and we are still paying for water we can’t drink, and when I look at roads and then look at the financial reports, the money is there. We need a fund for people whose cars are damaged driving on roads like Richards Street.”
He also said the recent investments in the ice rink and pickleball courts are nice but the ballpark on the east end of Stillwater Street is in horrible condition and Laura Mills Park hasn’t had attention. “Our town is growing, and we could use another park.”
Robertson is the grandson of Sharon Angle, a longtime legislator from the Reno area who served several terms in the Nevada Legislature. When he was young he would attend the legislative sessions with her and remembers how she worked hard for her constituents. “She always approached an issue by what her constituents said.”
Robertson loves the community and feels a responsibility to participate in local government. “Fallon has a ton of potential and I would like to inspire people to get involved,” Robertson said.
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