This opinion column was submitted by Neoma Jardon, executive director of the Downtown Reno Partnership.

I’d like to start with sincere thanks to all who reached out with warm wishes and kind words after my resignation from the Reno City Council to begin my new journey as the executive director of the Downtown Reno Partnership.  The decision to leave was not easy, but the opportunity to elevate Nevada’s only Business Improvement District aligned directly with what I had been building towards as a council member for 10 years.