News

Shortly before being sworn in, Washoe sheriffelect Chuck Allen greeted an infant constituent.

Good and bad news

Nevada has been called the third most dangerous state in the union.

That reading came from 24/7 Wall Street, an investment site that issues occasional quality-of-life rankings of the states. It has previously ranked Nevada’s education system second worst in the country and in a health ranking, it found that “In general, the likelihood of not having health insurance is much higher for those without a high school diploma. In Nevada, due to a poor graduation rate, the chances of this happening are significantly worse.”

In the current ranking, 24/7 Wall Street used the 2013 FBI Uniform Crime Reports, the most current.

Though Nevada’s violent crime rate dropped 2.9 percent between 2012 and 2013 to 591.2 incidents per 100,000 Nevada residents, other states saw more rapid declines, which left the state in third place.

The FBI report has been under criticism during the current spate of interest in police killings for the inadequacy of its numbers.

GOP two-step

“An interesting joust between Republican leaders is being played out in advance of the Feb. 2 start date of the 2015 Nevada Legislature.

On Dec. 2, the Republican members of the Nevada Assembly met to sort out the changes after Washoe Assemblymember Ira Hansen announced he would decline the job of speaker, to which he had been nominated by an earlier GOP caucus.

With Hansen reportedly holding enough proxies to determine all the posts up for election or nomination, John Hambrick was designated as speaker, and Michelle Fiore was elected Republican floor leader.

Note that we used different terms for Hambrick and Fiore— designated and elected. That’s because speaker is a public office, and floor leader is a party office. Thus, the Republican caucus has the power to elect its floor leader, but the Nevada Assembly elects the speaker. Hambrick is a nominee for speaker who has not yet been elected, but Fiore assumed her post immediately.

Jump ahead a few steps. After wrangles over whether Fiore, whose private business has had chronic problems with the tax people, should be chair of the Assembly Taxation Committee, Hambrick claimed to remove Fiore as floor leader. The problem is that Hambrick wasn’t anything except a member of the Assembly yet. Fiore was both a member of the Assembly and floor leader. It’s not clear where he would get the authority to do anything, much less remove her from her party post. Fiore was elected by the Republican caucus, so presumably it would take action by the caucus to remove her.

She sent him a letter: “You need to know that a sizable portion of the members of the caucus still consider me the majority leader, as do I. … Your reasoning that you can remove me as Majority Leader is faulty to say the least. Following that reasoning to its logical conclusion means you could remove Assemblywoman Kirkpatrick as minority [Democratic] leader.”

He responded in his own letter, “That is absolutely not a logical conclusion! The minority leader is the leader of the opposition party. The Speaker is the leader of the majority party. The majority FLOOR leader garners all of its responsibility at the will of the Speaker.”

Hambrick’s problem is that he is not yet speaker. That election won’t be held for another month. Fiore, on the other hand, is already Republican floor leader. Even if Hambrick were already speaker, that would give him authority over Assembly posts like committee chairs but not over party positions. Those would still be elected by the GOP caucus.

So Hambrick, who is not yet speaker, has tried to remove Fiore as floor leader, a job she already has. She refuses to go. Stay tuned.

—Dennis Myers

A morning of democracy

There’s little news coverage where it still works

In the state capital, a governor’s inaugural emphasized cooperation and good will while Republicans and Democrats circled by Dennis Myers each other with suspicion, plotting partisan advantage. In Reno on the same day, however, the swearing-in of new local officials was less formal and more genuinely friendly. Chuck Allen, a Republican, was on hand to take the oath to replace Mike Haley, a Democrat, as Washoe county sheriff, but the party thing hardly mattered, Allen said.

“In general, we have worked really well.”

Kitty Jung Washoe County commissioner

“We’ve been working with Sheriff Haley and his staff members since Nov. 17,” Allen said. “We’ve been provided our own office, and the transition’s worked very, very smoothly.”

That was all the more heartening because not only was Haley of the opposite party of Allen, but Haley had also endorsed Allen’s opponent, who was Haley’s undersheriff. But then, Allen was bucking the local establishment, both Republicans and Democrats. Allen and his opponent, Tim Kuzanek, were both Republicans and when Kuzanek got into the race he already had the support of Haley, the mayors of Reno and Sparks, the county district attorney, and two former sheriffs. Allen overcame all that firepower.

Among those being sworn in at a county commission meeting in addition to the sheriff were judges, public administrators like the county clerk and assessors, local improvement board members, and members of the county commission itself. The meeting began as it always does—with statements from community activists who attend every county commission meeting. It’s a form of informality that wasn’t seen in Carson City.

The first activist to speak, as he often is, was Sam Dehne, who then informed the incoming officials of his record of accomplishment. “See that clock up there?” he asked. “When I arrived there was no clock.” He was referring to a three-minute countdown clock that keeps the activists to their allotted time. In case the officials were not impressed by his getting the clock installed, Dehne further informed them, “I have brought Tesla to Reno.”

One of the activists complained that the local oath of office was longer than the presidential oath (43 words longer, more than twice the length of the presidential oath) yet it never pledges loyalty to the public, only to institutions.

Once that part of the meeting was completed, an assembly line of officials were put through their oaths. Nevada District Judge David Hardy first swore in three county commissioners—the newly reelected Kitty Jung and newcomers Jeanne Herman and Bob Lucey.

Then the agency heads like Allen were sworn in. Following that came members of local governing boards like the Sun Valley General Improvement District. Their campaigns rarely get covered but they have to run for election like all the others.

When the ritual was completed, Jung took Herman’s hand and led her to her seat at the commission table, a gesture that helped establish a feeling of friendliness.

Climate

Jung, like Haley, is unusual in being a Democrat. Most Washoe sheriffs and most county commissioners are Republicans, and Jung has been the only Democrat on the commission. She said this has sometimes led to friction but not the level of dysfunction seen in Congress and Carson City. In addition, she said, things got better two years ago when Republican commissioners Vaughn Hartung and Marsha Berkbigler were elected. They shared some of her community values and concerns.

“They came in with open minds and very supportive of what you would call traditionally Democratic values such as extending library operating hours, which we had cut severely, expanding parks and recreation, which we had also cut severely. So while sometimes it is difficult … in general, we have worked really well.”

She said a good example was medical marijuana, which the commission implemented without calling a moratorium on the program first, which many other local governments did, much less outlawing the voter-mandated program, which Lyon County did.

However, the cooperative attitude of those Republicans has spurred rumors that doctrinaire Republicans might target the two commissioners. While the dysfunctional brand of partisanship may not have reached the local level yet, that doesn’t mean it can’t. It

Photo/Dennis Myers

took awhile to reach the Nevada Legislature, too.

For Allen, there is also the difficulty of taking office as sheriff at a time in the history of law enforcement that few would describe as tranquil. Allen said he is aware of the climate of mistrust and ready to deal with it.

“And I think a lot of it has to do with you as a leader, no matter what organization you’re from—how you engage your community, how you engage the public and get out in front and explain your actions. I think it’s easy for anyone in life to look at negative situations and how those grow, and I think that’s important for any leader to be more involved, to be more connected, to have the rapport and respect of Washoe County. … And I’ll do that with a lead-by-example philosophy.”

But that kind of verbiage led to disappointment when some local leader Allen had sought a meeting with Marcopa County, Arizona, Sheriff Joe Arpaio during the transition. At a meeting the next day of the Nevada Women’s Lobby, for instance, some attendees expressed their dismay.

The newcomers to local bodies like the county commission will discover that all the television cameras and press coverage will disappear fast. Few daily news outlets staff the county commission as a full time beat, instead showing up when something really juicy happens, usually involving conflict, particularly conflict with the city of Reno, such as fire services or tax allocations. Ω

Newly re-elected County Commissioner Kitty Jung signed her oath of office.

“I think that’s important for any leader to be more involved.”

Chuck Allen Washoe County sheriff

Yes. I have health insurance.

Sign Up Now through Feb. 15

When it comes to health insurance, the answer should always be, “Yes.” Enroll in a health plan through the new Nevada Health Link and depending on your income, you could receive help paying for some of your insurance costs. You can purchase certified health insurance plans that are all high quality, regardless of the amount you pay. You can’t be denied, even if you have a previous health condition.

Visit NevadaHealthLink.com to find an income-based plan that’s right for you and your budget. In-person help is available. Sign up now through February 15.

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

All current Nevada Health Link customers must re-enroll.

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It’s over

In downtown Sparks at an early hour, city workers in very cold weather removed the holiday decorations. They go up shortly after Thanksgiving and come down shortly after Christmas. A city spokesperson said about $2,000 is spent annually replacing older decorations as their electrical wiring or parts fail.

NevadaHealthLink.com

Itʼ s happening in !

ACTIVITIES

NEVADA SMALL FARM CONFERENCE The Nevada Small Farm Conference is a premier gathering of regional farmers, ranchers, businesses, students, federal and state agriculture agencies, food policy advocates and many others involved in high desert agriculture. Workshops and sessions will address a wide variety of topics relevant to the needs of regional farmers and a diverse range of those connected to Nevada agriculture. $105 before 12/31. Additional fees for pre-conference workshop and Friday night mixer. Price increases after 12/31. Th, 1/22, 10AM-4PM, F, 1/23, 9AM-4:30PM and Sa, 1/24, 9AM-1PM. All ages welcome. Info: Ann Louhela, (775)423-7565 x2260 or ann. louhela@wnc.edu. JA Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave.(775) 3563300

BIKINI BULL RIDING DJ and Bikini Bull Riding Competition. Su, 5 & 9PM through 12/28, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300 CROCHET CONNECTION Learn to crochet or share tips with other crochet enthusiasts. Th, 4-5:45PM, free. Spanish Springs Library, 7100A Pyramid Lake Highway. (775) 424-1800 FOUR SEASONS BOOK CLUB The book club meets the fi rst Saturday of each month. Call to fi nd out each month’s book title. First Sa of every month, 1-2PM, free. Sparks Library, 1125 12th St. (775) 352-3200 CONVERSATION CAFE The drop-in conversation program meets on the fi rst Saturday of each month, 2-4PM, free. Sparks Library, 1125 12th St. (775) 352-3200 CLICKETS KNITTING GROUP

This class is for knitters of all ages and levels. Yarn and needles are available. First and Third Su of every month, 1:30-3PM, free. Spanish Springs Library, 7100A Pyramid Lake Highway, Spanish Springs (775) 424-1800

PERFORMANCE AND MUSIC

SHEEP DIP SHOW The 51st annual fundraiser show exposes the follies and foibles of the Truckee Meadows in an evening of skits, songs and dance performed by area locals along with members of the media and even a few politicians. The show raises funds that support charitable activities in the Reno/Sparks and Greater Northern Nevada Area. F, 1/9, 8PM and Sa, 1/10, 8PM, $35. JA Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300 or janugget.com THE BUNKY SCHOLL’S BAND Danny Butler’s Birthday Bash F, 1/9, 9PM, no cover. Elbow Room Bar, 2002 Victorian Ave. (775) 356-9799 DANWISE AND FRIENDS A free monthly comedy show featuring local talent. The event is BYOB and limited beer will be provided free. Third Th of every month, 8PM, starting 1/15. Free. The Generator, Inc., 1240 Icehouse Ave.

LIVE MUSIC Sa, 9PM and Su, 3PM, no cover. CBQ, 1330 Scheels Dr. (775) 359-1109 LINE DANCING LESSONS Line dancing lessons from the Gilley’s Girls from 6PM-8PM. Enjoy DJ Trey from 6PM-mid. W, 6PM through 12/31. No cover. JA Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300 DJ RAZZ Come dance the night away to DJ RAZZ! You can even karaoke if you like. Ladies Night every Friday night. Drink Specials all night. F, 9PM. Paddy & Irene’s Irish Pub, 906-A Victorian Ave. (775) 358-5484 LOCALS NIGHT Locals Night, DJ. M, 5PM through 12/29, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300 CLASSIC ROCK NIGHT Classic rock night with DJ. Tu, 5PM through 12/30, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300 LADIES NIGHT & TOUGHEST COWBOY Ladies Night w/live music and Toughest Cowboy Competition. DJ breaks until midnight. W, 7 & 9PM through 12/31, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300 ACOUSTIC WONDERLAND This is a singer-songwriter showcase. Come down to Paddy’s and bring your acoustic instruments. Sign-ups are at 7:30PM and music begins at 8PM. Drink Specials all night! Th, 8PM, no cover. Paddy & Irene’s Irish Pub, 906-A Victorian Ave. (775) 358-5484 LIVE MUSIC & LATE NIGHT DJ Live music with late-night DJ. F, 5PM-2AM & 7-11PM through 12/26, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300 LIVE MUSIC & LATE NIGHT DJ Live music with late-night DJ. Sa, 5PM-2AM & 7PM-midnight through 12/27, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

KARAOKE

KARAOKE WITH BOBBY DEE Tu, 8PM, no cover. Morelli’s G Street Saloon, 2285 G St. (775) 355-8281 KARAOKE Th-Sa, 9PM, no cover. Bottom’s Up Saloon, 1923 Prater Way (775) 359-3677