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Neutra unbound

New York Times/April 21 2002: “In a move that has stunned, outraged and saddened admirers of modern architecture, the city of Rancho Mirage, Calif., recently approved the demolition of an important 13-room house designed by Richard Neutra in 1963. Neutra, who died in 1970, helped introduce the International style to America, redefining architecture in the 20th century with a series of remarkable residential pavilions. His houses are now cherished in the same way as Frank Lloyd Wright’s—as testaments to a uniquely original vision and a particularly pivotal moment in design history.” Reno has done it differently. Two rare Neutra buildings (most of his structures are in California) are disappearing from Reno not through demolition but CHURCH FINE ARTS BULDING by being smothered. The recent addition of glass boxes to the west side of the Church Fine Arts Building at the University of Nevada, Reno, has further minimized Neutra’s original design for that building. And farther south, his design for the Centennial Coliseum—now the Reno Sparks Convention Center—seems to have disappeared as completely as its name. Additions to the building appear to have swallowed it up, obliterating its exterior from view.

Born in Vienna in 1892, Neutra was trained there, and also in Switzerland and Wisconsin. He arrived in the U.S. and took citizenship in the 1920s. In 2011, Architectural Digest said, “Neutra (1892–1970) was a prophet of clean, crisp modernism, and his houses, most of which were built in California, have inspired countless architects and emboldened preservationists in an area of the country notoriously quick to raze landmarks. And why not? As Time eloquently observed, ‘Their beauty, like that of any sea RENO SPARKS CONVENTION CENTER shell, is more than skin-deep—practical, not pretentious.’” One of Neutra’s structures became familiar to movie fans when his Lovell Health House played the role of the home of “Pierce Patchett” in the movie L.A. Confidential.

Not all liked Neutra’s modernist designs, but their importance was recognized and his two Reno designs were once a point of local pride. He was so influential that Reno structures he did not design were sometimes cited by the National Register of Historic Places as Neutra-influenced. For instance, of the nowdemolished Union Federal Savings and Loan building at Court and Sierra streets, built in 1959, the National Register reports, “The UFS&L has been compared by architectural historians to the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan designed by Richard Neutra and Robert Alexander in 1958. The USF&L’s most distinctive details were brises-soleil, first employed in modern architecture in 1933 by Le Corbusier on the Maison Locative Ponsik in Algiers. Brises-soleil are exterior vertical panels that move with the sun and provide heat or shade to the interior of a building.” The USF&L was torn down to make way for a courthouse expansion.

The Rancho Mirage and the Gettysburg Cyclorama in Pennsylvania, both demolished, are listed as “lost” Neutra structures. It’s not clear whether obscured but still existing structures fall into that category.

—Dennis Myers

Second place

Krolicki calls for governor/lieutenant governor ticket

Brian Krolicki, who stepped down as Nevada’s lieutenant governor last month, is by calling for a fundamental change Dennis Myers in the way the office is elected. He believes the governor and lieutenant governor should be elected on a ticket together instead of each being elected independently. Krolicki had legislation drafted to accomplish the change, and it will be up to his successor, Mark Hutchison, whether to pursue it with the office’s endorsement. “I just think it’s prudent and as I look around the country I find it to be a good management practice,” Krolicki said.

“It is terribly important for the lieutenant governor to have the complete trust of the governor.”

Brian Krolicki Former lieutenant governor

Half the states elect their governors and lieutenant governors jointly. In another 18, each is elected independently. In the remaining states, succession to the governorship is through other officials, such as secretary of state.

Krolicki believes if the two officials were elected together, it would lead to better working relationships and would prepare lieutenant governors better for a governor’s death or resignation. He relates the idea to how businesses operate.

“If you’re a Fortune 500 company, shareholders expect to have clear lines, which our situation does, but also of grooming and familiarity,” he said. “It is terribly important for the lieutenant governor to have the complete trust of the governor.”

“If there is a disjointed relationship or a transition with an individual who is not apprised of the state policies, I think that person misses a step in the state transition,” Krolicki said. “I think the public should have an expectation that that person [the lieutenant] is regularly in the room and has the confidence of the CEO, and that’s the governor.”

He also said the public should be able to expect “awareness and training and capability immediately if the governor has a bad day.”

Whether two candidates on the same ticket would foster trust is far from clear, however. A lot would depend on how they—particularly the lieutenant governor candidate— got onto the ticket. In the federal model, the presidential candidate chooses his or her running mate in a convention setting, and the convention delegates usually ratify that choice. Thus, the vice president is dependent politically on the president.

But at the state level, nominating conventions are a thing of the past in Nevada—they were last held in 1908. In other states, candidates for governor and lieutenant governor often run independently in their party primaries and then go onto the ticket together. Thus, the lieutenant governor candidate is not dependent on the candidate for governor, and they are often uncomfortable running mates.

In one case in Nevada, in 1982, the Democratic candidates were running independently, Richard Bryan for governor and Robert Cashell for lieutenant governor. Shortly before the election, fullpage newspaper advertisements mysteriously appeared around the state urging votes for Cashell and for Bryan’s Republican opponent, Robert List. As it happened, the two Democrats—Bryan and Cashell— were elected, but the newspaper ads generated suspicion between them. They had a very tense working relationship after taking office.

Krolicki’s proposal would prevent such machinations, since the option of splitting tickets in the way the ads proposed would be eliminated. But he acknowledges that how to comfortably match up two candidates on a ticket in a state with primary elections has yet to be worked out.

“I think that is something that—should this bill have any legs—that is a point that needs to be discussed,” he said this week.

Brian Krolicki and Stephanie Tyler posed at the  2013 Nevada Legislature. Twenty-three years  earlier, as young political aides, the two were  among five people in a small plane that crashed  on a campaign trip in Churchill County, killing  one and injuring the others. Tyler later served as  a Republican senator from Washoe County.

Tobacco initiative

His long years in office—Krolicki served as deputy state treasurer for eight years, treasurer for eight years, lieutenant governor for eight years—gave him an exposure to state government workings that were valuable to any officeholder. Now, thanks to term limits, he is carrying that head of institutional knowledge away with him, of no further use to state government.

Krolicki first came to public notice on Sept. 3, 1990. He and his employer—GOP state treasurer candidate Bob Seale—plus lieutenant governor candidate Sue Wagner and her aide Stephanie Tyler, and Seale’s wife, Judy—took off from the Fallon airport in a twin-engine Cessna 411 piloted by Seale. The plane went down a few minutes later, killing Judy Seale and

inflicting a range of injuries on the others. Krolicki crawled out and went for help.

After Seale’s election that November, Krolicki became deputy state treasurer, the beginning of a quarter century of public service that included two terms as treasurer and two as lieutenant governor.

Krolicki is one of a vanishing breed, a moderate Republican who works congenially with Democrats and has, in the past, cut into the Democratic vote. He never saw the cards fall quite his way in terms of moving to the governorship or federal office. When he was the logical Republican candidate for governor in 2010, lobbyists and other kingmakers lured Brian Sandoval out of a federal judgeship to run and froze out other candidates. In the same time frame, a possible U.S. Senate race was complicated by his indictment for misappropriating state funds and false accounting. The indictment was thrown out of court, but it ate up precious weeks of time for organizing and fundraising.

In some ways, his departure from elective office is well timed. He has three children who are approaching college age, and he speaks of his need to make some money for that reason.

But one of his biggest disappointments comes not from campaign politics but from a policy matter. On June 5, 2008, he issued a report calling for securitization of the state’s tobacco lawsuit settlement moneys—basically, cashing out the settlement and investing the money.

The proposal was given serious consideration in the Nevada Legislature, but ultimately fell victim to politics. It was approved by the Republican Senate, but Democrats in the Assembly did not want to award such an accomplishment to him, and it failed there.

“I feel today, as I felt back 10 years ago, that it was a tremendous missed opportunity to protect these moneys,” Krolicki said. “Some of them are used for smoking cessation and hindsight has shown that to be a valuable tool.”

But it is not just the smoking issues that trouble him. The settlement left the state at the mercy of smoking vagaries, with the annual amount fluctuating, which left the state unable to control its use of the money. In addition, Krolicki thought it was unhealthy public policy for the state to be in bed with the tobacco corporations.

“The state could have divested itself of the risk of being clients of the tobacco interests,” he said. “The revenues have subsequently declined, and Nevada would be receiving significantly larger amounts if we had taken our share out.”

Several years before Krolicki’s proposal, Democrats shot down another version of the same idea sponsored by Republican Assemblymember Lynn Hettrick.

Krolicki noted that government actually has more of a stake in the sales of tobacco than the corporations, because most of the checkstand cost is in taxes and fees.

“Government makes more money from each package than the industry,” he said

That is not a good role for government, he believes.

When he took office as lieutenant governor, that official chaired the state tourism and economic development commissions, an arrangement created during Cashell’s tenure. In 2011, Sandoval persuaded the legislature to remove the lieutenant governor from that role in economic development. He still holds a seat on the commission.

“I’m proud of what we did,” Krolicki said. “The lieutenant governor has primary responsibility for tourism and economic development. Tourism remains the centerpiece of the lieutenant governor’s portfolio. Economic development, which I chaired for six years, was a great pleasure.”

Krolicki has said several times that he is keeping his options open for a return to public life. But numerous Nevadans who have left elected office with the intention of returning have found that in this meanspirited political era, they preferred private life and found no reason to go back. That was the case with one of his fellow passengers on that ill-fated Cessna, Sue Wagner. It has also been true of numerous state legislators. Ω

“Tourismremainsthe centerpieceofthe lieutenantgovernor’s portfolio.”

Brian Krolicki Former lieutenant governor

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ACTIVITIES

ADULT SOFTBALL Head to the ballpark this spring and take part in the City of Sparks Spring Adult Softball program! Leagues are available for men and women age 18 and older. There are opportunities for beginners on up to tournament players and seniors. The comprehensive program is one of the largest per capita softball programs in the country offering the following leagues: Men’s 1-night per week (10 games), cost: $575; Women’s (10 games), cost: $575; Coed (10 games), cost: $575; Senior Softball 50+, 60+, 65+, 70+, 75+ and Women’s 50+, cost: $400. April through June at Golden Eagle Regional Park and Shadow Mountain sports complexes.Register by 2/21 at the Alf Sorensen Community Center, 1400 Baring Blvd., Mon-Thu, 7AM-7PM. and Noon6PM on Sat. Info: (775) 353-2385 or email sportsinfo@ cityofsparks.us 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 first Saturday of each month. Call to find 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 first 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 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

PERFORMANCE AND MUSIC

MICHAEL BECK BAND Th, 1/29, 8PM, F, 1/30, 8PM and Sa, 1/31, 8PM, no cover. JA Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300 HALESTORM BENEFIT CONCERT Halestorm will be featured at Lotus Radio Corp.’s benefit concert for the Good Shepherd’s Clothes Closet. Tu, 2/3, 1PM, Tickets can be purchased at Famous Dave’s BBQ in Reno. Musician Rehearsal Center, 581 Dunn Circle (775) 355-9494

BREW HAHA Sierra Arts Foundation holds its annual brew-tasting event and fundraiser. F, 2/13, 8PM, $50 general, $60 VIP. JA Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300 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