Cronyism Meet D’Andrea
Invitation to Speeding in D'Andrea Private Meeting
In the bustling city of Sparks, a wave of concern has gripped the community due to the alarming rise in road accidents. The exponential growth in the city's population undoubtedly plays a role in this trend; however, the recent spate of incidents, resulting in casualties and critical injuries within a mere five-day period, has sparked legitimate calls for action.
On August 25, 2024 there was a crash involving a bicycle around 5:12 a.m. at 600 Rock Boulevard, and later the Washoe County Medical Examiner identified the bicyclist who died at the scene as 43-year old Aliaksei Dziatskou of Reno.
Then on August 30th, Sparks Police, Sparks Fire Department, and REMSA were called to a fatal crash involving a motorcycle and a vehicle at Poco Rey Drive and Wingfield Springs Road in Sparks.
The Sparks Police Department reported that a person was hit by a car on Rock Boulevard and F Street on Saturday, August 30h around 8PM. REMSA took the pedestrian to a local hospital in critical condition.
Word of a community meeting aimed at addressing the issue of speeding in Sparks was mentioned to Picon. Curiosity piqued, we sought the details and were taken aback upon learning that the gathering was exclusively reserved for D’Andrea Community Members. The air of exclusivity surrounding the event, seemingly limited to HOA members, invites scrutiny regarding its possible underlying motives, this election season.
Picon writes often about Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson and his cronyism approach to running the city. Are all Sparks City Councilmembers going to have a meeting with a whole lot of Sparks City employees who are paid high dollar salaries to talk about speeding in Sparks or is this exclusive to D’Andrea. There must be a whole lot of speeding with all those accidents in a five-day time span in Sparks, not just limited to D’Andrea.
Unveiling the players, it is a curious powerful City of Sparks ensemble that has been put together. Officials like City Manager Dion Louthan, to prominent figures such as Chris Crawforth, Chief of Police, the line-up painted a picture of a high-stakes rendezvous. Sparks Councilmember Paul Anderson, Ward 3, emerged as the master of ceremony of the event, leaving many to wonder about the rationale behind such an exclusive congregation.
Picon ponders what prompts the need for such a discreet assembly? Are the discussions surrounding speeding confined to a select few, neglecting the broader community's input? The absence of transparency and inclusivity in this initiative bears implications that demand scrutiny. Also, at what cost to Sparks taxpayers in employee’s time for a select few D’Andrea residents.
Sparks residents should seek accountability, demand transparency, and challenge the status quo to ensure true civic participation. The fundamental right of every Sparks citizen to be informed and involved in matters affecting their community must be upheld.
Why keep this exclusive? Shouldn’t all Sparks residents be able to attend on September 4, 2024?
Is the media invited?
Is anyone else perplexed by this private meeting.
We urge residents who have questions and want to talk about speeding, or traffic in the City of Sparks to call or email their councilmember and demand to go to this. Why not ask the Police Chief (775) 353-2231 and City Manager (775) 353-2310 about this elite event.
Donald Abbott - Ward 1 Office: (775) 353-2311 eMail: dabbott@cityofsparks.us
Dian Vanderwell - Ward 2 Office: 775-353-2311 eMail: dvanderwell@cityofsparks.us
Paul Anderson - Ward 3 Office: 775-353-2311 eMail: panderson@cityofsparks.us
Charlene Bybee - Ward 4 Office: (775) 353-2311 eMail: cbybee@cityofsparks.us
Kristopher Dahir - Ward 5 Office: (775) 353-2311 eMail: kdahir@cityofsparks.us
While penning this article, we attempted to learn if there had been an increase in speeding in D’Andres, as it appears has happened in ‘regular’ Sparks. The last thing we could find was on an agenda from the April 8, 2024, Sparks City Council Meeting:” Modify regulations for traffic control signage within the 816-acre D’Andrea planned development generally located east of Vista Boulevard, south of Los Altos Parkway, and North of Prater Way.”
With that being all we can find regarding “speeding in D’Andrea” we said, whoa, hold up. Are we smelling some political shenanigans in Sparks?
Councilmember Paul Anderson's fighting for his Ward 3 seat, and things aren't looking too hot fir another four years. Anderson’s opponent Brad Fitch has been outworking him walking and meeting Sparks Ward 3 residents.
D’Andrea is in Ward 3. Wait. Suddenly, there's this exclusive shindig with a star-studded City of Sparks lineup. Coincidence? Yeah, right.
It's like Anderson's trying to flex on the residents, screaming "Look how connected I am!" without actually saying it. Smooth move Paul.
And Mayor Lawson? He's got Anderson's back like they're in some political bromance. It's giving major "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" vibes. Are we witnessing the cringiest display of cronyism ever? Lawson's basically throwing taxpayer dollars at making Anderson look cool.
The big question: Will those D'Andrea voters fall for this not-so-subtle charm offensive? Or will they see right through it? Get answers to their questions, so are they using “desperate to win” Councilmember Anderson.
Mark your calendars, folks! November 5, 2024 (or thereabouts) is when we'll find out if this little power play paid off or backfired spectacularly.
