How About a Comment Commissioner Alexis Hill, Re: Eric Brown & Cari-Ann Burgess
Commissioner Alexis Hill and Mariluz Garcia “listening in” at a Washoe County Commisison Meeting.
AKA: Washoe County Standard Operating Shenanigans
In the midst of what should have been a period of calm and efficiency, Washoe County finds itself embroiled in a whirlwind of controversy and intrigue. The recent episodes involving key personnel such as Interim Registrar of Voters Cari-Ann Burgess and County Manager Eric Brown have sent shockwaves through the community, raising questions about transparency, accountability, and the true dynamics at play within the county's administrative circles.
Looks like a few employees at the county have gotten too comfortable in their ivory tower, forgetting their taxpayer-funded throne isn't actually bulletproof. Nothing is quite like watching a public servant who's confused 'serving the public' with 'sovereign rule over the peasants.'
The abruptness of Eric Brown's "pneumonia leave" and the subsequent revelations have cast a shadow of doubt over the official narrative. Text messages circulating among influential figures in Washoe County confirmed Brown's impending absence, only to be leaked to the press, sparking a flurry of speculation and criticism.
Our Town Reno breaking County Manager Eric Brown’s medical leave.
Commissioner Mike Clark found himself at the center of a storm, accused of divulging sensitive information to the media. However, his proactive approach in verifying his innocence through formal channels challenged the prevailing narrative of secrecy and opacity within the county's corridors of power. One of the propaganda pushers at Washoe County decided to call Clark out communicating to Our Town Reno.
Granted the county employee didn’t say his name, but since “he” is the only male commissioner well it doesn’t take a stretch of imagination. We reached out to Commissioner Clark, and he told us he took his county issued laptop and cell phone into the county to have it verified that he had not opened either email or text that day, so how could he have shared it.
Commissioner Clark hadn’t opened his county issued laptop for quite a few days and hence didn’t see the email regarding County Manager Eric Brown’s leave.
Clark had spoken to County Security Administrator Ben West, received written confirmation that the email and text regarding Brown’s leave had not been opened by Clark, and marched himself into Human Resources Director Patricia Hurley’s office and made a formal complaint. Hurley was working from home we learned, and question why do so many Washoe County employees work from home? How do they serve residents of Washoe County from home?
Clark told us, “I didn’t know my sharing information with the press, you know, trying to stay transparent upset the powers that be at the county so much. Now that I know I’ll share more. Why the county chooses to be on information lockdown is beyond my comprehension. We’re elected to represent the residents of Washoe County, and residents should be informed.”
Official Press Release regarding County Manager Eric Brown’s medical leave released on October 30, 2024.
The contradiction between the official press release citing Brown's medical condition and his public appearance the next night at a local watering hole bar/restaurant raised eyebrows and fueled skepticism. The absence of a coherent response from key figures, including Chair Alexis Hill, further muddied the waters, leaving the public with more questions than answers. And this is all happening during a presidential election with Nevada being a battleground state.
Social media commenter Phil Tenneson post on October 31, 2024 of County Manager Eric Brown at a local bar/restaurant David’s Grill at Red Hawk Golf and Resort.
We get why the propaganda peeps were so upset they were working on an absolutely glowing statement about County Manager Brown’s absence, and heck their thunder had been taken away by the early text release. Oh darn.
The “formal” press release regarding Manager Brown’s absence was sent on October 30, 2024, outlining how he has pneumonia and, “needs to listen to his body and his healthcare professional” and take care of his health in order to have a planned medical procedure and then return to the job he loves. On October 31, 2024 we assume Brown listened to his body and headed to a local bar/restaurant with his wife. The Nevada Globe has Phil Tenneson’s date stamped photos.
The sudden departure of Cari-Ann Burgess under the pretext of stress raised concerns about the underlying motives and dynamics within Washoe County's administrative structure. The subsequent shift in responsibilities to Assistant County Manager Kate Thomas, during Brown’s absence, now overseeing the Registrar of Voters Office added a layer of complexity to an already convoluted situation. You remember Ms. Thomas from the City of Reno lawsuit, McKissick v. City of Reno, 3:17-cv-00458, the City of Reno had to settle for $300,000.
One of City of Reno Assistant City Manager Kate Thomas - text message strings from McKissick v. City of Reno, 3:17-cv-00458.
Investigations into Burgess's situation highlighted discrepancies between the official stance and the emerging realities. The transition from a stressed employee to one under administrative investigation underscored the tumultuous environment prevailing within the Registrar of Voters Office. Read ProPublica, and once the “stressed out” Registrar of Voters went to the press, well now she’s on administrative leave being investigated by Washoe County Human Resources, Director Patricia Hurley.
Commissioner Clark's interactions with national media outlets shed light on the broader implications of the unfolding drama. His persistent queries and demands for transparency signaled a growing dissatisfaction with the status quo and a call for accountability at the highest levels.
Mike Clark, has been being interviewed by national press, an example, ABC interview when Commissioner Alexis Hill accused him of being an “arsonist let in the building.” When Burgess went on “stress leave” Clark was hearing from national media regarding the missing Registrar of Voters and with Washoe County using the word “stress” it caused a uproar bringing to mind the former ROV’s and the false propaganda pushed out by the county about death threats, threats, harassment, etc. of election works.
Commissioner Mike Clark’s request for “talking points” from Washoe County on October 24, 2024.
Clark had asked the county for an update, talking points, and got his usual goose egg from the county. But, hey wait, we think you have another complaint Commissioner Clark.
Washoe County has changed Cari-Ann’s status from stressed to administrative leave under investigation. Shouldn’t the propaganda team had remembered your October 24, 2024 request and communicated with you prior to their October 31, 2024 Media Update. Or at the very least have let you know the county had officially changed her leave status.
Washoe County Media Release October 31, 2024.
The events unfolding at Washoe County serve as a stark reminder of the inherent fragility of public trust and the consequences of opaque governance. As the community grapples with the aftermath of recent controversies, the imperative of transparency, accountability, and proactive communication emerges as the cornerstone of a resilient and trustworthy administrative system.
No matter what we or any other press write – we all are in a holding pattern to learn if Cari-Ann Burgess will turn into the whistleblower we all know she can be. If she does residents of Washoe County might finally learn what has been taking place in the Registrar of Voters Office since County Manager Eric Brown locked down information flow and transparency during the 2020 elections.
Washoe County is essentially attempting to undo something that cannot easily be taken back and that is the leave they insisted Cari-Ann Burgess take.
Hey, Washoe County you might need to climb down from that ivory tower, you can’t put the genie back in the bottle this time.