No Barriers Camaraderie
RenoElections.org photo from The Nevada Independent 2018
In the intricate web of Washoe County's social and political landscape, one cannot ignore the tumultuous waves created by Commissioner Mike Clark of District 2. His unfiltered approach to social media, akin to a freight train hurtling down the High Sierra, has become a spectacle for many. Among the myriad posts, a letter penned by Paul White, formerly associated with RenoElections.org, caught our attention, dissecting The Wall Street Journal's Cares Campus article dated November 29, 2023.
White who was the figurehead/spokesperson for the 2018 RenoElections.org. White, known for his chameleon-like transformations with each political season, raised crucial questions about the inconsistencies surrounding Grant Denton, the overseer of Washoe County's Safe Camp at the Cares Campus. Denton, often hailed as the 'darling of Washoe County Government,' finds himself under scrutiny as White unravels the tangled threads of his involvement with the county's initiatives.
Denton's Karma Box Project lost their IRS nonprofit tax status. Despite this setback, the county granted Denton a seven-month grace period to rectify the issue while still funneling funds into the Karma Box Project. This raises a compelling question: Does Denton, paid through his nonprofit venture, disagree with the county's policies? According to White, the answer seems to be a resounding 'yes.'
White's letter reveals key insights:
A surprising camaraderie between Denton and White.
Denton, supposedly paid through the Karma Box Project to manage the Safe Camp, allegedly rejects the 'no-barriers approach' for the Cares Campus.
White urges the reporter to confront Denton, dropping White's name in the process.
Delving into the financials, on October 13, 2020, Denton, operating through the Karma Box Project, inked a substantial $152,169.60 Professional Services Agreement with Washoe County. This agreement, pertaining to the River Clean Up and Homeless Encampment Data Project, is a testament to Denton's significant involvement in county initiatives.
News 4's report on December 14, 2021, discloses Washoe County's commitment of $40 million in federal ARPA relief funds. A noteworthy allocation of $4,500,500 for the Washoe County Safe Camp Capital was approved during a meeting where concerns about reckless spending were raised. Former County Commissioner Vaughn Hartung's statement about spending federal relief funds like "drunken sailors" adds a layer of concern to the situation.
The establishment of the Safe Camp was a consequential outcome of the commission's forward motion. However, a lingering question persists: Does Grant Denton truly oppose Washoe County's 'no-barriers' approach at the Cares Campus? Curiously, Denton has never publicly expressed disagreement with the county's decisions. One might wonder: Why would Denton bite the hand that feeds him, especially when his lucrative projects being funded by the county?
Intriguingly, this narrative doesn't hinge on public records, the usual bedrock of investigative reporting. The absence of records complicates the fact-checking process. While we refrain from making direct calls for fact-checking, we implore others to scrutinize this intriguing situation. It remains paramount to understand whether Denton aligns or disagrees with Washoe County's touted 'no-barrier' model at the Cares Campus, a model purportedly heralded as 'working.'
As the spotlight turns to Washoe County's Homeless Industrial Complex, the inconsistencies surrounding Denton and White's positions on 'no-barriers' entry demand a thorough examination. The narrative unfolds against a backdrop of financial intricacies, political alliances, and a community grappling with homelessness. In a quest for transparency, it is imperative to navigate the blurred lines and uncover the truth behind the rhetoric surrounding the 'no-barriers' approach in Washoe County.