In A River Runs Through It, the line “I am haunted by waters” speaks to beauty, memory, and loss. Under Devon Reese’s mayoral campaign, the Truckee River has taken on a far less poetic role: haunted not by nostalgia, but by neglect.

Reese, who now poses as the river’s great protector, has presided over years in which the Truckee became the city’s restroom of last resort. Residents don’t need campaign slogans — they need to be able to walk by the river without dodging human waste. Yet here’s Reese, standing riverside for campaign photos, hoping the public forgets what really flows downstream.

Dozens of residents showed up, pleaded, and practically begged: please don’t let neighborhood accessory dwelling units (ADUs) become short-term rentals. The council, after all, said ADUs were supposed to be about affordable housing. Affordable, for whom? Certainly not for the folks footing the bill to build one.

But last Wednesday, in a dazzling display of selective hearing, the Reno City Council did a full 180 and voted to let ADUs morph into mini-Hyatts. So much for keeping neighborhoods livable — apparently lobbyists with Airbnb tote bags get better seating than residents with concerns.

Only in Reno do you cancel a hybrid meeting—yes, hybrid—25 minutes before it’s set to start because of “no quorum.” Think about that. Residents showed up in person, people were ready online, and yet somehow the City of Reno couldn’t round up enough board members to click a Zoom link or dial in by phone?

Ward 5 residents dutifully schlepped downtown, navigated parking headaches, and wove through City Hall’s sidewalk homeless scene just to be greeted by a notice of cancellation. The message? Your time is disposable.

On September 10th, the Reno City Council will hold the first reading of its ordinance on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)—the supposed superhero solution to affordable housing. A second reading will follow two weeks later.

But here’s the plot twist: without one critical safeguard—banning short-term rentals—Reno’s neighborhoods could become the next playground for an army of real estate villains.

In most cities, it’s considered a public service when a resident takes time out of their day to speak during public comment at a city council meeting. In Reno, Nevada, it’s starting to feel more like a public risk — especially if you say something that rubs Mayor Hillary Schieve the wrong way. Because these days, challenging Schieve’s decisions doesn’t just get you a polite nod — it might get you publicly accused, publicly shamed, and publicly dragged for… well, daring to participate in democracy.

Attention Ward 5 and City of Reno residents. While Ward 5 Neighborhood Advisory Board meetings seem to have mysteriously vanished from Councilmember Devon Reese's calendar, he has managed to find time for something truly essential: Community Tennis and Pickleball Day.

Yes, while your concerns about the Lakeridge development, ADUs on your lot line, and that charming Jiffy Lube proposal for Mayberry and Hunter Lake, you can rest easy knowing your elected representative is perfecting his backhand. Sure most of this, except the ADUs are not in Ward 5 but activist citizens have been using their voices at NAB meetings and should have the right to equally be heard in Ward 5.

Congratulations. The City of Reno has unveiled its latest performance art piece: a citizen feedback survey carefully engineered to gather the information the city wants to feature, not what is truly concerning to residents.

This City of Reno survey is the municipal equivalent of asking "how are you?" while already walking away. Reno officials have mastered the art of claiming "residents don't care" while ensuring exactly that outcome. Their latest online survey represents strategic disengagement disguised as outreach.

Picon was surprised to read that ADUs Accessory Dwelling Units are coming back to the City of Reno Council meeting on July 31, 2024. The city staff will be presenting their recommendations, and you know the council almost ALWAYS follows the of staff reports.