Yesterday Picon wrote about Mayor Lawson and his two buddies who are getting, yet again, a contract with the City of Sparks to help carry the Truckee Meadows Public Land Management Act being sponsored by U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen.

The City of Sparks' latest moves raise serious questions about governance and the allocation of public resources. At the center is Mayor Ed Lawson's decision to award two $80,000 contracts to familiar consultants - a move that deserves scrutiny not just for its cost, but for its broader implications.

The February 24, 2025 Sparks City Council meeting agenda includes a notable consent item (#8) proposing $160,000 in consulting contracts related to the Truckee Meadows Public Land Management Act. The proposal would award $80,000 each to SB Strategic Consulting Inc. and Barrett Resources for public outreach services.

Yes, Sparks Councilmember Donald Abbott's Valentine's Day cards for seniors is a sweet gesture. For five years, he's brought smiles to seniors' faces - for one day.

But what about the other 364 days when our seniors:

• Choose between buying groceries or medicine

• Face eviction notices because they can't afford skyrocketing rent

• Eat substandard meals from Washoe County Human Services Agency

• Battle isolation and depression

• Return to work because their fixed incomes aren't enough anymore

When did selecting a Registrar of Voters become a classified operation?

County Manager Eric Brown has turned what should be a transparent process into a closed-door affair, complete with non-disclosure agreements. Let that sink in: A committee filled with county employees selecting someone to oversee our elections are being sworn to secrecy.

Welcome to the latest episode of "Who Really Cares About Seniors?" starring our very own Washoe County Commission.

In this corner: Commissioner Mike Clark, actual admitted senior citizen and long-time champion of senior issues. In that corner: Commissioner Clara "Photo Op" Andriola, suddenly discovering seniors exist. Behind the curtain: Chair Alexis Hill, puppet master, and motivated to make sure Mike Clark is not reelected in 2026.

Microwave another bag of popcorn, folks. Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson is back on Facebook, and he's brought his signature mix of confusion, complaints, and unintentional comedy, at the expense of the residents of Sparks.

Reno City Councilmember Killjoy Kathleen is still pushing Renoites to use her campaign email (Kathleen@TaylorforReno.com) for official city business. Because apparently, proper government channels are just too... governmental?

In her eager attempt to dodge public records requirements, Taylor has actually created a legal face-plant for herself. Our legal eagles tell us that by publicly directing constituents to use her campaign email for city business, she's effectively turned those "private" campaign emails discoverable, AKA open to public record requests. Now we might have to sue, but it would be worth it.

Move over, reality TV, and for more City of Reno political theatre. The latest drama unfolding at Reno City Council has everything: surprise votes, heated exchanges, and an off-camera showdown that's got everyone talking.

Our story begins with Vice Mayor Kathleen "Killjoy" Taylor dropping a surprise "no" vote on Mayor Schieve's Redevelopment Board appointments. (You know, that board that's been collecting dust since 2017?) But wait - she was just warming up.

While reading today's Reno Gazette Journal, we couldn't help but cheer their coverage of the latest development debacle in the City of Reno - you know, the one Councilmember Devon Reese is championing from his million-dollar perch in Somersett.

Speaking of Somersett... Isn't it fascinating how Reese pushes for dense development everywhere except in his own upscale neighborhood?

Follow the Money: A quick peek at Reese's Secretary of State Contribution and Expense reports tells you everything you need to know. Developer dollars flow like wine into his campaign coffers, and surprise, surprise - he never met a development project he didn't love.

Just when everyone thought the Registrar of Voters carousel might stop spinning, Commissioner Jeanne Herman assured us all was well. The hand-picked candidate would be "wonderful." Take a deep breath, relax - the drama's over, right?

Plot twist: It's Andrew McDonald. Yes, THAT Andrew McDonald.

Remember all those Board of County Commissioner meetings where we were told no staff time was being used for Drag Story Hour? Well, a 2023 public record from the Washoe County Library just blew that story wide open.

The Smoking Gun: Library Executive Director Jeff Scott's public records show "Comp time/staff reassignments" for these events. Let's be clear - comp time is still staff time, and staff time is still paid for by taxpayer dollars.

While Chair Alexis Hill celebrates her "exciting" homeless programs and County Manager Eric Brown gives presentations, people have died on Washoe County streets. This isn't hyperbole - it's the brutal reality our community faces.

These aren't just statistics. These are human beings - someone's parent, child, sibling, friend - perishing in the shadows of our city while county leadership pats itself on the back for programs that clearly aren't reaching everyone in need, and claims to have reduced homelessness in Washoe County by 40%.

Once again, Washoe County is playing fast and loose with taxpayer dollars, serving up a masterclass in how NOT to manage public funds. Let's break down the latest installment of "Who Benefits?"

Exhibit A: The Seven Magic Mountains Boondoggle Remember those rocks that Commission Chair Alexis Hill decided must be relocated Northern Nevada via the Nevada Museum of Art? A cool $500,000 of taxpayer money, and what do we get?

Commissioner Mike Clark forwarded us a Daily Media Report from January 30, 2025, regarding the restoration of hot meals to local seniors, and we found something concerning. While the news itself was positive - seniors finally receiving warm meals after a 14-day interruption due to unexplained "permitting issues" with the temporary kitchen - we noticed a glaring omission.

Despite Picon's extensive coverage of this situation, including detailed reporting on seniors receiving cold sandwiches and later cold salads, our outlet was conspicuously absent from the Daily Media Report. This exclusion comes despite our constant coverage compared to mentioned outlets like RGJ, Channel 8, Channel 4, 2 News, and Fox 11.

The long-delayed revision of Reno's sign code is finally emerging from bureaucratic limbo, but the timing and process raise questions about transparency and public input. Perhaps most telling: the city has chosen to hold these crucial discussions virtually, limiting direct community engagement.

The pattern is familiar. Controversial issues were strategically postponed through the 2024 election cycle, protecting council members facing tight races. Consider Councilmember Kathleen Taylor's narrow victory margin of 287 votes over Frank Perez—a candidate known for his expertise in Reno city code. Meanwhile, downtown residents in the Palladio, Arlington Towers, Park Towers, and The Montage continue waiting for resolution on critical noise issues that were conveniently deferred.

Transparency in local government shouldn't be a game of hide and seek, yet Councilmember Kathleen Taylor appears to be testing those boundaries. Despite winning the Ward 1 election by a razor-thin margin of just 287 votes out of 14,463 cast, Taylor initially attempted to direct city business communications to a campaign email—a move that raises serious questions about public records accountability.

A crucial meeting about regionalizing fire services is scheduled for Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 8AM between the leaders of Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County. While the early meeting time may limit public participation, the potential financial impact on residents demands attention.

Mayors Hillary Schieve (Reno), Ed Lawson (Sparks), and Commission Chair Alexis Hill are collaborating with State Senator Skip Daly on a fire services regionalization plan that deserves closer scrutiny. The timing raises questions, as all three jurisdictions face significant budget deficits for 2026.

In an era when most politicians carefully sidestep controversial issues, Sparks City Council Member Joe Rodriguez (Ward 5) demonstrated rare courage by taking a clear stance on Trump's immigration orders through a heartfelt Facebook post.

This isn't about whether you agree or disagree with Rodriguez's position. It's about something far more fundamental: an elected official willing to stand up and be counted, to put their beliefs in writing, and to defend them openly. In today's political climate, such authenticity is as precious as it is rare.

While scrolling through other council members' social media feeds reveals the usual parade of handshakes and ceremonial appearances, Rodriguez chose to address an issue that deeply affects real families in his ward. While others post about ribbon cuttings, he's engaging with the human cost of policy decisions—families facing possible separation, fearful children, communities grappling with uncertainty.

At the January 21, 2025, Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Mike Clark highlighted a striking contrast: the county hired over 300 new employees in 2024 while simultaneously facing what Our Town Reno reports as a $27 million budget deficit in 2026.

When contacted for comment, Clark offered to provide documentation from Washoe County explaining the rationale behind these hires. The county's defensive stance raises questions, particularly given County Manager Eric Brown's October 2024 warnings about reduced funding for the 2026 budget due to stagnant or declining tax revenues.

In 2012, Washoe County witnessed the consolidation of the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District and Reno Fire Department, fall apart.

For years, political candidates campaigned fervently for regionalization, emphasizing the potential cost savings that could be realized through consolidating not just fire departments but also law enforcement, parks and recreation, and even the formation of a unified regional government.

Fast forward to February 6, 2025, where the City of Reno, City of Sparks, and Washoe County are once again embarking on the journey towards regionalization, specifically focusing on improving fire services. Interestingly, while the City of Sparks has demonstrated transparency by openly listing the meeting on their website, the City of Reno and Washoe County remain notably silent on the matter.