The Mayor of Reno: Protecting Skin and the Real Estate Market, but Who’s Protecting Renoites?
2024 Biggest Little Skin Cancer Screening at Greater Nevada Field. Mayor Hillary Schieve donated $2,500 from the City of Reno general fund to this event neglecting to disclose her Spooge business partner was doing the screening. Commissioner Mike Clark presented the county’s proclamation.
Looks like we’ve got a bit of a sunscreen scandal unfolding in Reno, Nevada. Mayor Hillary Schieve, who has been busy protecting citizens from the dangers of sunburns, might want to turn her SPF 50 on herself, because her latest moves are starting to leave a bit of a stinging rash on her reputation.
Let’s break it down. In the latest episode of "Reno’s Most Transparent Leaders," Mayor Schieve and her business partner, dermatologist Dr. Whitney Hovenic, are basking in the sun with their sunscreen brand, Spooge—yes, you read that right. Spooge. Not exactly the first name we’d go with for a sunscreen product, but hey, not our product to judge.
2024 City of Reno $2,500 from the City’s General Fund for the Biggest Little Skin Check the money went to the Nevada Cancer Coalition. We wonder if the coalition was aware of the mayor’s Spooge business.
The real issue, though, is that last year, Schieve used a nice chunk of city funds—$2,500, to be exact—to promote the inaugural Biggest Little Skin Check. Sounds harmless enough, right? A public health initiative, a nice event to check for skin cancer. Great cause. But here’s the catch: she didn’t exactly make it clear that her sunscreen business, was getting a little love from the city’s discretionary funds. Just a teensy little detail there—transparency, anyone? This year, there’s no sign that Schieve has disclosed her ties to Dr. Hovenic or Spooge. Who’s benefiting from this event again? Just the people getting their skin checked, or also the mayor’s side hustle?
Mayor Hillary Schieve and her business partner own the trademark for Spooge.
It seems like Mayor Schieve is keeping her SPF shield up on both her skin and her finances—too bad it doesn’t seem to protect the public from potential conflicts of interest. It’s almost like she’s trying to prevent any burns to her business interests while everyone else is just left in the sun.
But Wait, There’s More: The ADU Dilemma
Now, let’s pivot to Schieve’s next move: accessory dwelling units (ADUs). For those of you who aren’t knee-deep in city zoning issues, ADUs are essentially small houses or apartments built on the same lot as a main house. They're supposed to be a solution for affordable housing. What’s not to love? Well, according to the Mayor and her City Council colleagues, it’s not the idea of ADUs that has them worried—it’s the idea of them popping up anywhere near their own homes.
In a move that could only be described as convenient, Schieve and her fellow council members have managed to shield their own neighborhoods from the possibility of ADUs being built. Sure, they’re all for expanding the housing options for the rest of us—but not in their backyard. Not on their street. Not near their million-dollar homes. Funny how that works, huh?
It’s almost like they think ADUs are a great idea, just... not where they live. Sure, building more housing to address affordability is critical. But protecting your own personal property values by making sure no one builds an ADU next door? Well, that’s a real power move. Who cares about the people who elected you if you can make sure your neighborhood stays as pristine as your sunscreen business?
Nextdoor post illustrating the Reno Councilmembers homes are outside areas where they want to approve Accessory Dwelling Units/ADUS.