How Much Coffee Can I Drink?
Mike Clark wants to have a series of community meetings. Help find him a spot.
In the ever-changing realm of Washoe County Government, numerous residents have expressed their concerns regarding a myriad of pressing issues. As an elected official entrusted to serve the community, the challenge lies in efficiently addressing these concerns to ensure every voice is heard and valued.
A fundamental aspect of effective governance lies in the ability to bridge the gap between the government and its constituents. Residents seek acknowledgment and engagement, prompting the necessity for open dialogues and meaningful interactions.
Despite the genuine intention to engage with residents, the constraints of time pose a significant challenge. The daily schedule permits only a limited number of meetings, leaving many voices unheard and perspectives unexplored. I usually meet with about three to four people daily, and my question is “how much coffee can I drink?”
Then I had a thought, to have a series of community meetings so I can reach more people. Making it an open forum and allowing residents to interact with one another. I thought this would be a great opportunity to bring people together. Washoe County Government doesn’t like the idea much, not unexpected, remembering Washoe County is attempting to get rid of the Community Advisory Boards/CABs, something I have consistently opposed. A community meeting seems like the right thing to do. I’m elected to serve the residents, and that means meeting and talking with them.
The landscape of public discourse within Washoe County encompasses a diverse array of topics, ranging from the Karma Box Project to the development aspects of Sierra Reflections in District 2. The Housing Affordability Package 2.5 and the proposed soccer stadium at South Valley’s Regional Park also stand as focal points of discussion. The most telling was how many residents I heard from in District 2 that they learned more about the wildfire and evacuations from social media than Washoe County. That just really broke my heart, because it is what happened to me too, and I’m a county commissioner with no updates, except for a few emailed to all commissioners from the county manager.
The recent Davis Fire incident shed light on the critical importance of timely and accurate information dissemination to residents. Upholding transparency and ensuring efficient communication channels can avert misinformation and foster community trust.
As the commissioner for the district, Chief Charles Moore was kind to call me about the wildfire, to brief me, on the day the fire broke out Saturday, September 7, 2024, and that was it. No, I mean that was it. I got updates from the County Manager along with the District 1, 3, 4, and 5 commissioners, despite a large majority of my constituent’s homes being at risk dependent on the winds.
On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, I reached out to former Commissioner Marsha Berkbigler who while representing District 1 experienced a wildfire. Marsha told me she received constant calls and updates from Chief Moore and County Manager John Slaughter because again the fire was in her district. Berkbigler felt she probably knew more about what was going on than the commission chair, again because it was her district. Marsha commented that County Manager John Slaughter realized the buck stopped with Berkbigler so he wanted her to have as much information as he could provide to her.
Not the case with me, in fact the Monday, Septembrer 9, 2024 press conference I was not informed of, nor invited to attend. I received no further calls from Chief Moore, the Chair or the County Manager and his staff. Heck, even the fire app we directed people to did not update, and the only updates to the public and me were from the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District’s X account. I am very concerned about this lack of professionalism, communication, and the fact that several Washoe County employees told me that the “information lock down” regarding the Davis Fire was done to make me look bad and deny my constituents access to information that is vital to their livelihood. This is unacceptable.
Vice-Presidential candidate Democratic Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota got an update, toured some of the fire devastation, handed out water to first responders in District 2, on Monday, September 9, 2024 – want to know how I learned about it – saw it on the 5PM local news.
Well, I’m at my Waterloo, line in the sand time folks.
I made it known I wanted to host a series of town halls for District 2 residents, and anyone else who wants to attend about ten days ago. Immediately I started to be advised by the folks at the District Attorney’s office that they would advise against these meetings. I and my private counsel disagree. Though the county previously shut down my “Bike with Mike” and my Older Americans Month senior event at the Reno Elks Lodge, events I was ALLOWED by Washoe County to hold in 2023, I would like to put the county staff on notice that I am going to have a series of community meetings, hosted by my constituents for my constituents that I will be in attendance of in my capacity as a county commissioner.
I’ll let the media know when the meetings are set, I’m working with a few people to find a space large enough. We’re hoping to live stream on YouTube. That’s right I’m going to start my own YouTube channel. If you’ve got a space, or know of a space for the meetings, please reach out via my email meclark@washoecounty.gov or call my cell phone 775-720-2277.
Mike Clark