Tis The Season To Get Political

They’re Coming Out From Everywhere And It’s Only February

by Johnny Gunn

The 2004 political year will be significant on the national scene for the simple reason of the presidential election, but in Nevada, this election cycle could bring massive changes to our lives. From the problems associated with the 2003 legislative session to the imbroglio of the University of Nevada System Board of Regents, the 2004 political season may bring many people to the polls.

The Supremes

When the legislature failed to come up with a workable and balanced budget as required by law, even after special sessions, Governor Kenny Guinn called on the Supreme Court to force the issue. The state constitution requires new taxes to be passed by the legislature by a two thirds majority. That amendment to the constitution was passed by the voters of the Silver State twice and signed into law by the governor, but the state Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional by a 6-1 vote.

In the last special session of the legislature, the new $836 million tax increase was passed by a two thirds majority, and federal law suits have been filed to throw out the supreme court ruling. In addition, recall petitions were circulated to oust then Chief Justice Deborah Agosti who wrote the majority opinion. The recall attempt failed.

Agosti just happens to be one of the justices who must face reelection this cycle, and because of her stand on the majority decision, many are looking to take her seat. Agosti has said she plans to stand for reelection. Current Chief Justice Miriam Shearing has said she plans to retire at the end of this term, and Justice Myron Leavitt’s seat is open following his death recently.

That position will be filled by the governor, but whoever is appointed must then seek election come November.

Several people have already announced their candidacy for Agosti’s seat including John Mason who lives at Lake Tahoe. Mason is an entertainment lawyer and former head of Nevada’s Republican Party. Don Ashworth, a Clark County probate commissioner has said he will file for the seat, and Douglas Smith, a Justice of the Peace in Clark County has also thrown his hat in the ring. The position of Supreme Court Justice is nonpartisan.

Agosti was elected to the District Court bench in Washoe County in 1984 and was reelected twice before seeking and winning a seat on the supreme court in 1998. Before her election to district court, Agosti served as a Reno Justice of the Peace.

There are several people looking to replace Chief Justice Miriam Shearing, including Clark County District Family Court Judge Cynthia Dianne Steel who has served on the bench since 1997. Washoe County Chief District Judge James W. Hardesty has announced his candidacy as well. Hardesty was first elected to the bench in 1998. Michael Douglas, a Clark County District Court Judge has served since his appointment to the bench in 1995.

Several candidates, including Judge Michael Douglas have filed to be Justice Leavitt’s replacement. Leavitt died January 9, this year. Applications to replace must be filed by February 19, and the Commission on Judicial Selection will hold interviews March 18. A replacement is hoped for in late spring.

When three nominees are picked, Governor Guinn will then name the replacement who will serve until the November election. The committee is made up of seven permanent members, including Supreme Court Chief Justice Shearing, and three members appointed by the state bar.

Justice Leavitt was appointed to the Clark County District Court in 1984, reelected in 1992 and 1996, and elected to a two year term on the Supreme Court in 1998. He won a six year term in 2000.

Statewide Elections and Information

Twenty four republican members of Nevada’s legislature have filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court, challenging the state supreme court verdict dealing with passage of tax legislation. The state court threw out the two thirds majority rule OKd by voters, the legislature, and the governor.

Fifteen states have what is commonly referred to as super majority laws dealing with taxes, and Nevada’s Supreme Court decision might be looked on as a challenge to all of them. There is no indication at this time whether any of those other states might join as friends of Nevada’s assemblymen.

Some say chances of the court actually hearing the case are very slim, but the action alone will cause ripples through the 2004 election cycle. All assembly seats are up for election, and the tax-no tax issue will be hotly debated by all.

Among those most interested in the issue is a group called Nevadans for Sound Government (NSG) which is currently fighting the imposition of the recent $830 million tax increase. The organization is well known to Secretary of State Dean Heller as they refuse to follow state law as it pertains to financial disclosure laws. Their forms are turned in blank.

Democrats by and large will run for reelection or election based on support of the tax bill as called for by Governor Kenny Guinn, a republican. Many republicans in the legislature opposed the tax increase and will stand by their position during the session. Many political pundits are saying there could be many new faces in Carson City during the 2005 legislative session.

There is a second issue that many in the legislature will be called on to oppose or support during this election period, and that comes from what some are calling the ‘double dipping scandal’ of 2003. Between a lack of statewide policy and the obscene measures of some legislators, the question of whether public employees should even serve in the legislature is sure to be a big debate item.

Currently 14 out of 63 members of the legislature are also public employees and Attorney General Brian Sandoval is expected to issue an opinion on whether or not this is to continue. The NSG is spreading a petition calling for a ban on public employees with jobs paid by way of taxes serving in the legislature, and in effect, voting on possible salary increases by way of increased taxes.

The argument goes as far back as the 1950s and there have been conflicting attorney general opinions over the more than half century of debate. No actual law has been passed in Nevada to answer the question, and for many, the question is based on where you live, who you work for.

Most of the questions began when it was determined that Assemblyman Wendell Williams was getting paid by both the legislature and the city of Las Vegas. He has consequently been fired from his city job, and his seat in the assembly is in doubt as well. Besides that, and primarily because of the scandal, his funds for reelection have all but dried up according to figures on file with the Secretary of State.

Two other southern Nevada lawmakers were also fired from their government jobs because of double dipping, that is getting paid as a legislator and getting paid in another government position. Assemblyman Kelvin Atkinson was fired by Clark County and Assemblywoman Kathy McClain was also fired.

Some say a part of the problem is the fact that in Nevada, legislators are part timers at best, as far as pay goes. they are called on to work 120 days every other year and are only guaranteed $7,800 for their regular session work. For a legislator in southern Nevada, and most of the rural eastern counties, there are exceptional expenses not faced by those in northern Nevada, such as making the trips back and forth to Carson City, living expenses while serving, and other related costs.

It will be up to a combination of Attorney General Brian Sandoval and the new legislature to answer the ancient question of double dipping by government employees. Should teachers, police officers, municipal workers be allowed to serve in the legislature? Some states specifically answer with an emphatic no, others have serious rules and regulations regarding service, and others, like Nevada, don’t have a statewide policy.

Another look at this. Would you want to be a city, county, or education supervisor of an employee serving in the legislature? Is there a possibility of intimidation?

The unions representing public employees in the Silver State support the right of a public employee to serve. They are part time citizen legislators, they say. Often spoken is the difference by a citizen legislature and a professional legislature such as found in California.

Other Political News From Around The State

Nevada democrats will hold their statewide precinct caucuses on Valentine’s Day, February 14, this year. Some in the party say they hope to have at least a little influence at the national level. Nevada’s actual primary election isn’t until September.

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In the meantime, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), is spreading the word around the state for minorities to educate themselves on the issues, to register, and to go to the polls. One organization representative said, it isn’t enough to just register, you must go to the polls and vote.

Washoe County

In a Nevada Observer exclusive, former Reno city councilman Tom Herndon announced he would be challenging County Commissioner Jim Galloway for the District One seat. The southwest seat represents a very influential part of Washoe County, and includes Incline Village at Lake Tahoe. Galloway is in his second term on the commission. Herndon did not outline his campaign, but if previous campaigns can be looked on as examples, he will be vigorous in his challenge.

One area of concern to Herndon is the water supply system used in the Truckee Meadows, the area that encompasses the cities of Reno and Sparks. He is sure to have more to say on this topic in the coming campaign season.

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Sparks businessman Bob Larkin has announced his plans to campaign for the Washoe County Commission as well, challenging Jim Shaw in District 4. He plans to focus his campaign on intergovernmental cooperation with Reno and Sparks. He’s calling it a 21st Century agenda. District 4 covers northeast sections of the county. Shaw has not indicated whether he plans to run for a fourth term on the board.

Clark County

State Senator Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas is going to face a challenge for his Senate District Four seat from Terri Malone, a fellow democrat. Neal has served 32 years in the Senate and was an unsuccessful candidate for governor in the last election. Neal indicates at this time he will stand for reelection. Malone currently sits on the state Board of Education and is married to former state Senator Mike Malone who served one term as a republican.

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In Senate District 6, a republican primary is shaping up between incumbent Ray Rawson and challenger, Assemblyman Bob Beers. The two have opposing views on taxes and spending, related to last year’s legislative sessions. The men are calling it a neighborhood race. Beers has been in the assembly for three terms. District 6 is one of the districts that has been redesigned and incumbent Rawson isn’t known by many of the voters, and covers the northwest sections of Las Vegas. There are almost 23,000 registered republicans, and almost 20,000 democrats in the district.

Beers said he plans to campaign on the idea of reducing taxes. He voted against the $833 million tax increase passed by the last legislature.

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Disgraced Assemblyman Wendell Williams will have a challenge, actually two challenges, this time around, the first being, no money. His campaign fund sits at zero dollars and no cents (sense). And secondly, Harvey Munford is looking to capture the District 6 seat he holds. The challenge will be by way of a democratic primary race. Munford tried to win that seat in 2000. Both men are African American.

Williams not only lost his job with the city for his double dipping activities during the last session of the legislature, he lost his seat as the Assembly’ speaker pro tem, and was involved in the CCSN / University Regents imbroglio that is a continuing source of frustration to the attorney general and district judges.

Public Records Access: New Lyrics to an Old Tune

How It Really Works

By Donald J. Cook

What in the world is a "public record," really? What are our rights to access such records? According to State Law, NRS 239.010 states, in part, that "All public books and public records of a governmental entity, the contents of which are not otherwise declared by law to be confidential, must be open at all times during office hours to inspection by any person, and may be fully copied or an abstract or memorandum may be prepared from those public books and public records." The law further states, "A person may request a copy of a public record in any medium in which the public record is readily available. An officer, employee or agent of a governmental entity who has custody of a public record shall not refuse to provide a copy of that public record in a readily available medium because he has already prepared or would prefer to provide the copy in a different medium."

Many folks consider a "public record" in a very narrow context; driving record, birth record, divorce record, etc., etc. The short of it is that the vast majority of governmental documents are public and very few of our citizens exercise their rights to access their publicly owned records! This information can provide a panoramic window offering a keen view into the inner workings of our government.

As with any window, the sensitivity to light, location and size all play a role in the overall clarity, resulting in shades ranging from crystal clear to virtually opaque. The variance depends upon the contents within the structure. Once inside, there is a virtual treasure chest of information awaiting the intrepid explorer.

The problems faced for the vast majority of our populace in gaining access can best be described as playing hide-and-go-seek in a foreign country. You are in unfamiliar terrain and do not speak the language! You first must know who is the caretaker of the "turf" on which you are looking. Secondly,

you need to learn certain governmental phrases and acronyms. Both can be confusing.

All governing bodies have a "clerk of the council/court/board", etc. Agencies and departments have the "secretary to" or the "recorder," the names and duties are quite similar. Acronyms, often thought to be exclusive to the military, are in widespread use in government at all levels. When looking for a "simple" governmental contract, one may be faced with other pieces of the puzzle labeled as a MOU (memorandum of understanding), C&E Forms (campaign and expenditure reports for elected officials) or the infamous SUP (special use permit), or even the dreaded EIS (environmental impact statement). The list is endless, a bit of homework is in order if one is to locate the needed data.

This information is important because in most cases, your request for records must be precise, as the government official may not (or will not) give you all of the related documents without specific reference. What you don't know to ask for can't help you.

So, why would anybody want to review this information? The elected officials are your employees, having been awarded a two, four, or six year contract by majority vote of the shareholders (registered voters). These employees hire "sub-contractors" (staff) which are not under your direct control and run the day-to-day operations of your business, many making a very tidy sum in the process. You need to see the receipts for the work performed. Anyone who hires a contractor receives an estimate and an itemization for expenses. Such receipts or records would include contracts of employment for the various governmental CEOs and key staff, outside consultant contracts, professional/ legal fees, and bid awards to vendors, just to name a few.

The fact that most governmental entities do not make these vital public records easy to obtain is the exact reason why there are virtually no general members of the citizenry present during the public hearing process at which time the governmental budgets are approved. If the general public were actively made aware of the paper trail of dollars spent and services provided, the meeting rooms would be at capacity. Most of those who consistently attend such critical meetings are folks associated with special interests, developers, lobbyists, and assorted political "insiders."

Beyond the tracking of fiscal responsibility, if one assembles the correct pieces of the puzzle, very interesting pictures come into focus. Proper assembly is accomplished by looking for common denominators. In the case of elected officials, the State Campaign Contribution and Expense Reports #1- #3 are the first pieces to obtain. Next, you would review the numerous consultant and professional contracts awarded, not to mention the follow-up State report called "Disposition of Unspent Contributions Form." Throw in a few approved land use developments and maybe some employment contracts...now you get the picture.

Completed Campaign Contribution and Expense Reports are obtained through the "filing officer" from whom the elected official obtained his or her election papers. For example, a city council person would file with the city clerk, a county commissioner with the county clerk or county registrar of voters.

The "C&E Reports" alone are well worth reviewing, providing food for thought and posing some very interesting questions! With a statutory limit of $10,000 for overall election contributions per person or organization, can a candidate loan in excess of $40,000 to their own campaign without documenting where such money came from? Good question, but it happens! Follow-up reports then indicate "fund raisers" to repay the loan to themselves. Maybe a loophole begging for campaign reform? You be the judge.

The Disposition of Unspent Contribution Form always makes for good reading! Here, elected officials account for monies collected and spent subsequent to their election. Monies can be turned over to other political campaigns, charity or for payment of expenses relating to one's elective office. How about attendance at professional conferences held in Europe, Asia, or Australia? Not a problem, it is just part of the job! Need to purchase notebook computers, PDA's and cell phones for use at home, in addition to the government issued items for the "performance of your duties;" look no further!

So, how do the citizens get a better view without an extensive and costly remodel? Well, for starters, a person may request a copy of a public record in any medium in which the public record is readily available. The overwhelming majority of public records are in electronic form, so, citizens should demand that any and all public records be accessible via the Internet.

A good example of a city that is working diligently in the area of public access is Austin, TX. Their city council agendas also contain links to all of the backup reports, contracts, agreements, ordinances, etc. This information can be located at: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/agenda/2004/council_011504_linked.htm

Actually, access of this sort is a win-win situation for both government and the citizens. Citizens are afforded 24-hour access to their public records at no cost. Government can deliver the service with little or no staff, copy and postage expense. The result is a very well informed electorate with citizens who can constructively participate in the direction of their government.

So, why is this practice not standard operating procedure in the public sector? Until the citizens exercise their "rights" to access public records, government officials will continue to retain their inherent concern over public scrutiny and continue with business as usual.

Good News On The Economic Scene Unemployment Continues Downward Slide

Gaming Figures Reflect Change As Well

(Carson City) --- The unemployment rate in Nevada continues to fall, primarily because of population growth. More people moving into the Silver State fuels growth of local business which in turn fuels a need for more employees. That’s the mantra from Nevada’s Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation, as they released figures from December, 2003.

During the last year, as many as 42,300 new jobs were filled in Nevada, and figures released during the last week of January, 2004, place the unemployment figure for December at 4.4 percent, down point one percent from November.

In southern Nevada the figure is 4.4 percent, mirroring the state level while northern Nevada’s rate of unemployment stands at 3.8 percent. Although gaming is responsible for about 20 percent of the jobs in the state, they only accounted for about five percent of new jobs during the past year.

Compared to our neighbor to the west, Nevada is job heaven. California’s unemployment rate stands at 6.4 percent, well ahead of the national average of 5.7 percent.

Simple figures rarely tell a complete picture, and White Pine County proves the point. While having an unemployment rate of only three percent, down from 3.3 percent a year ago, the total number of jobs has fallen from 2,940 in 2002 to 2,680 in 2003. The labor force in many of Nevada’s rural counties reflect the same picture.

Mineral County has the highest unemployment rate in Nevada, six percent, Lyon County right behind shows 5.9 percent unemployed, while Lander County comes in at 5.6 percent.

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November Gaming Numbers Up

Just Not Very Much

(Carson City) --- Gaming Control Board figures for November, 2003, indicate the casinos statewide enjoyed a 4.29 percent increase in revenue at the tables and machines, but several counties were in negative numbers. Among the losers were Washoe County, South Lake Tahoe, and Elko County.

Clark County, overall showed a 6.54 percent increase while Washoe County had a negative 7.35 percent. These numbers represent a comparison with November 2002 figures. The gaming board said that overall, Nevada casinos took in $763.7 million for the month.

November weather statewide was mostly fair with little storm problems which affect the north more than the southern part of the state. Many say the problems in the north can be attributed to Indian gaming casinos being built along the Interstate 80 corridor linking California to Nevada.

Sales Tax Figures Show Continuing

Rise in Consumer And Building Spending

The state taxation division has released figures indicating continued rise in spending, both by individual consumers, and in the building trades. In November, 2003, the sales tax figures were 7.5 percent about the same period in 2002, showing a gain for the fifth month in a row. Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn said the figures were above what had been so direly predicted in his budget messages during the last legislative session.

Gaming revenues have not kept up, but the state’s taxable sales, as shown in this most recent report, were $2.8 billion. Tax revenues are ahead of projections that were used during the budget process.

University System Board of Regents Still Don’t Understand The Meaning of Law, Any Law

by Johnny Gunn

Almost as a continuation of last issue’s Top Story, the University of Nevada System Board of Regents go one step after another, allegedly breaking laws left and right. From ignoring the state’s open meeting law to over charging tuition in direct violation of state law; some say the regents are an out of control renegade group that needs to be reigned in, if not fined jailed.

Well, jailing is out of the question, but there are many in the state suggesting the legislature take a long look at proposals that have been made in the past to make the regents an appointed rather than elected board.

At the same time, because of alleged repeated violations of the open meeting law, the attorney general is proposing new legislation to answer the problem. Brian Sandoval is looking for authority to punish repeat violations, and to include financial penalties. That doesn’t exist in the current law. Sandoval has been quoted as saying, “We would like better options and more remedies.” He was speaking to what he called repeated willful violations.

A District Judge Takes A Slap At University Regents Regarding Open Meeting Law Violations

Las Vegas District Judge Jackie Glass demanded the University Board of Regents follow the open meeting law in their dealing with ousted CCSN President Ron Remington. Remington went to court because he wasn’t given an opportunity to speak on his own behalf at an upcoming Regents meeting, and hadn’t been given the documentation from the November, 2003 meeting during which he was removed from office.

Because of his court appearance, Regents removed an agenda notice of a Remington hearing, and immediately forwarded transcripts of his November hearing. The judge called that arrogance and ordered that the regents must pay $7,500, the cost of producing those transcripts. The court had ordered that those transcripts be delivered more than six weeks earlier.

The regents are already under indictment for violations of the open meeting law. Regents’s attorney told Judge Glass that what she was hearing was a fairy tale. Glass disagreed and suggested in stern language that the regents obey the open meeting law.

Regents Muff it Again, Hotel Owner Miffed

The sting of an attorney general’s complaint still deep in their minds, the University of Nevada System Board of Regents, an elected body, is now discovering they have been violating state law over tuition expenses since 1995. Just how much money that might amount to has not been determined, but it will be considerable according to most sources. A figure of $4.6 million has been floated, but some think that’s a low estimate.

On January 29, at a regular meeting of the board of regents, held in Henderson, NV, the board voted to change its policy and follow Nevada law and charge resident tuition to students who have lived in Nevada for at least six months, not the one year the regents have been demanding for the last nine years.

Interestingly, the board’s action will only affect those students who entered the university system during this current 2003 - 2004 academic year. The vote to give the six month residency tuition was unanimous despite some contentious argument. No action has been taken on whether to give back the over charges or to wait for an opinion from the attorney general.

It is possible that court action may come before an AG opinion. Since some students were over charged as long ago as 1995, and there is a three year statute of limitations in effect, the question is murky at best.

The state legislature passed a law saying a student at any Nevada University would be charged a resident’s tuition if they had been living in the state for at least six months. The board of regents however passed their own rule saying the residency requirement must be one year, in violation of the state law.

The difference between a non-resident tuition and a resident’s might be as much as $2,000 per semester, and the total number of students involved isn’t known at this time. There are many students just now discovering how they have been overcharged, and it’s expected there will be numerous court proceedings in the near future.

One of those potential court cases will be funded by Law Vegas hotelier Stephen Cloobeck who says he is willing to instigate and pay for a class action lawsuit.

A student at Community College of Southern Nevada (CCSN) was the first to realize she had been ripped off by the college. Sara Renteria said at the time she enrolled she had been living in Nevada for eight months and the college forced her to pay out of state tuition, $2,300 more than an in-state student would pay.

Regent Steve Sisolak says that he brought the discrepancy to the attention of Renteria, and that the two of them plan to work with Cloobeck on the legal options that might be available.

University Chancellor Jane Nichols, in a cavalier moment, is quoted as saying, “we will need to decide whether we need to set up a process for reimbursement.” Cloobeck is furious and is demanding the issue be faced immediately. Students were overcharged, he says, and if it takes a class action suit to give them a voice, that’s what he will do.

State Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani feels there may be thousands of students who have been overcharged for at least one semester, possibly two.

The math is significant. Two thousand dollars times several thousand students.

The Buzz Around the State

Compiled by our Correspondents

Doings in the Capital City

Big Bucks For Highways

(Capital News Bureau) --- The state may be in line for as much as $1.6 billion, if congress passes a major transportation bill. It’s anticipated that action on the bill could come during February, and will represent an increase of more than 35 percent from the last six year allotment.

With so much growth in southern Nevada, most of the transportation, that is, highway dollars, will go to Clark County for such items as the Hoover Dam bypass bridge, Interstate 15 and the Las Vegas Beltway interchanges at Summerlin. Highway 95 is also due for upgrades.

Overall, the transportation bill totals $255 billion for the nation, and is to be spread over a six year period. The previous transportation allocation was for $218 billion. The money is doled out based on population and need.

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Beverly Hillbilly Stumbling Along

(Carson City) --- Once a bumbling idiot on TV’s “Beverly Hillbillies,” Max Baer, Jr., seems to be constantly running into difficulties in getting a major hotel/casino built in northern Nevada. Shut out in Reno, he is proposing a Beverly Hillbillies Mansion and Casino in the capital city. He wants to build it at the location of a former Wal-Mart store on the south edge of town.

J.C. Penney, Wal-Mart, and Glenbrook Corp, owners of the property have taken Baer to court saying restrictions on the property won’t allow for a hotel/casino development. He wants a 200 foot high oil derrick spewing flame, a 240 room hotel, and gaming.

The proposal is making its way through district courts now.

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Medicaid Computer Still Sickly

(Carson City) --- That new computer system that was supposed to update Nevada’s Medicaid payments program is off the critical list but is still listed as “serious.” First Health Services Corp. say the system is getting fixed, but according to at least one source, that claim is bogus. There was testimony before the Legislative Committee on Health Care.

Slightly more than half the claims submitted have been paid according to the state Department of Human Resources. First Health Services was given 30 days to fix the problem, and that time limit ends in five days (February 5).

Storey County

Brothel Wars Continue

(Virginia City) --- Lance Gilman is looked on almost as a savior by some, after all he developed a huge industrial park (102,000 acres) in Storey County, right along the Union Pacific Intercontinental Railroad, and with direct access to Interstate 80, the nation’s major east west intercontinental highway, while others see him more as the devil, ruining their property values and bringing evil to the land, by way of his Wild Horse Canyon Ranch and Spa, a nice term for whore house. And, or course, now the state supreme court finds itself involved.

Gilman, besides bringing to life a major industrial park in economically depressed Storey County, has opened a very large, very fancy, very expensive whore house within a mile of the industrial area, and while the county stands to make lots of tax bucks from both operations, the court has to determine if Gilman followed all the rules and regulations in getting his brothel permits and licenses, and some within the industrial park are determined to see the cat house closed.

After the Internal Revenue Service closed the world famous Mustang Ranch brothel (the first legally licensed whore house in the nation), also located in Storey County, they put the building up for grabs on the Internet’s E-Bay auction house, and, you guessed it, Gilman was high bidder.

He just completed moving the old brothel to its new location, right alongside the disputed Wild Horse Canyon Ranch and Spa. Among the neighbors? Kal Kan Industries, Alcoa Aluminum, and DP Partners.

Clark County

Litigation Impaired? Not!

What’s the half life of law suits?

(Las Vegas) --- The state of Nevada has several lawsuits in progress against the Department of Energy (DOE), but the Silver State may be the pikers here. The major energy companies that use nuclear energy have attorneys standing in line with suits that could total into billions of dollars when it’s all over. The energy producers say they have contracts that call for DOE having a nuclear dump in Nevada, and the nuclear waste has been piling up since 1998.

There may be as many as 50 lawsuits on the books as February gets underway. Talk about a nuclear winter. The bill could be $61 billion when it’s all over. Oh, yeah, that doesn’t include penalties and interest. They may need that rail line after all.

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Recall About Half Way There

(Boulder City) --- The organizers of a petition drive to oust Boulder City mayor Bob Ferraro and city councilman Mike Pacini say they have about half the number of signatures needed to force a recall. They will need 1,248 signatures to recall the mayor and 992 to force an election for Pacini. They began collecting signatures on January 6, and at this time, say they have 938 against Ferraro and 852 against Pacini.

Two men are standing by to put their names on the ballots to replace the two officials if the drive is successful. Bill Smith had a face off with Ferraro in the last general election and lost by 18 votes. Arnold McLean wants to challenge Pacini.

Matthew DiTeresa is one of the organizers of the recall attempt. A poll was released that indicates that 53 percent oppose the recall of Ferraro while 58 percent oppose the recall of Pacini. The mayor paid $4,000 for the poll.

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Kids Prison Back In Business

The Summit View Youth Correctional Center is back in business and accepting child criminals for the first time since being closed in 2002. The facility is being run by the state. It had been run by a private corporation prior to serious problems including suicide by inmates, attempted and actual escapes, drug use, and charges of sexual and physical abuse of inmates. The private company was called Correctional Services Corp.

The prison is located in North Las Vegas, near Nellis Air Force Base and has beds for as many as 96 inmates. the prison is for boys only. Robert McLellan is the new superintendent, and he comes to Nevada from a facility in Montana.

White Pine County

BLM hearings for Shoshone Tribe

(Ely) --- The Shoshone Tribe of eastern Nevada is looking to increase tribal lands by 22,000 acres, wants to use the land for commercial as well as traditional purposes according to papers filed recently with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Hearings on the proposal are already underway, and a BLM official has said the process could take as long as two years.

The land in question is along the Great Basin Highway and on the west side of Ward Mountain. The Shoshone want to use the Ward Mountain land for traditional tribal uses, and the highway frontage for commercial purposes including tribal housing and economic development.

Washoe County

Another Casino's Closing

(Reno) --- Another northern Nevada casino is shutting its doors. That brings the total to three, two in Reno, one in Sparks, and just since the winter solstice. Rocky’s Casino and Sports Bar has sent 29 workers to the cold streets of Reno winter. Rocky’s sits in the heart of downtown Reno where once were showrooms boasting of Sammy Davis, Jr., Frank, Debbie, and Marilyn, where Harold’s Club held sway, where crowds were visible every night.

Their immediate neighbors at closing were pawn shops. Across venerable Virginia Street stands the proud home of Harrah’s, where Bill plied the carpet and high rollers howled with either delight or terror at the fall of a die or the drop of the little white ball.

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Goodbye Quilici Ranch

(Verdi) --- Just up river from the old Bill and Effie’s Coffee Shop, once owned by Reno’s current mayor, up river from the Old Dog Valley Bridge, out there where alfalfa and cattle grow, developers are looking to build 3,000 new homes at the site of the old Quilici Ranch. The Reno City Planning Commission approved zoning for the project, and Summit Engineering Corp. is now waiting for a couple more stops of the proposal, and they’ll break ground. The final word will come from the Reno City Council.