Cautionary tale number one: The sad fate of Powning Park, land donated to the City of Reno to maintain a park in perpetuity where the Pioneer Theatre now stands

Flashback: 47 years ago this week

"On July 27, 1959, The Reno Evening Gazette and Nevada State Journal, which joined the campaign for a convention hall and auditorium and donated free advertising to the campaign but did not scrutinize the proposal in its news coverage, ran front page endorsement editorials on the day before the election in which the bonds were approved, leading to years of difficulties, mismanagement, and a white elephant downtown auditorium."

From longtime Nevada reporter Dennis Myers' Poor Denny's Almanac
Copyright © 2006 Dennis Myers

CAUTION, PART DEUX: Flashback to earlier this month

"Kudos to Sparks Councilman John Mayer, who voted against the selloff of the Mello sports complex because many of the kids now using it would have serious trouble getting transportation to its far-out replacement."

(The land, deeded to the city for parks and recreation, is being sold to a private developer for condos and a shopping center.)
BARBWIRE, Daily Sparks Tribune 7-9-2006

The Neverending Story

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Sen. Reid gets White Pine County/Clark County land and water bill passed in the dead of night, pleasing some, angering others
Las Vegas Sun 12-25-2006

Feds plan to fire employee who shared info with environmental groups on government plan to scam Colorado River water
Las Vegas Sun 12-22-2006

White Pine County threatens to oppose Nevada federal lands bill
Las Vegas Review-Journal 11-30-2006

Administration opposes public land sales legislation
The Bush administration voiced a familiar refrain when it came out against a plan to sell off public land in White Pine County while creating new wilderness and expanding parks.
Las Vegas Review-Journal 11-17-2006

Beating the bushes for money: DC covets Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act proceeds
The Bush administration, anxiously seeking ways to pay off the deficit it has run up, is once again looking hungrily at a fund based in Nevada.
Reno News & Review 11-16-2006

Reno City Council approves new Butler Ranch handbook pending US Army Corps of Engineers study
Road map for 1,550 southeast Reno homes despite flood plain concerns
Reno Gazette-Journal 11-16-2006

Reno's long-term plans eye lands outside growth areas
Southern portion of Ballardini Ranch included in expansion review
Reno Gazette-Journal 9-4-2006

Gov. Guinn approves taxpayer subsidy deal for Cabela's
at Boomtown in Verdi
Reno Gazette-Journal 8-24-2006

Political Writer ERIN NEFF: Money backing tax and condemnation initiatives isn't from Nevada
The only thing green in the grass-roots efforts behind two statewide ballot initiatives is the flow of cash from a New York City millionaire. His name is Howard Rich…
Las Vegas Review-Journal 8-13-2006

TROJAN HORSE: Two Clark County commissioners say eminent domain ballot question loaded with perks for lawyers
and creates new class of lawsuits
Las Vegas Review-Journal 8-13-2006

Eminent domain petition support remains strong
Las Vegas Review-Journal poll 8-10-2006
Eminent domain initiative heads to court
Las Vegas Review-Journal 8-8-2006
Eminent domain petition organizers file opposition to lawsuit
Las Vegas Review-Journal 8-1-2006
Business and governmental interests file lawsuit to keep eminent domain petition off November ballot
Las Vegas Review-Journal 7-21-2006

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Planners add 160,000 acres to service areas
Regional planners approved adding more than 160,000 acres in Reno, Sparks and Washoe County that eventually could get municipal services, which officials said paves the way for organized development.
Reno Gazette-Journal 7-28-2006

Lawsuit filed to keep eminent domain petition off November ballot
Las Vegas Review-Journal 7-21-2006

Planners reject Sparks casino
Reno Gazette-Journal 7-18-2006
Showdown at Sparks Planning Commission on Whittemore-Peppermill Pyramid Highway casino
Reno Gazette-Journal 7-17-2006

The Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Governing Board will hear proposed amendments to the regional plan at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center (Rooms A-19 & 20) on Thursday, July 27, at 1:00 p.m.

Officials decry domain measure
Las Vegas Review-Journal 7-14-2006

Local Paiute tribe challenges plan to export water, citing potential impact
Reno Gazette-Journal 7-14-2006

Now for the real planning
Reno Gazette-Journal Editorial 7-3-2006

CORY FARLEY: Oops, right again
Reno Gazette-Journal 7-2-2006

Regional plan amended to allow 160,000 acres for new development
Reno Gazette-Journal 6-29-2006

WHAT REGIONAL PLAN? Developers join land rush to get annexed into city limits, greatly increasing potential density. Hearing on June 28.
Reno Gazette-Journal 6-27-2006

The West Truckee Meadows Citizen Advisory Board will consider recent actions on the Ballardini Ranch when it meets at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 12, at Roy Gomm Elementary School, 4000 Mayberry Drive, Reno.
Reno Gazette-Journal 6-11-2006

Editor's Note: Many of the news links on this site are from Nevada dailies. In late 2006, the Reno Gannett-Journal began nuking much of its archive. If you encounter any broken links, I encourage you to contact them and send along a copy. Apologies for any inconvenience.

 

A lesson for our times from long ago What are they doing out there? Sometime back in the mists of American history (1846), Ralph Waldo Emerson was informed that his friend Henry David Thoreau had been jailed for an act of civil disobedience. (Thoreau had refused to pay a poll tax, a fee for the privilege of exercising one's right to vote — something long illegal in the U.S. but still practiced in various permutations in Georgia and parts of Florida.) "Henry, what are you doing in there?" exclaimed Emerson when he saw his incarcerated fellow philosopher. "Waldo, the question is what are you doing out there?" Thoreau shot back. So why is the Reno City Council acting against the expressed will of its own citizens? What are they doing out there? Call, fax, write and ask. Better yet, DEMAND!

UPDATE (4-4-2006) — City staff is currently drafting a resolution for the council's consideration on April 5. If passed, it will rescind the council's 2001 unanimous support for Ballardini Ranch preservation and apparently replace it with something else. A staff report is also being prepared. Neither has yet been made public.

The city has invested nothing toward saving the ranch, so the operative question should be "why not?"

What are they doing out there?

This is not a time to endorse additional paving of parkland, but to offer the Washoe County Commission political, legal and financial support in its drive to preserve the last large swath of open space in the increasingly populated Truckee Meadows.

The council has been hit with a cascade of letters. Thanks — and keep up the heat.

What are they doing out there?

UPDATE (4-2-2006) — On its Sunday, April 2, 11:00 p.m. newscast, KRNV TV-4 reported a "shocking" turn in the Ballardini Ranch situation, then proceeded to relate a summary of the bulletin about Reno Mayor Bob Cashell's actions, below. Anchor Sarah Johns noted that KRNV news phoned Mayor Cashell who stated that the city is reconsidering its support because of the cost of the proposed acquisition by Washoe County government. Cashell asserted that the price has increased by more than $40 million, Ms. Johns reported. TV-4 added that the voters approved the acquisition in 2000 but did not report that Reno government is neither involved in the preservation nor committed to paying any of the cost.

Property taxes and personal egos identified as driving Reno's actions
BARBWIRE — Sparks Tribune 4-2-2006

ANOTHER ASSAULT FROM AN UNEXPECTED DIRECTION
April 2, 2006

BALLARDINI RETRENCHMENT — An unusual item was just added to Wednesday's Reno city council agenda. Someone wants to repeal the panel's unanimous 2001 support of preserving the Ballardini Ranch. Councilmembers Dave Aiazzi, Pierre Hascheff and Jessica Sferrazza were part of that 7-0 vote five years ago. It will be item 13F on the Wednesday, April 5, 2006, Reno City Council agenda. The council goes into session at 10:00 a.m. but there is no time-certain for the Ballardini item. If you go to City Hall, prepare to spend some time. That's where SNCAT viewers have an advantage.

Reno-Sparks-Washoe Charter cable subscribers may view the meeting live on SNCAT-13 where it will be rerun at least twice over the next week. See http://www.sncat.org for the schedule. Click here to download the 2001 Ballardini support resolution (No. 5891) in Adobe Acrobat Reader .pdf format.

The April 5 action is officially a "resolution rescinding Resolution No. 5891 and stating the city's position on the proposed acquisition of the Ballardini Ranch by Washoe County." The language of the new resolution should be available early this week.

Please register your opposition to any weakening of City of Reno support, below. You may also call 334-2001, fax 334-2097, send U.S. Mail, e-mail or all of the above. Please make the contacts and spread the word.

UPDATE: In ongoing, complex and multifaceted litigation with Washoe County, Evans Creek, LLC, reportedly admitted under questioning that it asked Mayor Cashell to withdraw the City of Reno's endorsement of Ballardini Ranch preservation.

 

 

According to the supplemental council agenda, the item was scheduled by Mayor Bob Cashell, who publicly supported the Ballardini project in 2004

Cashell urges cooperation on proposal to buy ranch
Reno Gazette-Journal 6-28-2004

Don't be bashful about reminding Hizzoner and his colleagues about their past support. During her 2002 run for office, Councilmember Sharon Zadra endorsed Ballardini Ranch preservation.

City of Reno & Council Contact Information

City of Reno
P.O. Box 1900
Reno, NV 89505

City Manager Charles McNeely — Phone (775) 734-2099, Fax 334-6307

Leann McElroy, Chief of Staff, 334-2022, mcelroy@ci.reno.nv.us
Steven Wright, Community Relations Director, 321-8302, wrights@ci.reno.nv.us
City of Reno Citizens Service Center, 334-2099. renodirect@ci.reno.nv.us

Hizzoner Mayor Bob Cashell, 334-2001, cashellr@cityofreno.com

Ward 1 - Dan Gustin, 334-2011, gustind@cityofreno.com
Ward 2 - Sharon Zadra, 334-2017, zadras@cityofreno.com
Ward 3 - Jessica Sferrazza, 334-2012, sferrazzaj@cityofreno.com
Ward 4 - Dwight Dortch, 334-2015, dortchd@cityofreno.com
Ward 5 - Dave Aiazzi, 334-2016, aiazzi@cityofreno.com
At Large - Pierre Hascheff, 334-2014, hascheff@cityofreno.com

The mayor and councilmembers are also listed in the SBC/ATT white pages. You may also look them up and contact them at home or office.

Please send us copies of your correspondence to the council,
some of which we may post at this website.

   You may contact the mayor, council and staff individually through the hot links, above, or look below: Highlight, copy them as text only, paste them into your e-mail program and send to everyone at once.

<cashellr@cityofreno.com>
<gustind@cityofreno.com>
<zadras@cityofreno.com>
<sferrazzaj@cityofreno.com>
<dortchd@cityofreno.com>
<aiazzi@cityofreno.com>
<hascheff@cityofreno.com>
<mcelroy@ci.reno.nv.us>
wrights@ci.reno.nv.us
<renodirect@ci.reno.nv.us>
<info@protectourwashoe.org>

Who's your representative? The Mayor and Councilman Hascheff are elected citywide. The remaining five councilmembers represent specific geographic districts. To learn who represents your neighborhood, go to the ward map at the city's website,

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RENO, March 28, 2006 — Showing a rare flair for surprise before a large audience comprised mostly of environmental and open space advocates, the Washoe County Commission voted 4-1 to postpone action on funding for the Ballardini Ranch acquisition until April 11.

Among all who spoke, the only opposition came from a perennial public comment period pontificator and someone who represents a secret-membership business lobby.

After public input and before any discussion between board members, Commissioner David Humke moved to postpone the bond issue vote. His motion was seconded by Commission Chair Bob Larkin.

Commissioner Jim Galloway said he would support the motion as long as there is "still the possibility of negotiation."

The Minnesota-based ownership of the Ballardini Ranch has shown little interest in talking, let alone negotiating, for years. Perhaps something has changed. Perhaps not.

Commissioner Pete Sferrazza said he would "reluctantly" support the postponement if there is a chance "to avoid trial." The eminent domain action is scheduled to proceed in Washoe District Court on May 1.

The evening was not without irony. Her sole vote against postponement ranks as the closest commission vice-chair Bonnie Weber has ever come to supporting the project.

The best approach for preservation advocates is continuing to raise a profile with the commissioners. Tuesday, April 11, is the new target, so please contact them now and at least once more before the vote.

Watch this website for more as matters develop. Please send copies of your correspondence here. We may post some of it unless you request otherwise.

Don't be shy about passing along information which you may glean in your travels.

Thanks to all who called, faxed, wrote and showed up on a blizzardy Tuesday spring evening.

3-29-2006 Reno Gazette-Journal story about postponement

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Show Me the Money

    This Tuesday, March 28, 2006, the Washoe County Commission will vote on funding the preservation of the Ballardini Ranch, the last large swath of open space available in the booming Truckee Meadows.

    We already know that commissioners are split, so it is very important to have as many advocates as possible speak in favor of passing the resolution to fund the acquisition.

    The issue will be heard in the commission chambers just after 5:30 p.m. as agenda item 15b.

    The county must have cash promptly available if it wants to acquire the parkland upon the conclusion of court proceedings scheduled to begin in May. It is up to you and many others to make yourselves heard both in advance and especially in person.

    Elected officials require continual reinforcement that public support remains strong.

    Please contact your commissioners upfront, tell your friends to do the same and show up this Tuesday.

    It's crunch time.

Click here to download the staff report and draft resolution in Acrobat Reader.

     2-26-2006— On Tuesday, Feb. 21, the Washoe County Commission started the process of raising money to acquire the Ballardini Ranch.

     Now is the time to take coordinated, low key action to reinforce the commission's majority support of preservation.

     In a 3-1 vote, the commission moved to raise money to purchase the 1,017-acre expanse of open space in southwest Reno adjoining the Toiyabe National Forest. Commissioners Jim Galloway, David Humke and Chairman Bob Larkin, all Republicans, voted for the resolution. Commissioner Pete Sferrazza, D, was absent.

     Vice-Chair Bonnie Weber, R, who cast the only negative vote on July 27, 2004, when the commission voted 4-1 to acquire the ranch, was also the lone no vote this time. Mrs. Weber's arguments against the project were quite interesting, to say the least. If you did not view or tape the rerun on Charter Cable Channel 17, you may order a VHS or DVD from The Media Center, (775) 828-1211. It will cost about $20, but may be less if you tell them you want only the Ballardini segment which takes place about two hours into the 2-21-2006 county commission meeting. You will find the debate entertaining and motivating.

     During discussion on Feb. 21, Commissioner Larkin said that he would vote in the affirmative only because it was the "most conservative thing to do" at this point in the process. He also noted that had he been on the commission in 2004, he would have voted differently.

     Mr. Larkin's soft support and Mrs. Weber's strident opposition have brought expressions of concern from commission watchers. Political leaders need to feel consistent pressure. Otherwise, they may wrongly interpret any lull as a waning of public support.

     Let's take some gentle action. Please call, fax or write commissioner members (and forward copies of the correspondence here.) Full contact info appears below.

MORE COMMISSION NOTES: At the Feb. 21 meeting, Commissioner Humke reminded Mrs. Weber that the Ballardini acquisition by eminent domain arose from circumstances completely different from those surrounding last year's controversial U.S. Supreme Court decision. (In Kelo v. City of New London, Conn., No. 04-108, the court upheld the city's acquisition of private homes for the purpose of transferring the land to a private developer. The court also said that states could legislatively restrict the power.)

     Public opposition stopped a 2005 legislative attempt by a Las Vegas lawmaker to retroactively undo the Ballardini acquisition. See the 2005 archive for the complete story.

     If acquired by the public, current wilderness areas can be preserved as well as facilitate potential amenities similar to those of Rancho San Rafael, Bartley Ranch Park and the Oxbow Nature Study Area. The Ballardini Ranch may well become Washoe County's Central Park.

     Specifically, the commission on Feb. 21 approved a "resolution concerning the financing of a park project for the acquisition of Ballardini Ranch; directing the Clerk to notify the Washoe County Debt Management Commission of the County's proposal to borrow money and to issue its Washoe County, Nevada General Obligation (limited tax) Park Bonds (additionally secured by pledged revenues) in the maximum principal amount of $35,175,000 to evidence such borrowing; setting forth the intent to reimburse certain expenditures with bond proceeds; providing certain details in connection therewith; and providing the effective date hereof."

     Please let the commissioners know of your continuing support.

     Thank you.

Washoe County Commission considers funding Ballardini Ranch purchase
Reno Gazette-Journal 2-19-2006