Retain or Re-Elect?

Margo Piscevich is photographed in her home.

Editors note: These are independent statements by Margo Piscevich and are not supported or endorsed by the campaigns of any candidates mentioned, or any PACs. Save Our Reno is supportive of candidates who are for responsible and thoughtful in their actions and not directed by reactionary, partisan politics.

It was my honor to be a member of the City of Reno Charter Committee. I believe each life experience teaches us something and this appointment taught me a lot. This committee consists of 13-members; seven are appointed by the Reno City Council and the balance are appointed by the State Senate Majority and Minority, and the Assembly Majority and Minority, persons represented by the residents of the City of Reno. The meetings are open to the public. Does the public attend? No.

The vast majority of Reno citizens are not aware of the Charter Committee but they should be concerned.The committee works on issues they believe to be helpful for the citizens of Reno and the members of the Reno City Council.

The Reno City Charter is what drives the city government. The Charter allows the City Council to appoint or call for a special election if there are city council vacancies. Two years ago, Neoma Jardon resigned from the council in August 2022, and then a few weeks later Oscar Delgado resigned in late September 2022. The City Council, instead of calling for a special election – appointed two members. You have Kathleen Taylor representing Ward 5 (soon to become Ward 1) who moved into her Ward shortly before her appointment, and Miguel Martinez representing Ward 3, who only lived in his ward for six months. 

These appointments need to cease and that was what this year’s Charter Committee recommended; a Bill Draft Request at the Nevada State Legislature to “force” an election when the appointment would be longer than 180 days (or 6 months). In the case of Taylor and Martinez, they have both been city council members for two years and are unelected, appointed by the council not elected by those they represent; so half of a full term as appointed officials.

In July 2024 when the Charter Committee met with the Reno City Council it was obvious the city council members were not interested in the committee’s proposed charter change and that the proposal would not be sent to the State Legislature for a change in the Reno Charter. Some city council members do not want special elections when there is a vacancy on the City Council, as they have the ability to appoint individuals that agree with their philosophy, and will vote accordingly, which is evidenced by their last two appointments, Kathleen Taylor and Miguel Martinez. 

Yes, appointments are less costly to the city, but the pitfalls are many. The three candidates running in Ward 1, Ward 3, and Ward 5 – Taylor, Martinez, and Reese have a leg up in fundraising. These three candidates announced their decision to seek to be retained (remember Taylor and Martinez were never elected) and started raising funds in 2023. The visual is a stark reality when reviewing the Nevada Secretary of State Contribution and Expense Reports. How can any challenger be expected to go up against an appointed council member with these amounts of campaign contributions? 

For the period of January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 Miguel Martinez raised a total of $65,323.00. As of June 30th he raised an additional $85,226.00 since January 1, 2024 totaling $150,549 since January 1, 2023. - see Martinez.

For the period of January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 Devon Reese raised a total of  $205,000.65. As of June 30th he raised an additional $77,956.00 since January 1, 2024 totaling $282,956.65 raised since  January 1, 2023. Reese was appointed to his At-Large seat in 2018. During redistricting in 2023 he had a leg up on fundraising before residents even knew where the lines would be drawn for his newly created Ward. - see Reese.

For the period of January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 Kathleen Taylor raised a total of $109,883.11. As of June 30th she raised an additional $95,102.00 since January 1, 2024 totaling $204,985.11 since January 1, 2023. - see Taylor.

These appointed council members have been given the gift of incumbency, they are asking to be “re-elected,” or rather, retained, when they have not been elected, but merely appointed. They are able to gain access to contributors, unions, organizations, lobbyists, that a newly announced candidate could not.  

Residents should inquire of Devon Resse for his written commitment, if elected, to serve the four years as a Ward 5 Reno City Council member. There have been comments made that he will be running for Reno Mayor in 2026. Hillary Schieve went on the record at a City Council meeting in July, she WILL NOT be resigning as mayor, as has been rumored to appoint Devon Reese her successor - again the gift of incumbency. As many residents were relieved by her statement, they still want a commitment from Reese to serve his four years and not simply be doing time as a council member until he can run for mayor, because then there would be another “chosen one” appointed to the Ward 5 seat unless someone changes the Reno City Charter at the 2025 Nevada Legislature. I am hopeful Devon Reese will run for Mayor as Reno voters should be able to vote for the Mayor.