Supporting Candidates that Support Responsible Development

This summary was written by frequent contributor and responsible development advocate Margo Piscevich. Margo is a long-time Reno resident and retired attorney. She has appeared many times in in front of the Reno City Council for public comment along with submitted significant written contributions in support of or against development plans in front of the various planning commissions.

We need to support candidates that look at responsible developments that bring our community together. The Washoe County School Board has immense power and responsibility when it comes to the construction of new school buildings, zoning, curriculum, and more.

Washoe County School Board

As you may recall, I wrote an article during the primary elections regarding candidates for the Washoe County School Board; not much has changed other than the fact that Beth Smith is no longer on the ballot. She received over 50% of the vote in the primary election and has automatically won her seat. Unfortunately due to a printing error Beth will be on the ballot but Washoe County will not be counting that race as, again, she won automatically in the primary.

While Beth Smith will be retaining her seat, Robert Beadles still has radical-right candidates in three races, and has - so far - spent $250,000 in an attempt to, “takeover,” the school district.

That’s why I am asking you to vote for the following three candidates for the Washoe County School Board:

Ellen Minetto, District C

Joseph Rodriguez, District D

Adam Mayberry, District F

Their opponents, Colleen Westlake, Melanie Sutton, and Graeme Reid. These are RADICAL RIGHT candidates - Melanie Sutton even claimed to be a domestic terrorist during public comment and threatened to, “blow up the school district.”

These three candidates also took a pledge which includes uneducated statements about wanting to ban the teaching of, “transexual theories,” removing protections for transgender students, and not supporting educators and teachers with, “mainstream,” values.

Board of Regents

With respect to Higher Education and the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents, please vote for Steven Laden for District 11; despite not being a professional educator, he has been an education advocate for over 30 years, has been a business owner, and has an extensive financial services background. He has been Endorsed by former and current educators at all levels, including current faculty members at the University of Nevada, Reno, along with Former Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Regent, Frankie Sue Del Papa.

Steven’s opponent Jeff Downs is a proud Trump supporter and favors unpopular positions such as concealed carry of firearms on NSHE campuses, a position that the University of Nevada, Reno has fought against for years. Jeff Downs IS NOT the candidate for the Board of Regents.

Please forward this to your family and friends. Our community needs the above candidates to ensure that Washoe County has a quality education system for the next generation. 

Margo Piscevich