The Storey Teller News and commentary on what’s really going on in Storey County.
As I mentioned in the last article, the June 18th County Commission Meeting was one for the ages.
There was so much to digest, I am writing several articles on it (all delayed by a huge college graduation celebration for my daughter this weekend). However, I am starting at the end with this article.
During public comment, I made my customary plea for public comment to be moved to the front of the meeting as well as the end. I went on to let the Commission know that Governor Sisolak signed SB287 into law last week. Although watered down by amendments from state and local government entities, it puts teeth into the Public Record Request process.
The Storey Teller has 9 record requests stalled at the District Attorney Anne Langer’s Office. She has allowed two time sensitive requests to get so moldy they are no longer relevant. This type of behavior will cost county taxpayers real money once SB287 becomes law on October 1, 2019.
The original bill called for civil penalties for obstructive public officials. If public employees demonstrated chronic foot-dragging, they would have been personally liable for the fines. Amendments by lobbyists watered the bill down so that the taxpayers have to pay for this poor form.
The original bill called for a $100 a day fine for delayed requests. Lobbyists succeeded in getting this removed entirely.
None the less, SB287 will greatly enhance the free flow of information. As a reporter, I use public records to sort out the he said from the she said with facts.
One of the requests in cryogenic storage at Langer’s Public Record Cold Storage Vault is the one requesting proof of Commissioner Carmona’s thus far unsubstantiated claim that The Teller cost the county $100,000 in 2018 with vexatious record requests. In response to his claim, I immediately posted all my 2018 requests and put a price tag on them of perhaps $250.
The $100,000 claim is laughable on it’s face, and because Carmona decided to make it a matter of public record, I am demanding evidence to substantiate his claim.
Although he promised the public to deliver proof when he found it, he has refused to do so in communications with me:
Good Evening Mr. Toll, Evidence? I’ve repeated myself numerous times on the chat group that the information came via Hugh Gallagher. You keep asking for “evidence” and I’ve repeated myself to the point of exhaustion.
Somehow Carmona thinks that “Hugh told me” can be used in place evidence.
It reminds me of the time my mom told me about the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny. Or the time UN Secretary Colin Powell told the world that Saddam Hussein had Weapons of Mass Destruction. It’s. Not. Evidence.
However, I need to point out what should be clear to anyone paying attention.
This whole public record request howling is pure, 100% Saul Alinsky tactics meant to distract from the potentially criminal behavior happening in broad daylight.
Handing out half a million dollars in bonuses to the highest paid county employees. Covering the potentially illegal behavior of a golden Good Old Boy. Land giveaways to the county oligarch. Buying a building from a Good Old Girl that will simply be a bandaid on the severed limb.
Pay no attention to the men in front of the curtain. Pay attention to the evil free press.
¡Hasta la Victoria, Siempre!
Below are the public record requests on the shelves of Anne Langer’s cold storage vault:
