The State Of Gaming, North,
South, In Between

by Johnny Gunn

When we talk about gaming in Nevada, we’re almost talking two distinct, nay, three distinct areas; Northern Nevada, where gaming has been suffering for several years; Southern Nevada, where gaming is thriving, building, successful; and Rural Nevada, where gaming just tools along, where most people are more interested in the price of gold and silver, or the latest grazing fee increase, than the roll of the dice.

The South

A merger of giants has taken place in the south, Boyd Gaming and Coast Casinos have become one, and the Nevada Gaming Commission has given final approval for Donald Trump to be licensed in the state. Although Trump hasn’t said what his plans are, his willingness to go before the control board and commission to get licensed is a positive sign for gaming in southern Nevada. Trump has said he has no plans to build or open properties in the north.

Although a shock when it happened, the closing of Binion’s Horseshoe Club in downtown Las Vegas has not proved to be a deterrent to the overall gaming picture. Harrah’s all but immediately announced they were purchasing the properties, and within the last week, announced that MTR Gaming Group, a West Virginia organization, has signed an agreement to buy the historic hotel/casino property and jointly manage the operation along with Harrah’s Entertainment.

That will require Gaming Commission approval. MTR would own Binion’s Horseshoe, and operate it through a subsidiary called Speakeasy Gaming of Freemont, Inc. Binion’s is expected to be open and operating by April.

MTR already has gaming property in Nevada, the Speedway Casino at the Ramada Inn in North Las Vegas, and operated a racetrack and gaming area in West Virginia. Binion’s was closed on January 9 of this year. The Gaming Control Board is expected to begin their process during a meeting scheduled for March 3.

Following his approval by the Gaming Commission, Trump said he would like to be involved in a high end condominium project in southern Nevada, but there are no concrete plans at the moment. His license to hold a position at the Riviera Hotel/Casino gives him a foot in the door to Nevada gaming, he said.

He was questioned repeatedly about northern Nevada operations, and never made any commitment at all, slyly saying at one point, “You never know.” Without giving any strong statement about holding stakes in Indian gaming, Trump also indicated he may or may not get further involved.

The North

In the north, casinos continue to close, almost as regularly as Interstate 80 during the winter months, and figures from the Nevada Gaming Control Board related to casino earnings, or as they prefer calling them, casino winnings, continue to plunge. Are the casinos in Reno, Sparks, Carson City, and Lake Tahoe suffering from Indian gaming in northern California, or are there other problems? A search for that answer dominated a recent conference held at Harrah’s Reno.

Somber figures were offered indicating that part of the problem has been the over building of casinos in the area, and ignoring the local population by the larger operations. Casinos that cater to the local population have, if not flourished, made considerably more money than their larger brothers have, and this is proven, some at the conference said, by their resale value. It was pointed out that a major hotel casino in downtown Reno sold recently for slightly less than $7 million, while a locals hotel casino in neighboring Sparks sold for $38 million.

Many believe that Reno has changed dramatically over the years, and the hotel casinos have not kept up. Convention and conference business has been lost because of this, and to bring some sort of stability back to the gaming interests, they will have to work together to rebuild their concerns. A new events center is being built in downtown Reno, directly across Fourth Street from the National Bowling Stadium, and this is expected to bring considerable convention and conference business to the area.

It’s been pointed out repeatedly that northern Nevada is one of the nicest places in the world to live, and population increases prove the point. With some of the best skiing in the world just half an hour from downtown Reno, winter sports enthusiasts have built homes right up the sides of the Carson Range of the Sierra Nevada, while those who prefer summer sports such as sailing, fishing, hiking, mountain climbing, et al, have joined their winterized brothers in building and moving to the area.

Along with a magnificent life style, northern Nevada has other things going for it besides a gaming base. Located on a main inter continental rail line and highway, the area is prospering by way of warehousing, manufacturing, and distribution. The Reno Tahoe International Airport also thrives from more than passenger service because of the manufacturing and distribution companies.

While gaming may be flagging somewhat, the rest of the economy of northern Nevada is not. Home sales, both new and resale, are healthy, and investment in local businesses and business properties seems to be just as healthy. At the recent gaming conference, at least one speaker seemed to indicate that Reno will thrive as a community, but maybe not as a gaming center, that it will simply be a very nice community in which to live and work, and one that has gaming, hosts conventions and conferences, and brags continually on its excellent life style offerings.

There are definite reasons for tourists to come to northern Nevada’s communities, besides gaming. If Lake Tahoe isn’t on the menu, there are historic towns, Virginia City, and Bodie, Nevada’s capital, Carson City, and the magnificent Sierra Nevada Mountains. For many years Reno went out of its way to ignore these benefits, and only recently has come to the realization that they are a benefit to the overall picture of why someone should visit.

Rural Nevada

In towns like Tonopah, Ely, Elko, Winnemucca, Yerington, and others, gaming of course exists, but it isn’t the lifeblood of the community. In some, mining plays a much more important role than tourism or gaming. The first thing someone will look for in the newspaper is the current price of gold and silver. In others, the leading economic indicator is ranching and farming, with gaming as a side benefit. In those communities, if Washington starts talking about grazing fee increases, you can forget about discussing getting a royal on the video poker machine at your local watering hole.

Small casinos exist, playing to the local’s trade primarily, while in other communities, the casinos play to mostly empty houses except for certain times of the year. In eastern Nevada, hunting season is an anticipated time for gaming earnings, in central Nevada, summer tourist season is welcomed with open doors and bright lights.

Conclusion

There is more to the economic stability of Nevada than just gaming. Some geographic areas are more dependent on gaming than others, and that fact of life is more important to a community’s well being than the table earnings of a hotel or casino. Reno will thrive as a community because it has so much to offer outside gaming, while Las Vegas will thrive as a community because it offers more in the way of gaming attractions than anywhere else in the world.

And towns like Elko and Ely will be with us for a long time because they offer a lifestyle, economic opportunity, not found in big cities. Ely is suffering right now, but community spirit is not suffering, and with a major railroad tourist attraction on one hand and a National Park on another, Ely will be around for a long time.

First Lady Laura Bush Brought Her Librarian Values, Thoughts In Recent Visit To Las Vegas

In Las Vegas to promote part of her husband’s No Child Left Behind program, and his reelection campaign, Laura Bush visited one of Clark County’s premiere schools, the Advanced Technologies Academy. During the visit, and on cue as a former librarian, the first lady developed a discussion with several of the students over some of the writing of Fyodor Dostoevsky. She said Dostoevsky is her favorite author.

Talking with reporters, briefly, she said it was her opinion the No Child Left Behind programs were working. She acknowledged that some states weren’t happy with the programs, but she also pointed out that the money, some $72 million more available just in Nevada, for 2005, was a big step forward. She said, “There’s more money in the No Child Left Behind act than there’s been in any previous federal law ever before.”

Some states don’t participate in the program that has about $6 billion set aside for it. In Nevada, some school districts have not used their allocations as well. “The point of testing,” the first lady said, “is not to punish people. The point of testing is so you know what you need to do.” She said one can’t solve a problem unless it’s diagnosed as a problem.

(Ed. Note. See letters to the editor, this edition.)

Seven Vie For Empty Supreme Court Seat As Deadline Passes

The Commission on Judicial Selection is set to choose three Supreme Court candidates from a field of seven, to fill the seat vacated by the death of Justice Myron Leavitt in January. Supreme Court Chief Justice Miriam Shearing said three names would be passed onto Governor Kenny Guinn who would make the final choice.

According to the commission, they expect to interview the seven during the week of March 15. Of the seven, six live in southern Nevada.

The Seven:

• Clark County Chief District Court Judge Michael L. Douglas, Las Vegas
• Former District Judge Don P. Chairez, Henderson
• Former State Senator and current probate commission with the District Court, Don W. Ashworth, Las Vegas
• Justice of the Peace, Douglas E. Smith, Las Vegas
• Richard A. Prato, Las Vegas
• Gregory E. Smith, Las Vegas
• David Hamilton, Reno

Although candidates for political office don’t file until the May filing period, whichever of the seven candidates picked for Justice Leavitt’s vacancy, will only serve until the November election, then must either run to retain the seat, or step aside. Leavitt’s term expires in January of 2007.

Besides Leavitt’s seat, two others will need to be filled during the 2004 election. Chief Justice Shearing has announced that she won’t stand for reelection, and Justice Deborah Agosti has announced that she will seek reelection.

Shearing is the first woman to be elected to Nevada’s Supreme Court, and should District Judge Douglas win a seat, he would be the first African American to fill a seat on the high court.

Comments regarding any of the seven candidates listed above will be accepted by the Commission on Judicial Selection until March 5. The may be made in writing to Ron Titus, commission secretary, Administrative office of the Courts, Supreme Court Building, 201 South Carson Street, Suite 250, Carson City, NV 89701.

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MaryJane Back On The Ballot?

Voters in Nevada soundly defeated a ballot question to legalize marijuana during the last general election, but backers of the proposal are going to try again, according to a report from the Secretary of State’s office. A petition has been filed seeking to legalize the currently illegal drug.

The petition was filed by The Committee to Regulate and Control Marijuana, if it is accepted by the general populace and the legislature, Nevada would become the first state to legalize pot. The committee is an off shoot of a national group called Marijuana Policy Project, and they spent well over $2 million dollars in their failed attempt two years ago.

This is the same committee that has been running TV ads saying Nevada’s teenagers smoke or at least try pot more often than those of northern Europe. They say that legalizing the drug will put state regulations into affect, keeping drug dealers out of the picture.

To qualify for the November ballot, the petitions must have 51,244 validated signatures before June 15. If it passes in November, it would have to be voted on again in 2006. In 2002, their qualifying petitions held well over 100,000 valid signatures, but failed by a large majority at the polls

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Long Time Nevada Rancher Back On The Ballot

Although the date when filing for political office is still two months away, several long time political office holders have come through lately, announcing their intentions. The latest to do so is northern Nevada rancher Dean Rhoads. Senator Rhoads, republican, serves the Northern Nevada Senate District, and since reapportionment, that now includes White Pine County. It’s believed the district is among the largest in the nation, and represents about 70 percent of the state’s area, including all or part of eight counties, Elko, Eureka, Lander, Humboldt, Pershing, Lincoln, Nye, and White Pine.

Rhoads lives in the tiny community of Tuscarora and serves as chairman of the Natural Resources Committee. He has always been a staunch defender of open public lands. At his announcement, Rhoads said, “It’s important that our public lands be available, not only to the livestock industry, but also mining, sportsmen, and recreationists.”

Rhoads is the only full time rancher serving in Nevada’s Senate. He also serves as chairman of the Public Lands Committee, and is the Majority Whip.

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Voter Registrations Dropped From Lists Because Of Inactivity

Clark County Registrar of Voters Larry Lomax has placed almost 70,000 names from the registered voter’s list onto an inactive list. Either these people haven’t participated in a recent election or they have moved and not changed their address with the registrar. Lomax is quick to point out this doesn’t mean these people can’t vote, it means in order to do so, they must make their registration correct.

According to Secretary of State Dean Heller, as of January 31, the number of registered voters in the Silver State has dropped to 846,487, with republicans outnumbering democrats 352,730 to 339,503. There are also 128,039 non-partisan voters registered, 16,270 Independent Americans, 4,792 Libertarian voters, 2,459 Green Party voters, 872 Natural Law voters registered, 196 Reform electors, and 1,626 various other smaller party voters.

Nevada has three congressional districts, two in Clark County, and one for the rest of the state. Clark County also has about 70 percent of registered voters in Nevada. For a complete look at elections in Nevada, go to http://www.secretaryofstate.biz.

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Moncrief Grand Jury In Recess Until After March 2

Speculation is running rampant at this time, as the grand jury hearing evidence of wrongdoing in the campaign of Las Vegas City Councilwoman Janet Moncrief takes a break from their investigation. The last person to be called to testify was former councilman and former Moncrief aide Steve Miller.

Earlier in the last day of testimony before their unexpected break, former campaign manager Tony Dane testified as well. Neither Dane nor Miller would discuss their meeting with the jurors.

The grand jury is investigating campaign practices of the Moncrief election at the behest of Secretary of State Dean Heller who had asked Nevada Investigations Department to look into allegations of wrongdoing. It has been suggested the campaign accepted extraordinary contributions that were not reported, and that expenditures were made that also went unreported. Some reports have put both in the neighborhood of $35,000 to $100,000.

During the campaign, flyers and leaflets were distributed, allegedly from other sources than the Moncrief campaign, but actually from them. The allegations were denied at the time by Steve Miller who now says the allegations were true. It’s believed that Gaming figure Bob Stupak, reportedly Moncrief’s latest squeeze, was the money source behind the flyers and leaflets.

It’s also been alleged that Moncrief’s campaign hired hundreds of teenagers to distribute leaflets, and paid them, as much as $35,000 total, in cash. None of that appears on the Moncrief Contributions and Expenses reports.

Prior to her election to the Las Vegas City Council, Moncrief, a registered nurse, worked in a local hospital.

At the time the grand jury adjourned, February 24, the chief attorney for the AG’s office said the adjournment was to gather additional evidence. The earliest the grand jury can meet would be March2, but there is not indication as we go to press that that will happen.

Congressional Hearings Slated
In Bid To Build Railroad To Yucca

Nevada representatives Jon Porter, R-NV, and Shelley Berkley, D-NV, will host a congressional subcommittee looking into the Energy Department’s attempt to build a 300 plus miles railroad through southern and central Nevada. The House Transportation Committee hearing, scheduled for March 5, will be held at the Clark County Government Center, 500 South Grand Central Parkway, in Las Vegas.

Representative Porter complained about the Energy Department (DOE), planning a rail corridor while judicial hearings are taking place. “I remain deeply troubled,” he said, “That the DOE has acted before Nevada’s legal challenge to Yucca has concluded.”

Both Porter and Berkley will attend the hearing, but only Porter sits on the House Transportation Committee, and Porter is vice chairman of the House Railroad Subcommittee, sponsor of the hearing.

Porter has pointed out safety issues with transporting nuclear waste across the country by rail, or by truck. He says too many questions exist about the safety of transporting nuclear waste through so many towns, cities, and communities across the country.

The subcommittee chairman, Jack Quinn, R-NY, says he has concern for the “… safety and security of American’s railroad system.” Quinn is expected to attend the hearing.

Among those expected to attend the hearings are former Nevada Senator Dick Bryan, and Bob Loux. Loux is executive director of the Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects. Members of the Energy Department, and the Surface Transportation Board are also expected to testify.

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Highly Radioactive Waste, By The Truckload On Its Way To Yucca

Beginning in May, another 3,750 truckloads of highly radioactive waste will begin an 11 state odyssy, arriving in Nevada for burial at the Nevada Test Site’s low level waste site. The $400 million project will bring the remains of nuclear arms from Fernald, Ohio over a year and a half.

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) contractor for the project is Fluor Fernald. Fernald says the waste is the most potent ever shipped. It comes from a mine in the Belgian Congo region of Africa and is far more deadly than that mined in the U.S.

Uranium was processed at the Ohio plant during the cold war for nuclear weapons. The plant is being closed. The federal Superfund has named the plant as one of its sites, indicating the site is extremely dangerous. Fluor Fernald’s silos are about half a century old and deteriorating. According to one source, these silos sit within 1,000 feet of a residential area.

Considered highly radioactive, the waste is regarded as lower than that of spent fuel. It is spent fuel that the Yucca site is being developed to hold. The test site waste disposal area has been in use for some time.

None of the almost 4,000 trucks are expected to travel through Las Vegas proper, or over Hoover Dam, however they will travel through Amarillo, TX, Oklahoma City, OK, and many other large cities. None of the trucks is expected to have a police escort during the trip.

Congressman Jim Gibbons, R-NV, says he is concerned about the shipments, as is Bob Loux, administrator of the Nevada Nuclear Waste Project Office. The caskets are expected to be buried in trenches with only about 17 feet of fill covering them. The caskets themselves are built of steel, about a half inch thick. The site can expect in the neighborhood of 15 flatbed trucks arriving daily, according to Fluor Fernald.

According to DOE specifications, the waste is not typical low level waste, nor is it high level. According to Loux, it’s about in the middle between the two. High level waste consists of spent reactor fuel, sometimes as pellets, sometimes as liquid, from nuclear reactors. It requires serious shielding.

There is a middle level called transuranic, mostly plutonium tainted waste. This product comes from the building of nuclear weapons.

Low level waste generally consists of everything that isn’t either high level or transuranic and can be medical items, research material, or other gear.

Nevada’s Legislative GOP Joined
By California’s Legislative GOP

by Johnny Gunn

Nevada’s republican lawmakers in the assembly who have appealed the so called supermajority tax law to the U.S. Supreme Court have found some brothers in California. Members of the Pacific Legal Foundation and 36 California lawmakers have filed friend of the court briefs with the high court. The action stems from the last legislative session.

Nevada is one of 15 states to require a two thirds majority before new taxes can be imposed, called the supermajority tax law. The law came about by way of petition drive, two overwhelming votes of confidence by the general public, and signed into law by the governor.

The Supreme Court hearing pits Governor Kenny Guinn, the rest of the legislature, and Nevada’s Supreme Court against the 14 GOP lawmakers. Interestingly, Guinn has not filed a brief, and that may cause a delay in the proceedings. The court may ask for such a brief. The rest of the legislature did file their brief.

During the legislative session in 2003, the lawmakers could not reach agreement on a massive $836 million tax increase, and following two special sessions, the governor called on the state Supreme Court to force the issue. The court, in a 6-1 decision, decreed that Nevada’s Supermajority rule was unconstitutional, but only in this one respect, leaving open the question of whether or not the two thirds majority vote would stand up in future tax cases.

The question also raises doubts about the validity of that rule in the other 14 states that have a similar supermajority rule, including California. The California Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jack O’Connell has said he plans to file a lawsuit similar to the one filed by Nevada Governor Guinn. O’Connell would file with the California Supreme Court.

It was that statement that prompted the California lawmakers to ask for friend of the court status with the Nevada legislators.

The Buzz Around the State

Compiled by our Correspondents

CARSON CITY
Fallon Cancer Cluster

(Capital News Bureau) --- An investigation into a recent cancer cluster in the Fallon area has concluded with virtually no answers, other than, “At this time, we don’t know the cause.” The report, following three years of investigation by the state and federal authorities, was not well accepted by those closest to the high incidence of leukemia in children in Churchill Country.

The Nevada State Health Division along with the Federal Center For Disease Control handled most of the investigation, looking into a possible cause. Fallon is home to a large naval air station, and many feared leaks from jet fuel pipelines might have been responsible, but according to the report, that isn’t the cause. There were also questions about a high incidence of tungsten in the local water.

Tungsten in a naturally occurring metal, and is high in the Fallon area. There are many tungsten mines operating throughout Nevada, and several are in Churchill County. Tungsten is not considered the cause of the high cancer rate. Another possible source is high levels of arsenic in the drinking water supplies to Fallon.

The last person living in Churchill County and diagnosed with leukemia was in December, 2001, but there was a case of a person who previously lived in the area contracting the disease in July, 2002.

The report indicates health authorities don’t believe the cluster is a random event, but there is no known cause for such a high incidence, either. Among recommendations in the report, identify arsenic sources that seep into the water supply, and a research review panel be made up to review this cancer cluster and others that may develop.

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Exhibitor’s Tax

(Carson City) --- There were no changes made to what might affect some exhibitors showing their crafts and arts ware in Nevada. The recent massive tax increases forced into law by Governor Kenny Guinn will have those who offer their goods for sale at street fairs, festivals, and the like, pay a $100 tax. It only affects those arts and crafts sellers who make more than $22,000 from their exhibitions.

Moms and pops that go to the farmer’s market with some woodwork or watercolors, probably won’t be affected. It’s expected the next session of the legislature will take another look at this tax. According to at least one legislator, who wishes to remain anonymous, “this tax is designed for the professional, not the little guy who does his work in his garage or basement.”

In California, a similar tax is just $7 while in nearby Arizona and Oregon, the fee is $5. Will the tax keep vendors from showing the wares in Nevada? Senator Dina Titus, D-LV doesn’t think so. She said, “I can’t imagine anyone will be driven away by this fee.”

•••

Big Bucks From Homeland Security

(Carson City) --- Nevada counties are sharing a $26.5 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security, some of which will also go to state agencies and some to Indian Reservations and Colonies. The money will be distributed by the state.

UNR is also getting some federal research funding. A $2 million grant was given to the university by Nevada Senator Harry Reid, (D-NV). The funding is to continue research into sensor technology, and comes by way of Homeland Security.

One of the projects to be worked on is electron textile research. The university researchers will be looking to develop textiles that have the ability to detect radioactive, biochemical, and biological hazards.

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A Hike In Grazing Fees Coming Your Way

(Washington, DC) --- The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service have announced new grazing fees. The new rate took effect March 1. The fee will be raised from $1.35 per animal unit to $1.43. An animal unit is the grazing of one horse, a cow and calf, or five sheep or goats for one month on public land.

The rate will cover at least 16 western states. There hasn’t been a response from Nevada’s ranchers to this point. The old fee of $1.35 was the lowest level allowed, and that was set by a 1986 presidential order.

Storey County
Virgina City has no balls

(Virginia City) --- It’s an annual event now, high in the Virginia Range, where once Basque shepherds moved their flocks across the face of Sun Mountain, where grizzled old hard rock miners blasted tons of silver from the mother rock, and today; blasphemy.

They’re buying the damn mountain oysters from New Zealand.

According to Sam Shad, publicist for the Virginia City Chamber of Commerce, “There aren’t enough lamb fries in the state of Nevada.” If long time Storey County Senator Jim Slattery (Slats to his friends), could hear this, Sun Mountain would explode in a tempest.

If Johnny Borda was still running the State Office of Traffic Safety, and helping the Borda family sheep ranch in Douglas County, he would block the roads. It’s probably a good thing that former governor, former U.S. Senator Paul Laxalt, a progeny of long time Basque shepherds, has his offices in Washington, D.C., for the Comstock Air Force would be brought back into existence, and wipe out this heretical offense.

The oyster fry will take place on Saturday, March 13, and for a tasty of these tasty testicles, just fork over 50 cents. The event begins at noon.

To seriously make this weekend successful, Virginia City will have their annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade at eleven that same morning. So, that means there will be kilts, bagpipes, and platters full of mountain oysters for all.

And to all, a holly jolly.

Clark County
Golf Course Fees Behind Recall

(Boulder City) --- With well over a month to go, it appears as though the backers of a petition calling for the recall of Boulder City’s mayor, Bob Ferraro has more than enough signatures to put the matter on a ballot. The recall is also against Councilman Mike Pacini.

The committee needed 1,248 valid signatures against Ferraro and at least 992 against Pacini. So far, petitions with 1,437 signatures against Ferraro have been turned in, and 1,286 against Pacini.

Committee chair Matthew DiTeresa began the campaign in early January, and had the help of Alton Jensen and Gerald Moleton.

It’s expected that Bill Smith and Arnold McLean will have their names placed on the ballot to replace the two city officials. DiTeresa said it was “fiscal recklessness” in regards to the operation of Boulder Creek Golf Course that led to the petition drive. He says the city has lost more than $3.5 million since the course opened slightly more than a year ago.

•••

Ethics Violations Filed Against ‘da mayor’

(Las Vegas) --- An ethics violation complaint has been filed against Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman. Again. He will be required to answer the complaint at some time during the first week of March.

The complaint charged the mayor of using his name and position to influence folks gathered by the mayor at a cocktail party in Washington, D.C., to promote his son’s new political enterprise. Goodman was in D.C. as a representative of Sin City during a recent U.S. Conference of Mayors.

The complaint was filed by Robert Rose, often called an ethics watchdog. Rose is a mechanic in Las Vegas, sharing the name of former Nevada Lt. Governor and Supreme Court Justice.

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Growing Pains Abound

(Las Vegas) --- There’s more to a community’s growth than just an increased tax base, and those in the water business, and the judicial enclave in Clark County have learned this the hard way. Drought conditions have brought serious questions about whether there will be enough water for those living in the Vegas basin now, more or less when all the growth is over with.

And, the court system has seen tremendous strains put on because of the large number of new residents. The District Courts have seen an increase from 67,409 cases in 2002 to 77,136 cases last year. In Las Vegas Justice Court, the load has jumped from 101,528 cases in 2002, to 104,889 last year.

More than just the number of cases is involved. Space for courts, for attorneys, for those charged, and those called as witnesses is at a premium, and there isn’t enough money to build new. A new 17-story courthouse, approved by voters in 1996, is two years behind schedule, and already out of date according to most. There is serious doubt the new court building can be opened this year.

Washoe County
Incline Village Taxes May Rise

(Reno) --- The Washoe County Assessor, Bob McGowan (D-Washoe), has been told to review and consider raising the assessed valuation on condominiums at Incline Village, a high end community along the shores of Lake Tahoe. “The County Board of Equalization found a consistent pattern of condominiums being assessed at 40 to 50 percent of actual market value,” according to John Faulkner, Chief Deputy Assessor. Faulkner said most Incline Village property is assessed in the 70 percent range.

McGowan said, “We’ve been conservative in our approach to valuation.” Faulkner added that condominium values fluctuate more widely than other properties.

The Board of Equalization is expected to continue investigating the assessments in the Tahoe area of Washoe County.

Douglas County
The Eagle Has Landed

(Gardnerville) --- In the spring, there are two things you can count on in Nevada’s Carson Valley, and neither have anything to do with the weather. That simply can’t be counted on. Anywhere in Nevada, for that matter.

1. Cows and Ewes will give birth.

2. Bald eagles will descend on the valley.

A drive through the area will prove the point. Every spring, bald eagles, the very symbol of America, come to feast on the afterbirth from thousands of cows and sheep. Usually as many as 50 eagles will be in the area during the birthing season.

The eagle has a tainted reputation on one hand, and is vaunted on another. It’s estimated there may have been half a million bald eagles at the beginning of America, but Benjamin Franklin wanted the Turkey to be out national symbol. He called the eagle nothing more than a garbage collector.

The eagle’s population decreased to as few as 400 by 1963, but has rebounded to somewhere over 13,000 since it was put on the endangered list. When the number of birds in Alaska is counted as well, the total number of American Bald Eagles comes to about 75,000.

There has been at least one pair of bald eagles that call Nevada their nesting home during the past few years. They are photographed often in their tree house near Lake Lahontan. This year, it’s estimated that as many as 200 may be calling the Silver State home.

According to the state wildlife division, about 60 bald eagles are calling an area around Lake Mead and Lake Mojave home as well. Reports of a pair trying to nest in the Pahranagat Valley have also been heard.