Vol. 1,
No. 15
June
1,
2004
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CRIMINAL DEFENSE |
COPYWRITING
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Nevada's Homeland Security Agency In A Major Turmoil
Bussell Steps Down Togliatti Pushed Up
by Johnny Gunn
There are 23 members of the Homeland Security Commission and three staff members. The chairman of the Commission is also the Governor's Homeland Security Advisor, and except for the chairman's salary of $102,000 annually, the costs of the commission and advisory office are paid for by the state. Outgoing Homeland Advisor Jerry Bussell would like to see most of that changed. Along with someone's perception that he has done something dreadfully wrong.
The number of commissioners needs to be cut considerably, he says, "and there needs to be an executive director and staff." He didn't say real staff, like more warm bodies, but it was implied. He said the Governor's Advisor should not be the same person as the Executive Director of the Commission.
"Furthermore," he says, "there never has been an $86 million communications contract." It's that point that sticks in the retired Army Colonel's throat. Bussell resigned his post effective May 28 amid some rhetorical questions brought to the surface by a Las Vegas columnist, among which was whether or not Bussell was engineering a plan for a statewide communications system (that's the $86 million) to be purchased through a lobbyist who works for the same law firm as Bussell's wife.
One of the interesting points in the drama is that the state won't be purchasing a communications system. Individual communities and entities will be, and allocations for Homeland Security funds, made available during the last week of May only total $26.5 million.
On January 8 of this year, Governor Kenny Guinn appointed George Togliatti director of the Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety. Guinn has named Togliatti as an interim replacement for Bussell.
It's the concept of a statewide communications system for first responders in the event of a major terrorist attack or other catastrophe that appears to be at the heart of the Bussell resignation, although most of those involved are quick to point out that the contracts that will be let won't be coming from the Homeland Security Advisor, but from individual counties and responding agencies. Bussell introduced the lobbyist for M/A-COM, one of the major distributors of such systems, to Frank Siracusa, Director of Nevada's emergency Management, the state rendition of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). That lobbyist works for the same law firm of which Bussell's wife is a partner.
There have been several names mentioned in other press reports dealing with this subject that may also need to be put under a magnifying glass. The lobbyist involved, Jim Endress works for McDonald Carano Law in Reno, the same firm of which Bussell's wife is a partner, so we have that connection, but there are other connections.
Frank Siracusa works for George Togliatti, newly named Homeland Security Advisor. Another person who has been quoted in news reports dealing with Bussell is Clark County Emergency Management Director Jim O'Brien. You guessed it; O'Brien works for Siracusa.
In interviews it appears the major problem isn't that Bussell introduced Endress to people who work in the same industry, that is, communications among safety agencies, but that Endress had an agenda, and promoted it. He represents a communications giant that would like to create a statewide system in Nevada, and he was hoping that the decisions would be made at the state level, not the local. He was promoting a plan that no one in the various agencies had discussed, and they responded by assuming that Bussell was responsible.
Is that where the $86 million plan came from? It appears so. Bussell has been emphatic in saying he has not promoted nor discussed an $86 million statewide communications plan, on the one hand, and on the other, says it's not the Homeland Security Advisor's job to create one. The money that will come to Nevada will be distributed to counties, state agencies, and various tribal nations.
Bussell has pointed out often that there are two entities of which he sits at the head. The Homeland Security Commission, a group of 23 appointed members, and Homeland Security Advisor. As advisor, Bussell, now Togliatti, reports directly to Governor Kenny Guinn. The commission too is advisory in nature and allocates federal Homeland Security funds to various state agencies and outlets. Commission members are appointed by the governor.
Among the operations of the commission: making recommendations concerning the protection of sensitive state documents and computer systems against so-called cyber-terrorism; maintaining continuity of state and local government in the event of a terrorist attack; securing the state's energy, telecommunications and water infrastructures in the event of attack or catastrophe; and providing policies for effective communication and coordination among federal, state, and local law enforcement and other first responders during a terrorist attack.
That last part, providing policies for effective communication is the sticking point until it becomes clear that contracts and policies are not the same word. Policies can be recommendations offered to the various entities around the state, but certainly aren't the same as contracts.
Members of the Homeland Security Commission are:
George Togliatti, chair
Jerry Keller, Vice-Chair
John Alamshaw
Washoe County Sheriff Dennis Balaam
Richard Brenner
Tod Carlini
Dale Carrison
Reno Mayor Robert Cashell
Robert Fisher
Robert Hadfield
Ellen Knowlton
Maria Lipscomb
Chuck Lowdon
Michael Mayberry
Kimberly McDonald
Maureen Peckman
Jack Staley
Doyle Sutton
Giles Vanderhoof
Larma Volk
Lawrence Weekly
William Young
There are two non-voting legislative members of the commission, Senator Dennis Nolan and Assemblyman William Horne.
Was Jerry Bussell railroaded out of a position he was more than qualified to hold? Those are questions we will attempt to answer in weeks to come. For a start, see the opinion piece written by The Nevada Observer Publisher David Thompson. Click here.
The state web site has much information regarding Homeland Security: http://gov.state.nv.us
You may also find information from many of the locations listed in our links page
Sales Tax Figures For March Exceed Expectations
21st Consecutive Month of Increases
Employment is up, unemployment is down, and that is not always one following the other. According to
Governor Kenny Guinn, there are 49,000 more jobs in Nevada right now that when 2004 began. The state Taxation Department released figures that indicate the state's overall economy is swinging. Taxable sales for March, 2004 are 16.1 percent higher than last March, at $3.5 billion.
Clark County led the way with taxable sales topping $2.4 billion, 17.4 percent above last year. In Washoe County, the taxable sales figure jumped by 13 percent.
Nevada's budget is fed by gaming taxes, sales taxes, and mining taxes, and the overall increase in tax income for the current fiscal year is 23.7 percent above what had been forecast.
In the smaller counties, the increases were evident as well. Douglas County showed an increase of 28 percent, Carson City 12.7 percent, Lyon County 21.8 percent.
Taxation department figures indicate the increases were led by automobile sales, gas taxes, home furnishings, construction, and the catch-all general merchandise.
The governor said, "Our economy is strong once again, and our state is creating new jobs.
Nationally, the Commerce Department says the economy has grown about 4.4 percent during the quarter that ended March 31, and is growing slightly faster than had been earlier forecast. The growth in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) coupled with lower unemployment figures might offset the higher energy costs that are affecting the economy at this time, the department says.
It's Budget Season Around
The Silver State ... Already
Clark County
The big fight at the county level is what to do about policing, and the costs of keeping up with the demands of a population growth that could overwhelm the police agencies. Clark County Sheriff Bill Young thinks he has the answer; raise the sales tax to seven and three quarters percent. That would be a raise of a quarter of a percent.
The 7.75 percent figure would remain in effect for four years, then be increased to eight percent during year five. The eight percent level then would remain until voted up or down in future years.
Nationally, the ratio of sworn officers to residents is 2.5 officers per 1,000. In Clark County, the sheriff says, that ratio is 1.69 per 1,000. Metro says the ratio is 1.7 officers per 1,000 residents while North Las Vegas indicates their ratio is 1.4. Henderson has a ratio of 1.15 per 1,000.
According to figures that are available, in the west, the general ratio is anywhere between 1.6 to 2 officers per 1,000 residents.
Arguments against raising the sales tax are that the figure can fluctuate dramatically depending on the current economic conditions. At this time, the sales tax collections are showing a continuing upward trend, but that could change at any time.
Other options for hiring more police and fire fighters is raising property taxes. The property taxes in Nevada are controlled by a state mandated cap, and Clark County is near that figure now. If schools or other infrastructure has serious needs, there may not be room to increase the property tax to sufficiently cover the needed expenses.
Arguments for and against tax increases will continue. Sheriff Young is working his forces to get the sales tax increase.
Las Vegas
Characterized as being a "good budget," Las Vegas will spend more than $1 billion dollars during the next fiscal year. The actual budget that was accepted by the city council recently totals $432 million, but then what are called enterprise funds, federal, regional, and money from other sources, will take the spending total over that billion-dollar plateau.
The new budget should make room for raises for some, particularly management types, and allow for hiring as many as 60 new people. The budge represents a 9.2 percent increase over the last fiscal year.
Police and firefighters will top the job list, areas that haven't had significant new employees for more than two years despite the rampant growth in the area.
Henderson
Henderson's recently approved budget is lower than last year's, but will include provisions for an increase in city employment by 49 new jobs, mostly in the police department. The budget, $358.1 million compares to last fiscal year's $377.7 million.
According to Henderson financial representatives, the budget was lowered because of the absence of large capital projects. Jobs such as renovation, building, and expansion projects have been completed. City council members called the plan an example of fiscal responsibility, and the budget was approved unanimously.
Boulder City
Boulder City has reduced its budget for the upcoming fiscal year, beginning July 1, as well. A figure of $45.38 million was approved by the council recently, a $500,000 reduction. The problem faced by Boulder City is the operation of a gold course, Boulder Creek Gold Course, which the city took over this spring.
The course has been operating at a reported loss of $3 million per year, according to figures released by former operators, Triad Gold Management.
Reno
No new property taxes in Reno is the exclamation of City Manager Charles McNeely as the council approved a budget of $444.5 million for the upcoming fiscal year. The figure will support hiring about 18 new police officers and 23 new firefighters.
Because of reduction of property values in the downtown casino district, the redevelopment part of the budget is being called "conservative." The casino district, affected by nearby California Indian Gaming Casinos has been asking for property tax reductions for several years. The redevelopment district budget is based on property taxes in the district.
The Buzz Around the Silver State
From our Correspondents
From the Capital (The Big One)
(Washington, DC) --- The west is more than tinder dry following a less than spectacular wet season, but there may be a little bit of help coming from the air. After grounding all the of the large multi-engine fire fighting airplanes, the Forest Service has announced that as many as eight of the aircraft may be back on the lines for this fire season. Some of these airplanes, and there were 33 in the force at the end of last year, are more than half a century old, and in many cases, the air frames won't hold up to the severe strain of the bombing runs.
Although in most cases, it would be up to the National Transportation Safety Board or the Federal Aviation Administration that would be responsible for certification of aircraft, in the case of the fire fighting bombers, the Forest Service and BLM are the agencies in control of which planes can fly.
Along with the addition of the eight large bombers, the Forest Service is also planning to put several squadrons of single engine attack planes into the fleet. The big boys can carry as much as 1500 gallons of fire retardant on their attack runs while the smaller planes carry about 800 gallons at the most.
According to a press release from the Forest Service, there will be squadrons of the smaller aircraft based in several locations around the Silver State. Here are the locations and numbers:
Stead, three
Minden, three
Winnemucca, two
Caliente, two
Battle Mountain, two
Elko, one
Wells, one
Las Vegas, one
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(Washington, DC) --- The FBI has reported a decrease in violent crimes in Nevada, but an increase in property crimes. Violent crime is down by about 15.4 percent, while property crime is up by almost 11 percent.
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From the Capital (The Silver One)
(Carson City) --- The numbers have changed according to figures released by Secretary of State Dean Heller, but the percentages haven't changed much. Clark County Registrar of Voters Larry Lomax recently purged several thousand names from his registration roll, in accordance with law. Here is how the revised voter registration figures tally up, statewide.
Republican 355,527
Democrat 343,954
Non partisan 128,469
IAP 18,342
Libertarian 4,874
Green 2,544
Natural Law 860
Reform 192
Other 1,837
Total 856,599
County Clerks and Registrars of Voters are required by law to purge the names of registered voters who either don't vote, or don't respond to non-forwarding requests for proof of residence.
For more information on Nevada election laws and other information, go to http://secretaryofstate.biz.
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(Carson City) --- The Nevada Highway Patrol is continuing to have major problems with its $10 million radio system, including a 90 minute total black out in the north recently. The crash of the sophisticated system is blamed on a power surge that wiped out computer cards that are supposed to direct traffic.
The shut down occurred during the evening rush hour, and troopers whose traffic is routed through the Reno division was totally disrupted. NHP was forced to rely on an abandoned system until repairs could be made.
The state bought the system from M/A-Com, the same company that is reportedly in line to be a bidder for the state's homeland security communications system.
•••
(Carson City) --- Southwest Gas Corporation has been authorized to increase charges to northern Nevada customers by 14 percent according to the Nevada Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The rate increase is called a purchased gas adjustment increase.
In southern Nevada, the company plans an increase of 17.1 percent. Natural gas prices to Southwest Gas have increased from $2.20 to nearly $6 per what they call a decatherm. Southwest says there is nothing on the immediate horizon to indicate those costs might decrease.
In the meantime, Sierra Pacific Power Company has been authorized to raise rates by 5.2 percent in northern Nevada despite the fact they have opened a new transmission line in eastern Nevada that is supposed to help bring lower cost electricity to more customers. Watch for rate hikes in the south to follow.
•••
Washoe County
(Reno) --- It was a frustrating trip for four men from Texas who had been told to be in Reno to give depositions in their case against a major drug store company. At the last minute, attorneys for Walgreen Stores cancelled the meeting. The four men have a discrimination suit pending against a Reno branch of the company.
Mark Mills, Michael Price, Cadarell Freeman, and Bruce Johnson, all from Houston, Texas, claim that an employee shouted a racial slur at the men and slammed a door and refused service when they attempted to complain about some film that had been processed by Walgreen.
When told about the depositions, the four bought non-refundable tickets and then at the last minute the depositions were cancelled. The men decided to come to Reno anyway since they had the tickets and couldn't get their money back. They feel it was a deliberate attempt to either slow down the case, or possibly to make them decide to drop the case.
An attorney for the four is planning to ask a Reno District Judge for sanctions against the Walgreen attorneys, claiming the cancelled deposition was a delaying tactic. Walgreen denies the claim.
According to the men, the northern Nevada branch of the NAACP is keeping a close eye on the matter.
•••
(Reno) --- In a controversial move by Reno's City Manager, Charles McNeely, federal funds authorized to be used to help the needy are being diverted for use by the Reno Redevelopment Agency to help rebuild downtown. The redevelopment committee is made up of members of the Reno City Council.
The grant money is supposed be used to revitalize low income areas in order to provide jobs and opportunities for the poor, and to provide affordable housing and fund community service agencies.
The city council and city manager say they have to use the federal block grant money because property taxes in the downtown casino core area have fallen too low to fund the redevelopment agency work.
There have been many questions raised as to whether the use of the federal grants is appropriate, and whether the funds might be lost altogether if complaints to federal agencies are made.
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White Pine County
(Ely) --- Daryl Hannah's new love fought and lost while fighting one of these beasts in "The Clan of the Cave Bear," the movie based on the novel of the same name by Jean M. Auel. Now, you can see a real cave bear, or at least the skeletal remains of one, at White Pine County Museum's exhibition that opened in mid-May. Actually, what is on display is a reproduction of the skeleton that was found years ago. The skeleton itself is preserved in a scientific study museum in southern California.
The skeleton is about 12,000-years-old, and it's estimated the bear would have weighed in at about 1,500 pounds, considerably larger than the black bears that roam parts of Nevada today. The remains were discovered on National Forest land in eastern Nevada in 1982 and was the first such skeleton to be recorded in eastern Nevada.
Arctodus Simus, its real name, would have stood about five-feet-tall at the shoulders, and about 12-feet-tall when standing on its rear feet. The cave bear would have lived during what is called the Pleistocene Age.
•••
Lander County
(Battle Mountain) --- Elko County recently agreed to a six percent raise for teachers within the county school district. It isn't quite the same in Lander County. Here is the gist of a letter The Observer received from a Battle Mountain teacher
Lander County settled recently, just short of binding arbitration. Teachers in the county will get one and a half percent for each of the next two years. Couldn't even get the 2% the state gave the district. They - the district - pocketed the other 1%. Still talking about laying off teachers, a librarian, a janitor. Funny though, a school board member told me they have $6 million in an "Emergency Building Fund" whatever the hell that is. And the beat goes on.