Vol. 2, No. 22
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September 15, 2005
Nevada's Online State News Journal
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CRIMINAL DEFENSE |
COPYWRITING
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The Buzz Around The Silver State
as compiled by our correspondents
Storey County
Engine #18 Hits Virginia City September 15; V&T Locomotive "Dayton" Bound for Permanent Display
(Virginia City) --- A Virginia and Truckee railroad engine is returning to Virginia City on September 15 as you read this. Engine #18, the Dayton, will be heading for its new home in the newly-completed Department for Cultural Affairs Comstock History Center on the historic V&T rail yard at E and Union Streets. This will be the first time a Virginia and Truckee railroad engine has been placed on display in the landmark historic district since 1993, when Engine #27 was removed to the Nevada State Railroad Museum, Carson City, for restoration.
At the request of Governor Kenny Guinn, the 2003 Legislature authorized funding a new building for the Department of Cultural Affairs. The Comstock History Center, completed by Miles Brothers Construction under the supervision of State Public Works, will open in the fall. Carson City architect John Copolous designed the structure using elements from historic railroad buildings that stood nearby. Besides exhibiting the engine, the building will serve as home for the Comstock Historic District Commission and provide space for a variety of interpretive displays on the history of the Comstock Mining District.
The V&T Railroad dates to 1869 when the first track was laid between Carson City and Gold Hill. Regular service to Virginia City ended in 1938, after the famed Comstock mines had declined. The last V&T regular service between Carson City and Reno occurred in 1950. Engine #27, which ran in the valleys between Minden and Reno, went on display in Virginia City in 1971. In 1993, officials moved Engine #27 to the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City where it was restored, listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2004, and remains on display.
The Dayton is a remarkable engine that served Virginia City during the heyday of the Big Bonanza. Built in 1873, it is a rare survivor of the Central Pacific Engine Works in Sacramento. After serving for several decades, the Dayton retired to a career in film, working for Paramount Pictures as the ideal nineteenth-century engine. In 1969, it joined another V&T engine, the Inyo, to participate in the centennial celebration of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad at Promontory Peak, Utah. Both engines were later acquired by the State of Nevada, refurbished with funding from the National Park Service, and placed on display at the Nevada State Railroad Museum. Harco Trucking in Reno will complete the move from Carson City to Virginia City. The Dayton will be on display in Virginia City until further notice, although plans call for new equipment to be displayed there in the future.
The Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs serves Nevada’s citizens and visitors through cultural and information management, preservation and promotion of cultural resources, and education. Besides the Comstock Historic District Commission, the Department also includes State Historic Preservation Office, the Division of Museums and History, Nevada State Library and Archives, Nevada Arts Council, and the Commission for Cultural Affairs. For more information on the Department of Cultural Affairs, please call Teresa Moiola at (775) 687-8323 or visit the department’s website at www.NevadaCulture.org.
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White Pine County
Economic Gains In White Pine County Cheered By Retailers
(Ely) --- For fiscal year 2004-05 retail sales in White Pine County grew by more than 57 percent according to a report released by the state Department of Taxation. For the year, taxable sales totaled $128 million up from the previous fiscal year's total of $81 million.
This eastern Nevada county has been in the economic doldrums since a huge slow-down, more stoppage, of mining in the area. Mining is making a comeback along with other economic factors such as a resurgence of railroading and the new mercantile store created by local citizens.
For June 2005, the final month of the last fiscal year, White Pine County had almost $17 million in taxable sales up 115.7 percent from June 2004, led by mining purchases. For the year, automotive sales and gasoline dealers purchases led.
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San Francisco, CA
Mervyns To Remain In Nevada Despite Massive Closings Elsewhere
(San Francisco) --- Mervyns will be closing as many as 62 stores in eight states in the coming months, mostly in Texas and Michigan. Stores in Nevada will not be affected according to a press release from the large retailer. The stores being closed represent almost a quarter of the total number but generate only about 17 percent of sales. Some 4,800 people will be laid off.
Mervyns says the Nevada stores are considered high growth outlets along with other stores primarily in western states. Distribution centers in Texas and Utah will be affected according to the company.
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Esmeralda County
Ben Colvin And Other Silver State Ranchers Pleased With Ruling
(Goldfield) --- Although knowing the fight isn't over, many of Nevada's livestock ranchers and users of public land are delighted in a recent Grand Jury report that coupled with a new state law could keep their cattle and sheep out of the mitts of the feds.
Ben Colvin, an Esmeralda County rancher had more than 60 head of cattle seized by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for failure to pay grazing fees. The argument is with the way the cattle were seized; no court order, no judicial review of any kind. A new state law, among the first of its kind in the west is designed to force the federal land agency to get court orders and offer notices prior to seizing livestock.
The BLM oversees (they prefer the word "owns") some 48 million acres in Nevada and issues grazing permits and collects the fees from the permits. They had said that Colvin and other ranchers around the state weren't paying their grazing fees. Without going to court, they took the livestock.
A grand jury report said that neither the state brand inspector or the state agriculture department had committed indictable criminal offenses, but said the policies of the aggie agency were contradictory and confusing.
It was the state's brand inspector who signed off on the seizure and allowed the cattle to be sold by the BLM. State policy issued by the agriculture department said it would not issue certificates to the BLM or any federal agency unless first authorized by a court. Then the Attorney General dropped the policy and allowed BLM to take the cattle.
The new state law demanding court orders before a federal agency is allowed to seize livestock. The state Cattleman's Association supports the new law, but like everyone connected with the situation is aware, often it seems the BLM does as it pleases.
This may end up in federal court, but state's rights advocates say such disputes belong in state courts. A BLM spokesperson said the agency will continue to force its authority under federal regulations.
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Clark County
Welcome Signs Being Withdrawn For Payday Loan Companies
(Henderson) --- As we have reported in these pages in the recent past, payday loan companies are a threat to the well being of those that simply can't afford their services. Some charge outrageous interest, service charges on top of service charges, and late fees to make a New York street shark envious. One city in Nevada has joined a growing list in trying to change the playing field
Henderson city council members have issued two permits, but attached some serious conditions to them. Fastbucks Holding Company (that's their name. Honest) is looking to open locations in poorer neighborhoods in Henderson.
A representative of another quickie loan company said he doesn't believe it's the council's responsibility to stop people from making their loans. Calling them responsible people making responsible decisions.
Prior to the days of run-away inflation during the Jimmy Carter presidency, this country had what were called usury laws, that is laws that kept interest charges under a certain level. Those laws were rescinded and we now have street corner loan companies that prior to the 1970s would have been called loan sharks.
Henderson has banned the companies from its downtown redevelopment district along with other parts of the city and is looking to further ban the companies. Some council members have been quoted as saying the payday loan companies take food from hungry babies.
State laws were altered to a degree during the last legislative session but like mortgage fraud (See Feature Page) state laws are pitifully lacking. In the case of payday loan companies, there is little federal law to draw upon and cities and counties are left to their own devices.
Pick a low-income area in Clark or Washoe County and you will find neighborhood quickie loan company offices, sometimes right next to each other as if they were fast food joints.
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