Last week’s Barbwire about toxic turf at Sparks’ Golden Eagle Regional Park exposed a bad situation which now appears worse.
According to the University of Nevada athletic department, Mackay Stadium, the Peccole Park baseball diamond and Wolf Pack Park all use crumb rubber made from used tires.
Washoe County is largely clean, although its one briar patch is close to kids.
“We have a small area within an internal courtyard at the Jan Evans Juvenile Detention Facility which does contain the rubberized pellets as a cushioning agent,” according to community services director David M. Solaro.
The crumbs keep the green petroleum product looking like grass. Without the pellets, the false blades would matt, which is why the turf needs churning which kicks up a dark dust.
Tires contain a Pandora’s box of chemicals including lead, especially dangerous to non-adults.
One Reno park has a small patch of artificial turf, but it’s not the crumb rubber variety. The manufacturer touts it as free of used tires.
Last Saturday’s big-school state championship semi-final game at Reed High was played on good old brown high desert grass. The Raiders may have lost to Gomorrah South’s Bishop Gorman pro-football program, but at least everyone in attendance wasn’t inhaling toxic tire byproducts. I’m waiting for school district info.
HELP WANTED. If Sparks City Hall gets its way, in a few weeks anybody with a pulse can get a job as a plumber or electrician, no training or experience necessary.
Without any council comment on Nov. 23, Mayor Geno Martini forwarded repeal of journeyman licensing for action on Dec. 14. (City Hall’s previously published date was incorrect.)
Public commentary ran six against and three in favor, seven against if you count plumbing contractor and Assemblymember Ira Hansen, R-Sparks, who advised waiting to see what Reno does.
I was amazed by repeal supporter Don Paschall of Zephyr Plumbing who said his employees, “whites and Mexican,” don’t read but they can read plans. Don Tatro of the Builders Association of Northern Nevada asserted that repeal is warranted because “there’s been no violation for 23 years.”
Actually, City Hall admits failure to enforce the law for 23 years. Mr. Tatro’s citing lack of enforcement as justification was the same as saying speeding violations would cease if cops just stop issuing tickets.
I don’t know about you, but I sure wouldn’t live in a place plumbed and wired by me.
Contact your councilcritters (775) 353-2311. Find ward maps and e-mail addresses at http://cityofsparks.us/city-services/mayorcouncil-and-manager/
This is important and potentially lifesaving. Let me know what they say.
FIGHTING SCOTT. Former Nevada Alliance for Retired Americans President Scott Watts continues his slow recovery from heart surgery with three months of rehab.
“Every day he gets a little better,” according to his wife, Susan. “Thank you for your support and prayers.”
Please continue e-mailing greetings, which I’ll forward.
Be well. Raise hell. Esté bien. Haga infierno.
Andrew Barbano is a 47-year Nevadan and editor of NevadaLabor.com. E-mail <barbano@frontpage.reno.nv.us>, phone (775) 882-TALK. Barbwire by Barbano has originated in the Tribune since 1988.
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