My fantasy fiancée is indestructible. After getting zilch coverage from last Tuesday’s congressional debate, up popped her name at the Nevada State AFL-CIO convention the very same day.
Republican Assemblymember Michele Fiore’s candidacy for a Gomorrah South congressional seat was submitted for endorsement by the Southern Nevada Central Labor Council/AFL-CIO. Bizarro.
I’m sure the convention supported Democrat Jacky Rosen, Sen. Harry Reid’s anointed pick to replace incumbent Republican Joe Heck, now running for U.S. Senate. But Machine Gun Michele never ceases to amaze.
For proper perspective and a lotta laughs, go to the Barbwire archive and read my best work of recent years: “Michele Fiore, the Italian girl mama wanted for me?” It will be linked to the web edition of this column at NevadaLabor.com/
What a woman.
DÉJÀ VU ALL OVER AGAIN DEPT. Last week’s proposal for a $1.4 billion tax-supported redevelopment for downtown Reno brought growth gamesmanship full circle.
When I came here in 1971, the region was up in arms over McCulloch Oil’s design for Palomino Valley north of Sparks.
People sharpened pitchforks, lit torches and cooked tar and feathers upon hearing “a new city of 20,000 people.” McCulloch folded what would have been a well-planned community built out over 20 years.
Meadowood Mall’s developers thus never announced their grand design for the former Smith Ranch until all shopping centers, apartments and office buildings were finished. The Smiths of Harolds Club fame and other downtown Reno overlords purchased large swaths of south Reno to prevent Las Vegas Strip-style competition.
The result was today’s stunted downtown which Susan and Don Clark of Cathexes Architecture hope to remedy.
The valleys of the mucky Truckee have gone from anti-growth to anything goes to the Clarks’ elegant middle-groundsmanship, anticipating the usual questions upfront.
Game on.
DÉJÀ VU, PART DEUX. Reno just re-instituted certification for electricians and plumbers, requirements repealed by Sparks last December upon demand by a downtown developer desiring discounted work.
Licensing had been used to get unqualified workers off the job but now city inspectors have no hammer. It’s time for Councilcritters Julia Ratti and Ed Lawson to follow through on their announced intentions to produce what they termed a “more modern” ordinance.
ADIOS, KENNY. More than 200 gave up their Sunday afternoon on April 24 to mourn the loss of longtime labor leader Kenny Groves, 51, who died April 11. The former chef and veteran letter carrier was elected by his union as a delegate to the Sparks-based Northern Nevada Central Labor Council/AFL-CIO. He was elevated to the post of recording secretary. (I mis-stated his position last week.) He leaves his wife, Cindy, also a letter carrier, three children and five grandchildren.
HALL OF FAME former Assemblymember Bob Price, D-North Las Vegas, just came thru successful surgery to mitigate maladies contracted as an inpatient. He’s at Tahoe Pacific South Meadows in the same complex as Renown South Meadows, 10101 Double-R Blvd. (89521)
Send well-wishes and flowers or call (775) 326-6148. Nancy Price encourages visits to cheer up the old warrior.
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> Barbwire by Barbano has originated in the Tribune since 1988.
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