OPINION: GEORGE EDDIE LORTON FOR MAYOR OF RENO

My name is George Eddie Lorton. I have been warning Reno about this problem for over a decade. For years, political opponents mocked and tried to silence me. Today, those same politicians quietly reuse my ideas while continuing the same corrupt practices.

The City of Reno’s redevelopment agency is the most abused arm of city government. Let me be clear: this agency exists to benefit special interests, not the public.

Elected officials use the redevelopment agency to reward casinos, developers, and political donors at taxpayer expense. California abolished redevelopment agencies because they invited corruption. Reno ignored the warning.

Through this agency, Reno controls hundreds of millions of dollars in real estate, most of it shielded from public auction, public oversight, and property taxes. When property is kept off the tax rolls, citizens pay more while insiders pay less. That is not redevelopment. It is favoritism.

Reno owns major properties like the National Bowling Stadium, the Reno Events Center, and the Downtown Reno Ballroom. These buildings generate little to no revenue, pay no property taxes, and still burden taxpayers with bond debt. At the same time, the city claims a $24 million deficit.

The contradiction is obvious. Selling these properties at public auction would reduce debt, add millions to reserves, and return the land to the tax rolls. The city should not be in the real estate business.

Instead, the redevelopment agency enables fraud, waste, and abuse:

• Caesars pays nothing to lease the Reno Ballroom while collecting rental fees from third parties, fees that should go to the city.
• The National Bowling Stadium was quietly leased to a political associate for a private haunted house while taxpayers service the debt.
• Developers like the Jacobs Group have received discounted or gifted land that should have been sold openly for the public’s benefit.

Reno’s true debt is far worse than advertised. Official figures exclude massive obligations such as between $260 million and $300 million of PERS liabilities and over $400 million from the train trench, currently delayed under a forbearance agreement that only increases future costs. When all obligations are counted, Reno’s debt approaches $1 billion.

So I ask a simple question: Why is Reno financing casinos and developers when the city’s only core responsibilities are police, fire, and public works?

This crisis was preventable. It continues because corruption is tolerated. The redevelopment agency must be abolished, its properties sold through transparent public auctions, and city government returned to its proper role, serving the people, not insiders.

Other Important Issues Facing Reno

• My proposal to the Council for several months was that the City of Reno needs to do a 250th Anniversary parade to honor our country. In April it was finally approved. The argument against it was lack of funds and I offered to pay for the parade out of my own pocket. The only council members voting against the parade were Kathleen Taylor, Brandi Anderson, and Miguel Martinez even though it would not cost the City.
• My suggestion is that REMSA should be charged a franchise fee which would be paid by insurance, not the citizens.

What I Oppose

• The City Council recently approved building at Lakeridge against the master plan of open space in a golf course community. This includes building hotels and rooftop bars, all to the degradation of the neighborhood.
• Subsidizing the Reno Aces Ballpark owned by a billionaire to the amount of $1 million per year for 20 years. This agreement was made three years prior to its expiration without considering the citizens would be voting for a new Mayor and Council.
• The Council approved a 6% franchise fee for Waste Management at the detriment of the cost to the citizens. It was Mr. Lorton’s suggestion to the Council to have yearly physical audits to ensure the accuracy of WMC’s reporting. Most companies underreport and the City is losing money which would benefit the citizens and reduce the debt without raising the franchise fee passed on to the citizens.
• The City Council approved a $300,000 retainer for an outside attorney to fight the unions. Instead of sitting down with the current City Attorney and the unions to settle the matter, the City is quick to litigate. Kathleen Taylor voted for it and Devon Reese abstained from the vote for political reasons.

“I stand against corruption. I stand for accountability. And I will always put Reno’s citizens first.”

— George Eddie Lorton

Candidate for Mayor of Reno

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