Third Acts and "Paul Blarts" at the Park
As part of our recent coverage, we documented the start of the “Third Act” movement, here in Reno. Environmental writer and activist Bill McKibben, of 350.org and the 1989 book “The End of Nature” pedigree, just created the new grassroots initiative to inspire people over 60 “to change the world for the better.” Fighting voter suppression and “bugging the banks” are at the top of their priorities.
In the Biggest Little City, that took the form of a recent protest outside the Chase branch. “Chase bank and banks like Chase, they just keep feeding resources into fossil fuel industries. We want to draw a clear line about the banks. And so stop it, stop it. We don't want to support a bank that is killing the world,” Susan Chandler, 78, said.
Speaking of third acts, there are rumblings there could be a part three to the on again off again local bus strike, amid drawn out, yet to be resolved collective bargaining between the Teamsters Union and private contracted operator Keolis, with elected officials using their clarions for the most part against the drivers. After health care and scheduling considerations, proposed wage increases are a new sticking point. It’s maybe not Striktober anymore, but with staffing shortages all around, workers still have lots of leverage.
Our most commented post across our platforms was about the new pilot program to send the Business Improvement District “ambassadors” into public parks. These are often a rare refuge for neighbors with nowhere else to go. The last Segway riders of Reno referred to by some as “Paul Blarts” “communicate with police to help triage situations to reduce nuisance calls so police can focus on larger issues,” according to their own description.
One commenter Natalie Handler wrote: “… Wouldn’t it be more efficient in keeping our parks and river corridor clean by implementing the infrastructure we are lacking such as bathrooms, drinking fountains and bio hazard waste receptacles? I’d like to see these things before we set more undertrained folks out on the streets to discriminate, escalate and intimidate folks using public spaces. If we are going to create any new staff positions they should be first responders to calls of non violent crisis who are fully trained social workers and mental health professionals like that of the very successful Cahoots in Oregon.”
The above story was an overview of the latest Community Homelessness Advisory Board meeting, during which there were candid admissions of understaffing and flooding at the Cares Campus shelter compound, as well as other problems, ranging from a lack of cots to missing exit points for those seeking to get into permanent housing. Advocates pleaded for more discussions and more meetings to find solutions to actually help our unhoused neighbors, while many of those on the board indicated the Monday morning session had gone on too long. Why are they even on the board then, some advocates wondered. Community activists have been trying for years to have new members on that board representing those who actually receive the services being offered.
We did a big 2021 zine edition drop at the Hub Coffee Roasters on Pine Street as well as at the downtown Washoe County Library, so pick one up or read one for free at those locations if you are interested.
Our podcast this week, available by searching for “Our Town Reno” where you listen to podcasts, hears directly from a local lawyer who has been defending activists ranging from Black Lives Matter to anti-sweeps. He also looks into legal issues of the unhoused.
In our Citizen’s Forum, we had an article explaining why the upcoming benefit for Washoe County Court Appointed Special Advocates Foundation is so important, from the perspective of a former “Ward of the state.” Never hesitate to reach out if you’d like to contribute your own personal essay, thoughts about Reno’s evolution or stories we should cover.