Elected and appointed Officials actions have been an outrage to social justice, and fairness and any sense of ethical, moral or rational behavior. Their constant unrelenting accommodations for developers and special interests to provide high profits on subsidized cheap housing and developments to draw new residents to an already over extended community created growth way beyond what any normal or natural market forces would have provided.

       They set up one of the greatest housing market and value collapses in the nation. We have the highest unemployment and foreclosure rates in the nation. We have an embarrassing refugee camp know as tent city plaguing our downtown community. Many other unemployed are now sleeping in doorways or on the river.

       I and many others warned them of their and our fate brought about by their hands. Now we all sit in a social and economic cesspool. Their legacies are cast; they will be forever tossed on the ash heap of history. They tried. They failed. Miserably.

       The elections are over for another two years and “we the people” failed to replace even one incumbent elected official in the County or the two Cities. Maybe it was intended to punish them for their sins. Maybe there is some justice in that those that caused all these problems have to continue to sit in the stockades of public display while they squirm and squiggle and try to deal with the unthinkable social and economic disasters they created. Most will be leaving soon because of term limits kicking in in two and four years. Maybe by then this community will have hit the bottom and be ready for a long climb out and we will have new leadership that will work with the people in a sane and rational manner to restore our quality of life and economic stability. Next time you vote, follow the money.

When will we ever learn, when… will we.. Ever…. learn.

Gary Schmidt
35 year Washoe property owner and business operator, former candidate, former member Washoe County Board of Equalization, Community and Political Activist

       My best friend and companion of almost 15 years, Luke "Chowbacca" passed from life in my arms on Saturday, September 10th, 9-10-11. For those who never met Luke he was a kind and gentle full furred Black Chow dog that looked as much like an ape with a lion’s mane or a miniature Buffalo as a dog. I remember at one political rally when he was wearing a "Schmidt Happens" T-shirt when a serious young woman asked, "What kind of animal is that anyway?". I of course responded that it was not an animal; he was a "Chowbacca". Luke never met a person or dog he didn't like. Over the last decade and a half we had thousands of walks in the desert and forest; in the foothills between Steam Boat and Virginia City where we lived for 8 years and survived the Andrew Lane fire in 2004 (I had rescued him from the hillside being slowly chased by the fire - boy was he glad to see me that day); in the desert foothills above Sun Valley where we lived for a while after losing our house in that fire; in the Black Rock dessert and throughout the town of Gerlach where he was a popular resident; throughout old town Sparks and Victorian Square and the Marina where we lived for a couple of years; in the Humboldt County forest with friends and relatives who are third generation residents there; and many other open spaces throughout Northern Nevada and California. Luke accompanied me throughout three political campaigns, in 06, 08, and 2010. He has been on T.V. and his picture in news print dozens of times. He was featured prominently in much of my campaign literature. You can find him on the internet on my site and if you Google "Luke Chowbacca". He was at all times my loyal companion, always cheerful, friendly, kind, appreciative, curious, and full of and loving life. He brought much joy and countless smiles to everyone he met. We participated in and enjoyed hundreds of events such as the Reno 4th of July Parades, countless dozens of Hot August Night cruises, the Dayton Valley Days and McClould Thanks Giving pet parades, Virginia City Veterans Day Parades, Sun Valley Days Show and Shines, the Rib Cook-off’s, Sparks Christmas Parades and Farmers Markets, New Years Celebrations in Downtown Reno, Nevada Day Parades in Carson City, many political rallies and speeches, and he even spent a couple of days with me at my side at the rotunda in the County Commission chambers during my days on the Board of Equalization when I arranged for "dog days" when we had to meet on the weekends. For those who have had faithful pet partners I need not explain and for those of you that have not been so blessed I could not explain. Luke died peacefully at home in his sleep at 3 in the afternoon of old age, around a hundred years of age in dog years. He now lies buried in peace underneath a hundred year old buckboard wagon where he used to like to rest in the shade on lazy afternoons after his "ranch" walks and where he often slept throughout the evening in recent years. He was a real gift of joy, love, and life, and will always be beside me in spirit and soul.