Dear Editor,
The Lyon County Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 at their September 18 meeting to name the planned Dayton Government Complex building the Charles J. Kirk Government Complex. This was an improper and unwarranted action, and I’m urging all of you to contact the Commissioners and persuade them to reconsider.
- The Commissioners violated the Nevada Open Meeting Law, and a complaint has been filed with the Attorney General to that effect. The meeting agenda, as written, was not a clear and complete description of what the Commissioners discussed and the action they took. The agenda mentioned only a general discussion of “potential names and possible selection of a name.” It did not state the actual name(s) to be discussed and acted upon. This is a violation because, going by the agenda and as many of you now realize, the public had no way of knowing the Board would consider and ultimately name the building after Charlie Kirk.
- While the general public was unaware of any plan to name the building after Charlie Kirk at the Commission meeting, a select group of County residents was obviously informed in advance of the effort. At least half a dozen people were ready with prepared statements in support of Mr. Kirk once the appropriate motion was made. One individual even had enough time to gather 130 signatures on a supporting petition. The deceptive agenda item and the apparent coordination between at least one Commissioner and certain individuals gave the impression that there was widespread support for naming the building after Mr. Kirk. In reality, the general public was kept uninformed and consequently uninvolved, while supporters were rallied behind the scenes to show up for the meeting.
- The commissioners ignored, without explanation, recommendations from the Dayton, Mound House, and Silver City advisory boards that the building be called simply the Dayton Government Complex or be named after significant local figures, such as the Walmsey family, distinguished by a long history and/or service and commitment to Lyon County.
- The Commissioners ignored the recommendation of the County Manager that Mr. Kirk did not meet the criteria listed in County policy for naming county facilities, parks, cemeteries, open space and drainages and in order to proceed the Board should first change the policy.
- The Commissioners’ action mirrors the ill-fated attempt in 2021 to change the name of Old Dayton Valley Road to Pres. Trump Way. In this case, under a vague agenda item to “rename a street,” the exact names involved were only revealed at the last minute. Citing a potential Open Meeting Law violation, the issue was put off to the next meeting and, with an agenda properly informing the public, died.
- In memorializing Mr. Kirk, the Commissioners acted to please a particular and vocal segment of the partisan political spectrum. They have singled out for distinction someone who lacked any direct impact, connection, or relationship to Lyon County aside from taking political stands that some County residents support. The Commissioners failed in their duty to govern on behalf of all the County’s residents, whose taxes will pay for the building and who do not necessarily share a positive opinion of Mr. Kirk. But whether one agrees or disagrees with his politics, Mr. Kirk was clearly a controversial, provocative, and at times divisive media figure—and we need not be reminded of this every time we enter the future Government Complex to conduct County business.
I urge everyone to contact the Commissioners and request that they revisit this issue, under a proper agenda item which includes a complete list of options and names for consideration and bearing in mind that their decision must stand the test of time and be a source of pride for everyone in Lyon County.
Erich Obermayr
Silver City
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