After her sign was torn down by a Washoe County employee from a private property in Sparks, Ward 1 City Council candidate Christine Garvey put up a new one and stood proudly in front of it, while the County wrote back to Our Town Reno about the matter.
Garvey said the homeowner on which both the previous torn up sign and new one were displayed is in her 70s and “was just trying to support someone she felt would look out for seniors and her community.”
Earlier today, Garvey emailed county officials and bcced Our Town Reno writing in part:
“I am contacting you concerning an issue that occurred Tuesday, May 14th, 2024, at the Sparks Senior Center located on Richards Way in Sparks.
A Washoe County employee, Jacquelyn King, ripped down and destroyed my campaign sign that was attached to and located on the private property directly to the East of the Senior Center.
This employee was on the clock as a county employee when she did this.
When I introduced myself and asked Ms. King if she knew anything about the missing sign that had been placed an hour earlier, she told me she knew who I was and yes, she did know what happened to my sign.
She went on to tell me, quite proudly that she’s the one that cut down my sign because it was "propaganda.”
She also told me several times during our conversation that she has been repeatedly told by her supervisors, county employees, to remove any "propaganda" from the senior center. However, my sign was not even located on county property.”
The message concluded with Garvey, who barely lost the 2022 Sparks mayoral race against Ed Lawson, saying she was seeking “payment for my destroyed sign, an apology and immediate action to remedy this behavior by a county employee utilizing all applicable county codes, policies and state law. “
While seeking comment from the county, we also asked if the person cited in Garvey’s complaint was indeed a county employee.
Candee Ramos wrote back to Our Town Reno today indicating: “Washoe County has begun an investigation into this incident. The County is working on reimbursement for the property owner, as well as an apology. The employee was acting of her own accord, with County leadership never having given instructions to remove signs to any employee. Any disciplinary action for the employee is considered a confidential personnel matter.”
Ramos did not name the employee in her own message but wrote “I can confirm that the individual is indeed a Washoe County employee.”
Ramos also said the county had provided a reminder of its Employee Political Activity Guidelines on its intranet page in March.
This indicates in part “the employees should not:
1. Solicit contributions for any political purpose from other employees or from any individual on an employment eligibility list; Engage in political activity during normal work hours (including displaying or wearing political materials);
2. Engage in political activity for the purpose of securing a promotion, transfer or salary increase;
3. While off duty, engage in political activity that impairs the employee's attendance and efficiency as an employee; or,
4. Engage in any political activities at any time that are forbidden by federal law when that employee is in a department administering federally aided programs.”
The guidelines urge employees to “use good judgment and remember to always be respectful and mindful of the fact that there are many different views and perspectives, and it's best not to distract others with individual opinions.”