A Tale of Two Councilmen: One Handles Ethics, the Other Handles Egos

Sparks City Councilmember Joe Rodriguez at his swearing in.

Well, what do you know — Sparks City Councilmember Joe Rodriguez wrapped up his ethics saga this week without a meltdown, a tirade, or a televised tantrum.

The Nevada Commission on Ethics approved a deferral and dismissal deal in the case against Rodriguez — the one where he was accused of using a few photos in uniform during his 2022 campaign for school board. After the usual legal rollercoaster (complaint, violation, fine, appeal, and settlement), the final decision reads nice and clean:

“Rodriguez has not committed any violation of the Ethics Law.”

No fireworks. No finger-pointing. No revenge tour. Just quiet compliance, six months without another complaint, and an agreement to take a little ethics training — as one does when they actually learn from the process.

Councilmember Devon Reese will be on Nevada Newsmakers on Wednesday, October 20th - you should watch for entertainment because we all know Sam Shad won’t ask a single tough question.

Now, contrast that with Reno’s own Devon Reese, who landed a similar deal but somehow managed to turn gratitude into grandstanding. Instead of taking the win, Reese went on a rant — spitting venom at the very commission that let him off the hook. Class act? Not exactly.

So while Rodriguez stayed grounded, respectful, and humble, Reese was out over the weekend marching in Reno’s “No Kings” parade — which is ironic, considering there’s no one in local politics who loves his own scepter quite as much as Devon does.

If Rodriguez represents public service with composure, Reese represents public spectacle with ego.

Looks like Mayor Hillary Schieve might be handing out Spooge Samples at at fundraiser for Councilmember Devon Reese. Why Spooge, well you’ve got to have a reason to go and after Reese’s rant at the Nevada Commission on Ethics, rumor on the street is, contributors have been keeping their distance.