Crosswalks, Campaign Signs, and Cozy Lunches: Just Another Day in Reese’s Reno?
A reader reached out to us after enjoying lunch at Marcolino's Italia a couple of months ago and witnessing what they described as a rather interesting political meeting. According to the diner, Devon Reese and Bill Thomas sashayed into the restaurant together for what appeared to be a private meeting with the restaurant owner.
Now on its face, maybe that means nothing. Public officials eat lunch too. But here’s where the story starts smelling more like backroom marinara than innocent pasta.
Our reader says employees at Marcolino’s told him owner has been trying to get a flasher, no not that kind of flahser, a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon — an RRFB — installed on Wells Avenue. And honestly? That request makes complete sense. A large number of customers park across the street and walk over to the restaurant, many of them older patrons. Crossing Wells at night can be dangerous, and a flashing pedestrian beacon would improve safety dramatically.
So why was RTC’s Bill Thomas there with Devon Reese?
Well, RTC often controls or helps fund traffic and pedestrian safety projects we’re told. The City of Reno constantly claims it’s strapped for cash, but RTC money somehow always seems to appear when the politics line up correctly.
And then came the cherry on top.
According to the reader, shortly after Reese and Thomas left the restaurant, someone arrived and planted a Devon Reese for Mayor campaign sign outside the restaurant.
Pure coincidence? Maybe.
So Reese lost by an embarrassing amount for a guy who treated himself like the anointed one.
But the uncomfortable question here. Are small business owners being quietly pressured into political loyalty if they want city help? I
Because if this RRFB is truly a needed public safety improvement — especially for seniors crossing Wells Avenue at night — then why did it look like it was being handled like a political favor instead of a public necessity?
A safe crosswalk shouldn’t require a campaign sign.
We reached out to Bill Thomas for comment but, unsurprisingly, heard nothing back. We asked about the RRFB, the political sign, and had Thomas supported Reese for mayor.
And as for Devon Reese, why not do the right thing and put in the flasher?
But hey, Kathleen Taylor did win the primary maybe she will do the right thing …