Rich Man, Poor Man, Baker Man, Thief, Who Hasn't Gotten In a Feud With Councilman Reese?

Nevada Commission on Ethics dissenting comments.

Devon Reese and the perils of public service.

Councilmember Devon Reese doesn’t like Picon. That’s fine. He’s called us hacks, not journalists, accuses us of “sensationalizing,” of “causing conflict and pain,” and dismisses us as a blog. We’ll defend his right to say all that — because that’s what the First Amendment is for. We’ll even defend his right to call citizens who disagree with him “mentally ill,” “stalkers,” or “creepy.” That’s his opinion — and he’s welcome to it.

But here’s the question Reno voters need to ask: is this really the temperament we want in a mayor? Someone who publicly mocks residents for daring to speak at meetings? Someone who uses intimidation and insult as political tools to silence public comment?

Reese’s recent performance before the Nevada Commission on Ethics said it all. Silent while his attorneys negotiated a deferral and dismissal of ethics violations — then suddenly loud and indignant once his deal was sealed. No gratitude, no humility, just another tirade — this time against the commission and its executive director, the very people who gave him a lifeline. Now he’s threatening bar complaints like a man wronged rather than a man spared.

We reported on that hearing — and so have This Is Reno and Our Town Reno, both taking hard looks at Reese’s conduct and campaign. When respected journalists are echoing stories written, maybe it’s not “sensationalism.” Maybe it’s a pattern.

Reno doesn’t need a mayor who sees citizens as enemies and journalists as nuisances. It needs someone who listens, not lectures. Someone who respects dissent, not punishes it. Devon Reese might be better suited to return to private life — where the only audience he has to intimidate is his own reflection.