Quiet, Please: Public Comment Calls Out Washoe County Government at Library Board Meeting.

Video clip from the Washoe County Library Trustee Board Meeting January 2026.

Picon got more than a little entertainment out of the latest Washoe County Library Board of Trustees meeting. Public comment has officially crossed into slapstick territory, and frankly, we enjoyed every minute.

First up was William Puchert, who calmly—but with unmistakable menace—reminded the trustees that if any of them are harboring dreams of higher office, there’s a group of people more than happy to remind voters of their library board legacy. Oh, how he wished to hear boots shaking under the dais. He was hoping for a few nervous glances. Maybe some sudden interest in note-taking. He was going for a masterclass in public comment intimidation. But instead the board looked bored out of their minds, no was was tugging at their collars.

And then—Sandy Tibbetts took the podium.

With a confidence that bordered on celebratory, Tibbetts said out loud what Picon has been writing for years: that Assistant County Manager Dave Solaro and Assistant District Attorney Herb Kaplan are effectively running the Library Board, leaving trustees to play supporting roles in their own meeting.

Picon always enjoys a Sandy Tibbetts podium visit we urge her to keep speaking.

It was a moment. A glorious one. And one Washoe County residents should be up in arms about. It is time for Solaro and Kaplan to let the trustees run the show.

Bottom line: if the Library Board wants to restore credibility—and independence—it might want to start by clearing out the backseat drivers. Solaro and Kaplan have had a long run. It’s time for the trustees to either run the board…or admit they’re just along for the ride. A trustee needs to step up.