Save Lakeridge: Played, Paid, and Still Losing
So let’s understand - Waste Management - represented by Barrett Resources contributed $10,000 to Councilmember Miguel Martinez in an ‘off year’ - you know Martinez doesn’t have a race in 2026. And, let’s remember Martinez voted to support the high-rise on the old site of Lakeridge Tennis Club.
You almost have to admire the irony.
Why is Barrett Resources representing the anti-development group Save Lakeridge while simultaneously cashing checks from the City of Sparks to push a lands bill that’s entirely about promoting development?
Save Lakeridge — that plucky group of homeowners dead-set on stopping any change to their backyard golf course — just might have outsmarted themselves into oblivion, or proved they are a bit more elitist than they would like you to think. Word on the street is they shelled out somewhere between $20,000 and $40,000 to hire none other than Chris Barrett of Barrett Resources to help defeat a master plan change that would have brought Reno a hotel, spa, world-class restaurant, and yes — even pickleball courts.
But here’s the catch: did anyone in the group actually do their homework before signing the check?
Let’s break it down.
1. Not a Lobbyist (At Least Not for You)
Chris Barrett is not registered with the City of Reno as a lobbyist for Save Lakeridge — an important little detail if you're paying someone to influence city decisions. That’s kind of like hiring a defense attorney who never passed the bar. Or are they paying him still as the old group Lakeridge Home Owners, 121 Washington St, Reno, NV 89503 - they might want to be a bit more transparent since they expect it of the City of Reno.
2. Represents Waste Management
Barrett’s real allegiance? Waste Management — the same company that just made a curious off-cycle contribution to Reno Councilman Miguel Martinez. Off-cycle, as in he's not even running in 2026. But here’s where it gets better (or worse, if you're Save Lakeridge): Miguel voted in favor of the Lakeridge Tennis project — against the very interests of the folks Barrett is now supposedly representing.
Confused yet? You should be. But wait, there's more.
3. The Lands Bill That Never Was
Let’s rewind. Barrett has been pocketing a cool $90,000 a year from the City of Sparks since 2019 to push their federal lands bill through Congress. It’s now 2025. The bill? Still dead. As in marmot-on-the-golf-course dead. And even as Sparks tightens its fiscal belt this year, they’re still forking over $80,000 to keep him on the books. But hey, Barrett does raise campaign contributions for Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson. Can someone say conflict?
So let’s recap:
Save Lakeridge paid big money to a guy who’s not officially lobbying for them, but might be.
That same guy represents a major waste company that’s cozying up to a councilmember who voted for a development that the residents of Lakeridge vehemently opposed.
Oh, and that guy has a multi-year losing streak on the Lands Bill.
And, the Lands Bill is pro development, not anti-development.
What a prince.
Maybe next time, Save Lakeridge should spend less on consultants and more on common sense. Because at this point, they’ve got all the entitlement and none of the leverage — and it’s starting to show.
Save Lakeridge had a meeting last evening. Picon couldn’t make it but we received a video and fourteen emails regarding the misdirection residents think this group is now taking.