When a Seat Magically Empties: The Senior Advisory Board’s Transparency Problem
Why do these board members fight to stay on this board for multiple terms? What are we missing? Because this board does nothing but follow directions from the Washoe County Human Services Agency.
Something strange is happening at the Washoe County Senior Advisory Board — and seniors deserve to know exactly what’s going on.
At the October 8, 2025 meeting, the board discussed moving current District 5 representative Pam Roberts into the suddenly vacant District 1 seat. On paper, that looks like a routine housekeeping matter. In reality, it raises a long list of uncomfortable questions.
A Distrcit 1 seat that seemed to have emptied itself … conveniently - if you listen to the July 9, 2025 Zoom Senior Advisory Board Meeting. The person who previously held the District 1 seat “suddenly resigned.” No real explanation. No public discussion. No clarity on whether the resignation was voluntary or… encouraged.
Commissioner Mike Clark’s post on July 21, 2025 in an attempt to expose this ‘reassignment-reappointment’ from District 5 to District 1.
At the exact same time, a board member from another district — someone allies on the board wanted to keep — just happened to need a new district assignment.
That’s a pretty remarkable coincidence.
The Senior Advisory Board exists to represent the needs, frustrations, and priorities of Washoe County seniors. Yet this board has consistently operated more like an internal county advisory circle — protecting institutional interests rather than pushing for accountability or advocating boldly for seniors.
The question that needs to be answered is does the board serve seniors, or the county’s preferred narrative? After all they think the food being served to seniors via the lunch program and Meals on Wheels is delicious.
Look at all those TBD - To Be Determined board member seats. What is going on with the Distrcit Attorney’s Office allowing this to even be published. Four TBD board seats - who is driving the bus at the DA’s Office. The DA that advises the Senior Advisory Board also advises the Washoe County Library Board - have we said enough - the DA does whatever the county dictates.
So we ask:
Why would any board member fight so aggressively to stay on a board that rarely pushes the county and instead promotes what county officials already want?
We’ve heard from individuals close to the board, and on the board that some members are afraid to complain about the District 1 vacancy and reassignment because:
They fear retaliation
They’ve been told to “be quiet”
They feel pressure from more dominant board members to accept the maneuvering
When board members themselves feel intimidated, how are they supposed to advocate for the public?
Didn’t the new County Manager promise transparency?
Yes — County Manager Kate Thomas repeatedly emphasized transparency and openness.
This situation is a clear opportunity to prove it.
Instead, the process feels rushed, murky, and deliberately shielded from scrutiny.
What the meeting notes reveal:
Questions about term limits, reappointment rules, and whether the move creates a second term
Confusion about date’s
Conflicting statements on how many applicants actually applied
A commissioner (Mike Clark) recommending the board reopen the vacancy
And several board members pushing to seat the preferred candidate immediately
Meanwhile, no explanation has been provided about why the District 1 member resigned, or whether the public was ever informed.
How does a District 5 representative simply shift into District 1 — and the District 1 seat just happens to be empty right on cue?
If this is all above board, then Washoe County should proudly illuminate the process.
If it’s not, then we are looking at a quiet rearranging of seats to maintain power dynamics, not a transparent process that respects seniors or the public.
Our Call to Washoe County
Our call to Washoe County is to turn on the lights.
Explain the vacancy.
Explain the timeline.
Explain the reassignment.
Explain the process.
Explain why this looks like an inside job — even if it wasn’t.
If everything is proper and ethical, there should be no problem laying out the facts.
Seniors deserve clarity, not shadows.