When Power Can’t Take Pushback

An email Drew Ribar shared on Picon’s Facebook page a few days ago from the Washoe County Distrcit Attorney’s Office.

There’s something ironic about how the City of Reno and Washoe County operate: elected folks dish it out daily — snide remarks, public shaming, name-calling from the dais — but the moment citizens push back, suddenly the officials are the victims.

Apparently, standing up, speaking out, and asking questions now qualifies you as “unhinged,” “obsessed,” or “mentally ill.” It’s the new government strategy — intimidate the activists, shame the critics, and drive the truth-tellers to the edge.

Once these citizens are sufficiently frustrated or emotionally worn down, the city and county step in with their favorite script: “We’re scared.” They hold meetings, send carefully worded emails, and tell staff to “be cautious.” It’s an old trick — paint residents as dangerous, and no one will listen to what they’re actually saying.

Just look at Councilmember Devon Reese, who loves to accuse people of “stalking” or “exposing his children” — claims that have never been proven, but conveniently silence his most vocal critics. Or take the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office, which now calls local citizen Drew Ribar “consumed” even though his videos show him calm, measured, and factual.

Here’s a thought: maybe the real problem isn’t that citizens are passionate — maybe it’s that government leaders can’t handle accountability.

Because when you compare what they fear to what they tolerate, the hypocrisy is glaring. The DA’s office isn’t calling the man accused of murder, Paul Eikelberger, “scary.” He’s out on a $1 million bond, still waiting for trial nine years after the crime. But an activist asking tough questions? Now that’s terrifying.

It’s a pattern — and it’s spreading. Public service has been replaced with public relations. Instead of solving problems, they smear the people who notice them.

The message is clear: speak up, and we’ll label you. Challenge us, and we’ll “feel unsafe.” But stay quiet — and we’ll call that civic harmony.

Maybe it’s time the powers that be remember something simple: government exists to serve the people, not to psychoanalyze them.

And if being vocal, informed, and persistent is now considered “crazy,” then perhaps Washoe County and the City of Reno should start checking the mirror — because the real instability might be coming from the top.