Whiskey, Wingmen, and the Elephant in the Council Chambers

Friday, February 20, 2026 Councilmembers Rodriguez, Reese, and Martinez at the Reno Events Center for the PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour. We ponder did they have free drink tickets? Councilmember Reese removed the photo of Rodriguez from his Facebook feed once the story broke about the DUI. Why would the councilmember remove the photo? Tidying up?

If timing is everything, then today’s Sparks City Council meeting may feel like the Sparks city manager’s worst nightmare.

Because hanging over the dais is not just an agenda — it’s a question no one seems eager to ask out loud.

On Friday night, Sparks City Councilmember Joe Rodriguez was reportedly at the Reno Events Center attending the PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour. Also in attendance? Reno mayoral candidate and councilmember Devon Reese and Reno Vice Mayor Miguel Martinez.

Pendleton Whisky. Velocity Tour. Whiskey.

Later that evening, Rodriguez was allegedly assisted by Sparks Police after running into a poll, and ultimately transferred to the Washoe County Sheriff's Office after officers learned he was a sitting city councilmember. He reportedly spent time at Parr Boulevard — a location no elected official wants to see attached to their Friday night.

Let’s be clear: at this stage, Rodriguez is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Allegations are not convictions.

But politics runs on optics — and the optics are rough.

There are additional questions swirling. Rodriguez is reportedly on administrative leave from his position with the Nevada State Fire Marshal’s office. There are claims he may have been driving a state vehicle Friday night. If true, that detail alone adds a layer of seriousness that goes beyond a bad political headline.

Which brings us to today’s Sparks City Council meeting.

Will Rodriguez attend the meeting? Will anyone address the elephant in the room? Or will the dais proceed as if nothing happened, waiting for media outlets to file public records requests for Sparks PD and Washoe County body camera footage?

Because make no mistake — that footage will be requested.

And then there’s the uncomfortable question for the Reno officials who were reportedly present earlier in the evening:

If your colleague had been drinking, why was he driving?

No one expects councilmembers to act as designated babysitters. But leadership carries an expectation of basic responsibility — especially when public safety is involved. If you’re sharing alcohol at a public event and your colleague is heading for his car, the standard isn’t complicated: take the keys, call an Uber, arrange a ride.

Wingmen are supposed to prevent bad decisions — not become footnotes in them. Why did Councilmember Devon Reese remove his Facebook post with Rodriguez?

Will Sparks officials call for resignation? It’s too early to say. Sitting councilmembers with DUI allegations are rare enough that there isn’t exactly a recent local playbook.

But what is certain is this: today’s meeting won’t just be about agenda items. It will be about credibility.

And the question hanging in the air won’t just be about one councilmember’s judgment.

It will be about all of them.