Growing, stretching, paying

Turned out to be a good thing—taking money out of my husband’s 401(k) in March to make a down payment on a new house. We didn’t know that the stock market was still on its way down, down and that paying the money back ourselves with interest would be much more profitable. And we got a house to boot. Momma always told me that when the stock market looks bad, property investments look swell. (She also told me that it’s just as easy to love a rich man, but hey.)

I was thinking about these things while hanging out in my unfinished four-bedroom being built in east Sparks. From my soon-to-be bedroom window, I could see a cement truck pouring a driveway next door and bulldozers clearing land for more apartments nearby.

Growth happens. People are moving here like crazy. That’s the only way I can explain the fact that our old house inside the McCarran loop in Sparks sold for its asking price in less than six hours. Our realtor put up a sign at about 3:30 p.m. on a Tuesday in June, and we’d accepted an offer before 9.

The results of this kind of growth aren’t hard to predict. State, city and county services (police, fire, schools, roads) will be spread thinner and thinner. And to support the needed new schools and fire stations and cop cars, someone’s going to have to start paying, you know, taxes. That someone is either going to be Joe Worker or Josie Businessowner, and I’m rooting for the latter even knowing that these costs end up passed to the consumer in the long run.

Would higher business taxes discourage new companies from coming to Nevada? Maybe. But something needs to slow the growth here. Remember watching the new overblown technology companies die sudden, messy deaths when the whole tech bubble popped a couple of years ago? Didn’t we recently read somewhere that Nevada spends more dough on prisons than on education?

We’ll pay, now or later. Plan on it.

Speaking of moves and changes, we’re saying congratulations and good-bye this week to RN&R Associate Editor Adrienne Rice and Editorial Assistant Gabriel Doss. Adrienne and Gabe are getting married on Saturday, and they’ll be moving to Texas, where both have family. This is their last issue, and we’ll miss ’em.

On Monday, we’re welcoming back D. Brian Burghart as associate editor. Brian’s been at the RN&R in various capacities since this paper started out as Nevada Weekly. Brian’s been doing freelance writing for the past two years or so, for such publications as Tahoe Quarterly, Nevada and Time magazines, as well as being an RN&R contributing editor. Brian’s done investigative stories for the RN&R on everything from the former Reno Gazette-Journal publisher who sat on the board of Harrah’s Reno City Councilwoman Sherrie Doyle’s alleged campaign contribution violations.

Staff Writer Carli Cutchin is taking on the role of arts and culture editor, intern Miranda Jesch moves on the role of editorial assistant in charge of calendar, theater and gallery listings. Our new intern, Chris McGargar, will be coordinating the RN&R’s nightclub and casino grid.

Thanks for reading.