Letters for September 5, 2019

Dennis Myers

Dearest Dennis, a friend for decades, he stood with us on the Equal Rights Amendment push since the 1970's. Now I push for honesty in media reporting because I watched how hard it was for Dennis to find reporting work after he exposed a Reno car dealership for wrongdoing. Because of Dennis I speak out about the Global Elite ownership of the media. His face haunts my memory in a good way.

Jan Chastain

Silver Spring, Maryland

When folks in my generation pass, it becomes an existential reminder of my own mortality, but this sudden loss of Dennis Myers hit me with a special gut shot. I had corresponded with Dennis infrequently over the years, and, on a number of occasions, we chatted in the RN&R office. Pardon my display of extraordinary grasp of the obvious, but Dennis and his legacy of community service via RN&R is a blow to all his gentle readers as well as Northern Nevada.

Steve Waclo

Carson City

An icon has passed. Without the presence of Dennis Myers and his informative, spot-on and generous voice, our state has experienced a great loss. Dennis knew and cared more about Nevada history than anyone I know, and I will greatly miss reading his excellent historical, cultural and political commentary. We didn't always agree, and often sparred a bit, but I have always held him and his activism, diligence and obvious love for the Silver State in the highest regard. I miss him already.

Diane Rugg

Reno

Dennis Myers was the reason I looked forward to each issue of the News & Review. A true Nevada treasure. This is a loss to us all who value journalism. In an era where it is fashionable to deride the news outlets, he proved what in-depth reporting meant in a state that settles for sound bite journalism. We should all be afraid that he may be the last of his kind.

Michael Mirich

Reno

Dennis Meyers impressed me for many decades as a person and newsman. I was a source for him on stories involving both the ACLU of Nevada and University of Nevada, Reno. No other writer was as thorough and resourceful. Much has already been said about his encyclopedic knowledge about the history and current politics of this state. He was in league of his own. Some 30 years ago, I introduced him to the UNR Political Science honors society as the best journalist in the Silver State. He kept getting better and better. One knew that Dennis would ask more probing questions than any other newsperson—and how he could connect the dots for major stories that he alone covered. What mattered most to me were the values that Dennis held and the ways that he could advance good causes by concentrating on what mattered most. And, for me, Dennis was a good friend who always had time to discuss matters large and small. I will miss him very much.

Rich Siegel

Reno

Almost exactly a year ago (Sept. 6, 2018) I sent a note to Dennis Myers, thanking him for his article “Savior” in the previous week's RN&R. Like all of his stories, I thought it was very well written, but it also spoke to an opinion I have long held.

A few days later, while on the sidewalk outside a post office in Truckee, I ran into a friend who said “I saw your article in the newspaper.” At first I had no idea what she was talking about. When I asked her to clarify, she said “I saw what you wrote in the Reno News & Review.” I was shocked because I never intended my “thank-you” note to be published (and it also I included mild criticism of a friend)!

Shortly afterward, I received an email from Dennis Myers telling me that he didn't often hear from Truckee folks and asked my opinion of the potential for hosting the Winter Olympics again at Squaw Valley. Being a long-time employee of Alpine/Squaw, I gave him my full criticism of that issue and told him he was welcome to publish what I said but that he couldn't use my name (for obvious reasons). Of course, being the noble reporter that he was, he wasn't going to publish a story without quoting the source. He didn't!

There are numerous reasons why I faithfully read the RN&R every week, but top most has been the brilliant and balanced reporting by Dennis Myers. We have been so fortunate! He will indeed be missed.

Michael Fournier

Truckee