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Community members and program participants praise Crossroads, arts groups and Sky Tavern; mural proposal discussed
Summary
Dozens of public commenters used the Washoe County public comment slot to thank the board and Commissioner Garcia for donations to recovery programs, describe personal recovery narratives at Crossroads, outline arts events including the Reno Dance Festival, and request support for a proposed mural at Riverbend Park in Verdi.
A broad swath of Washoe County residents and program participants testified during public comment at the June 24 Board of County Commissioners meeting, describing recovery journeys, thanking the county and individual commissioners for donations, and seeking support for arts and parks projects.
Multiple speakers representing Crossroads (a recovery program operated by RISE, the Reno Initiative for Shelter and Equality) described how donations — several speakers thanked Commissioner Garcia by name — funded facility improvements, expanded programming and scholarships. Justin (identified in the record as a Crossroads participant) said, "These investments didn't just help me build a gym or a kitchen. It helped rebuild me," and credited county support for helping him reach 1.5 years sober. Other Crossroads speakers — Isaac Holden (reading remarks from Scott West), Cody Young (a mentor, 517 days sober), Steven Markley (a program graduate), Richard Stave and others — described leadership, mentorship and housing outcomes tied to the program.
Pat Cashel, CEO of Sky Tavern, thanked the board and Commissioner Garcia for a donation that will fund scholarships and described Sky Tavern's work teaching nearly 500 kids to ski each year, an adaptive program and a new mountain bike park. Sky Tavern plans a community fundraiser on Aug. 9 described as an affordable, family-oriented event that will include food trucks, live music and outdoor activities.
Arts and parks speakers included Maggie Stack, co-producer and co-founder of the Reno Dance Festival, who said the fourth annual festival will perform Sept. 19 at Hawkins Theater at Bartley Ranch, and Diana Hoffman, founder and president of Music with Confidence, who described arts-based therapy programming for children with autism and emotional challenges and thanked Commissioner Clark for support. Autumn Harry, a member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, addressed the board in support of a potential mural at Riverbend Park in Verdi and said she has been selected as the proposed artist; she asked the board to support the park mural project and work with Commissioner Garcia.
Speakers also included applicants for board vacancies and residents seeking information about housing authority referrals and services. No formal board action followed directly from these public comments, though commissioners publicly thanked speakers and reiterated upcoming parks and budget outreach opportunities.
