By JUDGE LANNY WAITE
Events have occurred over the past two weeks concerning the potential loss of Juvenile Court in Moapa Valley, Mesquite and Boulder City. What actually occurred in open court, and fully confirmed by Judge Miller of Boulder City, was a statement, on the record, by an Officer of the Court. This statement was confirmed during the hearing, by another Officer of the Court from the Dept. of Parole and Probation. They both confirmed the decision had been made to remove Juvenile Court by Judge Voy, and the DA’s office.
After being told by Judge Miller what had occurred, I made a grievous error in judgment. In addition to contacting Commissioner Kirkpatrick, Sgt. Bret Empy, and others in the community, I also reported this to Vernon Robison, the Editor of The Moapa Valley Progress, believing his assistance would be crucial if we were going to fight to keep Juvenile Court in Moapa Valley. I trusted Mr. Robison to help protect the community and to do a credible job of reporting this issue. What actually was printed, was a lengthy article and a scathing personal Editorial, that concentrated more on the personal matter between the past two candidates for the court, and not on keeping Juvenile Court in Moapa Valley, which was the primary reason for including Mr. Robison in the conversation. Both the article and the Editorial, were replete with innuendo, and the Editors completely one sided personal feelings, and erroneous interpretation of what had been said, and what was actually occurring.
Both the article and Editorial were riddled with inaccuracies, misquotes, statements taken out of context, failure to even contact Attorney Kyle Waite, (yes Vernon, he is my son, as you have so often reminded everyone, but just like Mr. Mills, he is a licensed, practicing Attorney), for his side of the story, or to “get back to me after he had done some checking”, as Mr. Robison promised to do.
Contrary to the language and implication of the article and Editorial, what was said in Boulder City was not “rumor, a “hint”, or an “inconsequential conversation”, as reported and opined by Mr. Robison. The decision had clearly been made, and steps were being taken to implement it. When the announcement of this change came to light before the “powers that be” were going to spring it on the outlying communities, suddenly the “powers that be” were scrambling to cover themselves and come up with a politically correct response. The reasons for doing it are completely secondary, and I made that clear to Mr. Robison from my first communication with him.
During the election, I remained silent about this issue, because I did not wish to impose on either candidate. In the heat of the campaign, my opinion, after serving as Juvenile Master for 22 years was never sought or considered by the Progress. Now, however, I refuse to stand idly by, and watch the removal of Juvenile Court, which was to take place within hours of the end of my last term.
I have faithfully served this community for many years. I have fought tirelessly for Moapa Valley and it’s courts. I can only hope my reputation for honesty and integrity will speak louder than the words and opinions contained in Mr. Robison’s articles.
The communities attention should be focused on fighting the potential loss of Juvenile Court in the Valley, and not on the personal dispute between the former candidates. If alerting the community to this threat results in personal criticism to me, and to my family, so be it.
Editor’s Note: The above presents Judge Waite’s opinion. The Progress stands by its news story and editorial as presented in last weeks’s edition of The Progress.
