August will again mark Pershing County briefly becoming Nevada’s third largest county with the start of an event without benefit but not without cost. What of the promises from BRC and/or BLM for lodging? It’s a long commute between Burning Man and Lovelock with a 14-hour day on the playa. BRC finally agreed to provide trailer hook-ups in neighboring Washoe County. Ever try using a port-a-potty for a sitting situation with a duty belt?
Last year, the BLM permit was issued in July, this year August, next year will it be after the event in September? BRC was to pay the county $240,000 only for the 65,992 paid participants, not for the 9,312 staff, contractors and volunteers, also the early access population of 13,545, for an “Eight Day Event” that was open for 10 days. PCSO’s Burning Man budget $160,000. BLM was paid over $4 million and provided “integrated command” services including: 150 personnel, approximately 70 LEOs, on-site ride-a-long vehicles, access to their command center, etc.
2015 BRCs two $75,000 installments to Pershing County, PCSO’s approved budget of $206,000 reduced to $196,000. The remainder on Oct. 15 is based on “Peak Population” ranging from $80,000 for 59,999 to $125,000 for 70,000 even though the PCSO had to plan for a population of over 85,500.
Due to the misinformation provided to the RGJ’s reporter Ms. Kane who spun the $400,000 BLM requested increase to a $1 million dollar figure, referenced vanity mirrors and flush toilets, and added the previously accepted catering/commissary menu approved years ago by BRC, thus creating the illusion of Chocotacogate, distracting from the (20?) unaddressed safety issues with PR generated smoke and mirrors. After all, anything over $4 million is still almost $5 million isn’t it? I guess fact checking is beyond Ms. Kane’s skill set.
Some Burners see the Black Rock (administrative) Station … constructed utilizing almost $3.5 million … (ARRA) …open seasonally from March through November … staffed by BLM personnel. A BLM fire crew will operate out of the facility from July to September. As bought and paid for by permit fees and hence available for BRC cost savings.
New this year is the Illegal Substance Policy (Rev 8/1/15) for “Permit Acquisition Use Only” and copyrighted by BRC LLC. Then there should be no reason for servers of alcohol not to be properly certified as required. Also BRC is for the very first time providing transportation to Reno for sexual assault victims. They had refused to allow blood draws for them in the past, thus continuing the “date rape” drugged assaults that have plagued the event by hampering any productive investigation. The ACLU presence is gone and BRC will instead provide legal advice for their “law abiding” and otherwise inclined participants. I hope this includes the Black Rock Rangers, to supplement their vast eight hours of training, & ESD personnel, so they can follow the direction of, actual first responders, EMS and LEOs rather than interfere with them in the performance of their duties during emergency situations.
BRC’s CEO has stated Burning Man isn’t really a festival in a thinly veiled attempt to avoid the Live Entertainment Tax, alas as long as there is nude and semi-nude dancing, they are subject to the 9 percent tax which is only applied to participants’ ticket sales. This would cut into the projected $20 million in profit from the ticket sales alone.
No doubt BRC has demanded the roads be upgraded to accommodate the extra traffic they cause.
I was under the impression there would be a judge, justice of the peace, at the event. Everything was in place, I thought, and then it was cancelled, Why? Transportation cost alone would justify it not to mention the health and safety issues due to medical services access. “Last year, a total of 2,880 patients were treated for medical issues, including 71 drug overdoses, 67 trauma incidents and 30 cases of alcohol poisoning,” Are telephonic warrants to be used instead, will that be timely and available?
Are the bail bonds providers the only business that benefit? Are the parking lots full of Burners at the local business, motels, and restaurants?
Aren’t pyrotechnics/fireworks illegal in Pershing County without proper permits and certifications?
Clearly it’s time to challenge the BRC violated Settlement Agreement, with its dubious limitations, in our Nevada court. BRC LLC shouldn’t continue to profit at the expense of Pershing County taxpayers. The county should see a financial benefit for providing permit mandated services, currently supplied below our cost.
David Skelton is a resident of Lovelock.
