Author: philw

---

Original blog post: 6/12/26

The other day, while scrolling around on Facebook, I saw a Lyon County neighbor urgently post a link to a Zoom meeting. Something called GreenLink Nevada was about to be discussed during the Dayton Regional Citizens Advisory Board meeting.

Being the self-proclaimed Public Information Outlaw (because our county lacks an actual Public Information Officer), I tapped on the Zoom link on the agenda and tried my best to focus my ADHD brain on the presentation.

OK, It looks like we’re about to be part of a multi-billion dollar operation to feed power to Las Vegas…?

According to the PowerPoint presentation, Construction in Lyon County is set to begin Fall 2023 – Spring 2027. At the peak of construction, the current estimate is between 200-400 people in and around Lyon County.

The vote in question was whether or not to forward a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners regarding a request by NV Energy for a Conditional Use Permit for three 345-kV transmission lines. These lines will extend from the Walker River Substation in Mason Valley to south of U.S. Highway 50 in Dayton, spanning the General Land Use areas of North Lyon, Mason Valley, and Stagecoach, with a combined total length of approximately 103 miles

With a tone in his voice that I’ve heard used on the job with crisis intervention, a suit just off camera explained how this GreenLink was going to strengthen our power grid, bring jobs, and how it totally doesn’t tie into solar farms and data centers.

The GreenLink representatives offered a pretty useless map, showing the route of the power lines and substations. From this image, it was unclear whether they were planning to build. Using my Photoshop magic, I tossed some Google Maps layers on the image to get a visual. If the dotted lines were accurate, it looks like the power lines will cross Highway 50 somewhere around the hill between Dayton and Stagecoach.

Once the power lines reach 50, they’ll dig them under the highway. I expect this to snarl up the daily commute for a while there.

---

Questions About Public Health

During public comment, one resident sounded like she was on the verge of tears as she pleaded with the board to research the health effects of the massive power lines and microwave towers GreenLink is about to put over our heads. With that de-escalation voice, the rep explained how there was no danger to the public.

Residents went back and forth with the board and the GreenLink reps. Several times, it was mentioned how this was being snuck past the public, to slide this to the County Commissioners for a vote before the citizens of Lyon County could question or oppose the billion dollar power lines over their heads.

When it came to a vote, 4 members of the Citizen Advisory Board chose to further discuss this before passing it to the Board of County Commissioners. The CAB president, Jim Davis, who also happens to be the leader of Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley’s ‘Community Impact Team’ was the only vote to push it to the BOCC.

Y’all, keep an eye out on this one! I will do my best to alert everyone of the next meetings with CAB, BOCC, and other local government acronyms. My little ape brain just started getting into this subject the other day, so I am certainly no expert.

If you have any info, tips, or conspiracy theories, hit me up!

---

---

Let’s Talk About It

I am unemployed once again. This time, I didn’t run for office, I didn’t donate any vital organs, and I didn’t even make a drafting mistake that angered the US Navy. Nope, this time is was something different – they eliminated my position to save money.

Taking full advantage of the remaining couple of weeks of health insurance, I took a trip to the ER a few days ago to give them some kidney/heart challenges to deal with. I figured I might as well try to have a cardiac event to make sure Carson Tahoe got that last chance at Blue Cross money.

---

So once again… NOW WHAT?!

I’ve been flirting with Panda Express about a kitchen staff position. I’m also filling out apps, as required from Unemployment, and tossing them into the abyss of LinkedIn and Indeed to be one of thousands that go unread. I honestly don’t think there are any grown-up jobs left for old Mr. Wooley.

I’ve started over too many times!

Plan Z: Turn myself into a brand

For better or worse, there are a few thousand Lyon County residents who know my name and face. Since most know me as that guy on their Facebook and NextDoor feeds, they get confused why this 5’6″ dude looks just like Phill Wooley. I guess I talk taller than I really am.

Looking at my analytics this week, I see people are visiting my site and returning. Over 3,600 of you have been peeking at this website regularly. I was even contacted by someone from State Human Services, asking permission to include my website in their online resources. The more time I have to sit at this keyboard, the better it gets.

This site is built simply enough to make Lynyrd Skynyrd’s momma proud. I will be doing business the same way. Right now, I’m offering the chance to sponsor for the small fee of $35 per page, per week. No shell game of packages or promos. First come, first serve.

That’s it, my whole pitch!

---

Let’s Talk About It

If you’ve been following my blog, you may recall I picked up a scared little puppy some abusive homeless guy dropped off at Tuk Luck Ranch a couple weeks ago. My intention was to just foster him, so OF COURSE, I immediately fell in love with the little dude. As everyone predicted, he’s my dog now.

Yesterday was Pepper’s first visit to the vet. I’m thrilled to report he took all the shots like a champ, and was charming the entire staff with his cuteness. He has really come a long way in a couple weeks. He’s still shy, and we’re not to hugging level yet, but he comes when called, and now cautiously accepts pets from most people.

---

Wait… there’s ANOTHER ONE?!

The day before Pepper’s first trip to the puppy doctor, I received a message from a young woman who had also recently welcomed a puppy into her home. This little girl, now named Lottie, was discovered on a jog near the site of a recently cleared out homeless encampment. Later, I saw the post from Facebook where she was looking for the owners.

Lottie followed the jogger and her dog home that day, where she was taken in by a household of young adults who didn’t hesitate to do everything necessary to nurse this poor baby back to health.

Besides the obvious malnutrition, little Lottie also had a nasty bite to the face by what we can only imagine was a coyote. It was infected and in immediate need of medical attention.

The young woman [chooses not to be identified] and her friends are true angels! They all pitched in to cover the vet bills, and bonus: they have experience fostering and raising lost pups. She tells me Lottie is very friendly and doesn’t express the shyness and fear like Pepper.

Considering the apparent age, similarities, and both having come from homeless backgrounds, we think it’s pretty safe to assume these two are littermates. Pepper’s previous abusive owner was said to have been grumbling about he was the last of the litter he couldn’t get rid of. So I think Lottie escaped most of the rough handling Pepper suffered.

The anonymous angel and I have been keeping contact, updating each other on our puppies’ progress, swapping pictures and stories. Once they are both done with all their vet procedures and boosters, we’re talking about having a playdate. They’re both great with other dogs, so I can’t imagine how awesome it’ll be to see them reunite with each other for a visit. I hope this can even become a regular occurrence.

---

Let’s Talk About It