Thank God for the Monarch Data Center

Thank God for the vote yesterday from the Lyon County Board of Commissioners to approve the request from Copia Power Devco, LLC, for approval of a zone change to Planned Unit Development for the Monarch Data Center, a 4.6 million square foot, 1,000 Megawatt data center consisting of 8, two-story buildings up to 95 feet tall, a 500-MW battery energy storage system, a 500-MW natural gas backup system, an electrical substation, high voltage power lines and other accessory uses over two parcels subject to RR-20 zoning totaling 505.40 acres in accordance with the Monarch Data Center Specific Plan.

No really, thank God!

When I ran against Tammy Hendrix a couple years ago for the District 3 seat on the board, still calling myself a Republican, I lost to her 3 to 1 in the primary. The biggest issue Lyon GOP had with me: I am not a Christian.

Funded by some well-to-do zealots with an agenda to dominate every position of power in our county, Tammy Hendrix was the favorite pick of the Temu Turning Point, Calvary Chapel’s Community Impact Team. They had every Bible thumper in Lyon County going at me on social media for having the audacity to run, while not worshiping their Lord and Savior, Jesus H Christ.

Of course, lack of religion wasn’t the only reason some didn’t vote for me. Just off the top of my head:

• I talked smack about a deputy’s handling of a homeless vet, which pissed off the beloved Sheriff, prompting him to publicly not support me.
• The creepy coffee shop guy in Dayton was telling his customers that I “didn’t know the county ordinances”. I found that a weird statement, considering I am somewhat literate, and they are written in English and all are easily accessible.
• I had no PAC. There were a couple donors, and I ran the entire campaign on less than $3k, while Hendrix raised $30k to fight me. Needless to say, she had way more big signs.
• Certain people think I’m mean. But if they weren’t being those certain people, I’d probably be a lot nicer.
• I’m too short. No really – this was brought up a few times.

Mostly though, it was religion that sealed my political fate. I was labeled as immoral, even demonic by some. I didn’t fit the holy mold to hold office. And when I had a congregation of 500+ people voting against me in a primary, where maybe a couple thousand vote, I feel honored to have gotten a third of the votes!

I would not have prayed about it before voting on the Monarch Data Center. Even if I had my mind made up when I sat in the bid red chair, as a county commissioner, I would have been moved by the tribal representatives who were all angry they got left out of the process. I would have taken note of all the inconsistencies and half truths from the data center reps. Growing up as a simple, broke POS, I’d never hold myself higher than the public who filled the room to beg elected officials for a moratorium.

Had I won against Hendrix a couple years ago, I would have been the vote to stop the monster from destroying Yerington. For the first time, I actually regret not winning the election. Now I feel like it’s my fault for not being there for our County when they needed me.

NOTE: I am NOT planning to run again.