Dear HCN,
I was delighted that Jon
Christensen did an article on Elko County, Nev. (HCN, 10/30/95). I
just wish he had done so while I was still living there. I worked
as an engineer for one of the gold-mining companies in the area
until I decided to leave after being informed that my political
advocacy would affect my ability to be
promoted.
When I moved to Elko, I found a small
community surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery in the
West. Then I became aware of the extremism of the local politics –
an extremism that was more anarchist than conservative. I was
surprised that, given the large influx of people over the past 10
to 15 years due to the gold-mining boom, local politics remained
solidly in the hands of the “good old boy” ranching community. It
took awhile, but I think I finally found an explanation for
it.
Most of the recent increase in population has
been related to the mining industry. Western miners have always
moved from one boomtown to another, making them far less likely to
get involved in local politics than those who intend to remain
there for the rest of their lives. So ranchers remained in control.
Add to this a local newspaper edited by two narrow-minded
publishers, and you have a recipe for ultra-conservative control.
The Elko Daily Free Press has done everything in its power to keep
the fires of confrontation burning between protectors of the status
quo and those who would bring change. The federal land-management
agencies, along with “evil” preservationists, provide scapegoats
for all that they perceive to be wrong with the
West.
What has happened in Elko County is an
excellent study in group dynamics: A small group with extreme views
gains a foothold due to apathy; the local paper squelches all
opposition by blasting those who dare to speak out against them. (I
myself have been trashed in print at least three times for opinions
I chose to express in letters to the editor.) Eventually, what
should be rightfully seen as extremism gradually becomes the
norm.
Mr. Christensen’s article, however, failed
to adequately present two important points: Leaders of the local
political establishment are far more base than presented in his
article, and would stop at nothing to see to it that the status quo
(i.e., 1885) remains in effect indefinitely. I am also disappointed
that we did not hear from Merlin McColm of the Elko County
Conservation Association and employees of the Nevada Division of
Wildlife, who endure the same harassment in the field experienced
by federal employees.
As for me, I have moved to
a smaller town where people are not as quick to jump on the
Sagebrush Rebellion bandwagon. And I don’t miss Elko one
bit.
Ron Crouse
Winnemucca,
Nevada
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Former Elko resident tells why he moved.
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