For what he termed as ‘inappropriate comments in an improper venue’, Lyon County Sheriff Allen Veil on Thursday publicly lashed out at County Commissioner Larry McPherson.
Veil accused McPherson, a long-time public announcer for the Nevada Day Parade, of unprofessional and inappropriate comments directed at the Lyon County Search & Rescue Unit as it drove past his announcing stand during this past Saturday’s event.
According to Veil, as the unit approached McPherson’s reviewing stand, McPherson diverted from the prepared script describing the Search & Rescue Unit’s history of volunteerism and President Lincoln theme associated with this year’s parade and, instead, noted, “Look at that pretty new truck. They should thank the county commissioners for that. It cost the County $65,000.” He did not finish reading the prepared announcement.
Veil said the fallout from McPherson’s comments has been immediate and Search & Rescue volunteers are embarrassed and incensed. He said several members have approached the Unit Commander in regards to “the disdain conveyed by McPherson.”
“This type of action pushes volunteers away and hinders us in our mission. We will have to fight to bring morale back into line after this ignorant display of a lack of appreciation for our volunteers by this announcer.”
Referring directly to McPherson, Veil stated, “Commissioner McPherson, I have heard some unprofessional comments out of you in the past, but never have I heard you treat our own people with such an uncaring attitude and lack of respect. How dare you treat our people that way? You should be ashamed of yourself for such a public display. You owe our Search & Rescue people, and the other employees and citizens of Lyon County alike, a public apology.”
Speaking to NewsDesk the following day, Veil said, “I don’t want to belabor this, but I am hoping that my bringing this to his attention during the Commission meeting would let him know how detrimental his adlibs can be, as he has a tendency to editorialize and say inappropriate things. I also want our personnel to know that their administration will stand up for them when they are wronged.”
The script as presented to parade announcers is as follows:
“On this date in 1864 the people of Nevada came to the rescue of the nation when Abraham Lincoln signed into law the act that made Nevada the Battle born State. With statehood came the gold of the Comstock, first discovered in Lyon County. In 1861, when Nevada was still a territory, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office has served and protected the people of Nevada. Lyon County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue Division, an all volunteer organization, continues this proud tradition and is ever ready to come to the rescue of the people of Nevada when they are in trouble.”
According to Veil, the Unit has been working to replace their old, worn out, unreliable equipment “a little at a time” and that volunteers have donated countless hours to conducting searches and assisting the Sheriff’s Office in numerous ways. He noted activities of the past 10 months included:
- Responded to 24 missions
- Provided staffing at Lahontan Reservoir on Memorial Day; 4th of July; and several community functions
- Put over 19,000 miles on personal vehicles
- Accounted for over 8,000 hours volunteer time
- In totaling the above, donated over $365,000 in time and money to Lyon County
According State Statute, the Sheriff is responsible for searches and rescues within his county.
