Chairman’s Corner; July 1, 2025

Susan Ruch
Jul 1
3 min read

Saturday morning, my fellow volunteer and I ventured to Mill’s Park for voter registration. Once more, the farmers’ market is operating in the park’s pavilion, in a great location. For three years, we have requested to hold a NON-Partisan Voter Registration booth with the Farmer’s Market, and for three years, we have been denied. No politics is Breana Owens’ (the owner of the market) response.

This year, we decided to set up a table in the shade of a tree for voter registration in Mills Park. Mills Park is a public park. Let this sink in: you, the taxpayers of Carson City subsidize the farmers’ market of Carson City. Bet you didn’t know your tax money supports some of the cost for Breana Owens' Farmer’s Market. Kathy and I were sitting by the Monument for 9-11, how ironic it is to have our freedom of speech shut down while by that monument. We were only speaking to people who approached us, we had a non-partisan Voter Registration sign on our table, and we were handing out pocket constitutions and American flags. We were a couple of hundred feet away from the Farmers Market, as my picture demonstrates. Ms. Owens came out onto the grass and told us we had to leave, that she had reserved the entire northeast end of the park, and we were not allowed to be there. I bet you didn’t know the Carson City taxpayers reserved all that portion of the park for the Farmers Market. At that point, I called the board of supervisors to ask if I had the right to be there, and a member confirmed that I did and that I should not move. Upon a more heated discussion regarding the fact that it’s a public park and there must be freedom of speech, Ms. Owens called the Sheriff’s department to have us removed. When the two deputy sheriffs arrived, they had a map that showed she had reserved the pavilion and all the grass area past the playground, extending up to the parking lot, including the playground. I told these young men that it was absurd and the only reason we would move was because they were very friendly and understood our viewpoint. My son-in-law is a police officer, and as I said, I didn’t want to add to their day, but this absurdity was not going to end. An additional point is that we are paying for this overzealous land grab for the entire summer. The Farmers’ Market is in the pavilion, not in the northeast section of the park.

There is a call to boycott the Farmer’s Market, which would surely hurt Owens. I would prefer that you call Mayor Lori Bagwell (775-283-7144) and have her return the grass to the people. I don’t want to see the Farmers Market hurt and prevent our neighbors from getting fresh fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, I do believe Owens plays partisan politics. The Farmer’s Market in Gardnerville gives the Republican Party a table inside free of charge for Voter Registration. We were willing to register people as non-partisan, as a public service to you, the people. To save our country, we must educate the people and be sure they vote in 2026. We wanted to register voters, and that would have been all parties. Most importantly, we are trying to educate our citizens by giving them pocket constitutions. I am very disappointed with the lack of concern for our voters in Carson City by Ms. Breana Owens the owner of the Farmer’s Market. If we are going to save the country, we must educate our citizens. #Pledgetovote2026

Don’t forget our upcoming events:

Join us for the parade in Fallon! We would love to have you with us. There is a BBQ at Frays Ranch at 1 PM.
Movie night at the Casino Fandango, July 10, 6 to 8 PM. “Average Joe”, a true story about a coach wanting to pray with his Team.
CCRP Meeting on July 24, 6:30 at the Casino Fandango, Craft 55 Room
First Friday at the White House on Stewart Street, 6 to 9 PM, with Music, August 1st.
Ice Cream Social and Voter Registration at the Carson City Headquarters, root beer floats and ice cream sundaes.
Lazy Days of Summer BBQ Fundraiser at the Governor’s Mansion, August 23, 4 to 8 PM. You can buy tickets online or at the CCRP Headquarters.