Coyote TV - High Desert Advocate

             Reporters with some validity are sometimes accused of losing their humanity in pursuit of a story.
    That is in the process of getting the story we forget the people in the story.
    We try to guard against that predilection, but it is a professional hazard. It is a good thing for our soul that often in reporting we have to interview a victim now and then.
    This week we interviewed an alleged victim of Steve Marich.
    Friends, good friends for 20 years the Ely man is angry bitter and hurt not to mention a good deal poorer than he thought he was.
    On a certain level Marich’s alleged crimes are a good deal more brutal than a simple mugging.
    Muggers after all attack strangers.
    By brute force and surprise they take their victims money. They don’t deceive. They don’t ask for trust.
    If Steve Marich committed the crimes he is being investigated for he robbed from people who  loved him, and he used that love for self enrichment.
    He who steals my purse steals trash, wrote the Bard, ‘tis something, nothing; ‘Twas mine, ‘tis his, and has been slave to thousands; But he that filches from me my good name, Robs me of that which not enriches him, And makes me poor indeed.
    Marich allegedly not only took purses but also the good names of his employer, his friends, his family and his home town.
    What we cannot fathom is Ely City Hall’s continued protection of Marich’s “good name”.
    We can think of only two reasons why.
    Perhaps they are embarrassed that they too were taken in by this alleged con man or they have something to hide.
    As stewards of the people’s money any indulgence in either motive is both a waste of time and malfeasance of duty.
    We bid a fond fair well to Antoinette Cavanaugh as she leaves the Elko Superintendent’s office.
    In the six years she has headed the school district we have never seen her act with any other motive except for improving education for our children.
    We also heartily welcome Jeff Zander to the helm of the District.
    Despite announcements to the contrary, we believe the Great Recession is far perhaps very far from over, and during the serious trials ahead Zander’s background in actually paying for education will be an invaluable asset.