There's tragedy and then there's tragedy. Sure, former School Board member Denise Brodsky—recently relocated to Louisiana to run a United Way chapter—lost her home, car and possesions. She certainly hung on to her perspective: "I was sent here for a reason," she told the Review-Journal, an attitude befitting someone engaged in charity work. Not to be outdone, Strip producer Norbert Aleman (Crazy Girls, An Evening at La Cage) sent out a press release announcing that Katrina had wiped out his (second) home. "I'm happy to be alive," he says. His odds of survival were improved slightly by being in Mexico when the storm hit, but we still salute his pluck. As if to prove that Katrina is ushering in a new era of sensitivity, Spencer Ballif, a local brokerage veep, had this to say in an R-J story about the hurricane's effect on our housing market: job growth, flat wages and slowing construction have "created the perfect storm for rising rental rates." (Italics mine.) I didn't make that one up.
Most locals are responding as best they can. Harrah's, says KLAS Channel 8, will free up 150 rooms for some of the 800 evacuees Nevada will take in. Andre Agassi, according to his spokesman, "will send a check." Congressman Jon Porter sent ... Congressman Jon Porter. Driving down to help a staffer's family dig out, Porter—in contrast to his recent visit to the Guantanamo Bay prison ("We have set a standard for taking care of detainees")—actually kept his eyes open on this trip. "In many respects it is like a Third World country," he told the R-J. "It is incredible mass destruction." And the people? "They are tired and dirty and hungry, but they are full of optimism."
Tragedy and optimism will certainly be the themes during a disaster drill planned for next month. It will simulate terrorist attacks on that vital, underdefended segment of the local economy, mall rats. Staged at the Meadows and Galleria at Sunset malls, it will take place overnight—when, as the R-J seems to imply, there won't be any actual customers there: "The latest drill is not expected to interfere with regular business at the shopping centers, which are typically closed during overnight hours, officials said." Nice to see the paper of record fully source that detail; you can't be too careful in these scary times. As for the value of the preparation drill, you can be comforted by the fact that FEMA had a plan for New Orleans, too.
There's more to keeping Las Vegas safe than pantomiming disaster. Pools must be cleaned, too. County workers are battling West Nile virus by treating stagnant swimming pools—some 800 of them this year, probably a record for fetid water in a non-Katrina year.
Finally, gubernatorial candidate Bob Beers is responding to the Valley's mounting anxiety with a bold cry that sounds like all of his bold cries: cut taxes! In this case, 17 cents a gallon in state gas levies. That'd take a $42 million bite out of highway funds, but if it means fewer pointless street repavings, I'm for it. I want the roads clear when the malls go up—I'm heading for Mexico.
Let's Do the Math! |
-3 Reno lawmaker Sharron Angle launches 2 % tax-control measure: "It's a predictable and safe tax for everyone." Indeed, it will let educators safely predict lousy funding forever.
-1 Arizona water boss on Colo River negotiations: "It's only a matter of time before we all end up in court." At least Sharron Angle might be paying less in taxes!
+1 Rod Stewart tells court that his voice is "superb."
+1 George Clooney on investing in Vegas resort: "you've got to put your money where your mouth is." He'd make a lousy Reno lawmaker.
Final Score
-2
Except Perhaps for that Portion of His Life He Spent Losing This Same Race in 1994 |
"He has spent his whole life preparing for this," Jack Kemp said as Congressman Jim Gibbons announced he's running for governor.
Quiz Corner |
Which Statements Were Actually Made by People?
1.) "Economic growth." (Was this actually uttered by an impatient Jack Kemp into the ear of Jim Gibbons as Gibbons inexpertly fielded questions at his gubernatorial announcement?)
2.) "We are entertaining having Brad [Pitt] design one of the buildings." (Did Marty Burger, president of Related Las Vegas, really say that about his proposed Las Ramblas resort?)
3.) "If people aren't willing to come in and do the job, they ought not complain." (Is this a true quote from Horton Veal, Rod Stewart's court-appointed special hairstylist?)
4.) "Everybody's got to posture and defend. We're going to rattle a lot of sabers before this is over." (Did Andre Agassi really say this about either A.) his third-round opponent in the U.S. Open or B.) Colorado River policy?)
1.) Yes, according to R-J columnist Jane Ann Morrison. 2.) True, according to a press release. Little-known fact: Brad Pitt is also a structural engineer. With great abs. 3.) Close; it was Mary Ellen Holloway, education activist, commenting on the lack of School Board candicates. 4.) Yes, in both cases! By yes, we mean it was really Pat Mulroy talking water policy.
Scott Dickensheets is a Weekly writer at large. Give him crap (or cake) at
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