Where I Stand: Child Haven show embodies the true spirit of Christmas

Tuesday, Dec. 10, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

NOT A DRY EYE in the house.

Of all the fabulous shows, recitals, concerts, revues and stage productions for which Las Vegas is famous, there's one that receives little fanfare and is attended by a very select group of people.

The show takes places every year about this time at Child Haven, the county's temporary home for neglected, abandoned and abused children.

The performers range from tiny tots to teens, all of whom are crowd-pleasers.

The Christmas show this year featured a flute solo by a most accomplished young lady named Melanie.

Leon Ireland, a senior child development specialist with Family and Youth Services, was called upon at the last minute to fill in for a young singer who had been released the day before the party.

Ireland is a talented musician with a voice that could land him in show business if he had chosen the entertainment field rather than giving his love and attention to children in need of care.

The production numbers brought smiles and tears to the audience, but it was the lovely voice of young LaCrisha singing "White Christmas" that prompted many persons in the audience to pledge anew their dedication to the children of Child Haven.

"This is really what Christmas means," one guest remarked, and I had to agree.

Paul Christensen and Jay Bingham are rounding out many years of dedicated service to the people of Clark County.

Both county commissioners will relinquish their seats in January. Bingham has chosen retirement and Christensen was defeated in the recent election.

These men will be missed. Their knowledge of government was not gained overnight but after years of experience, especially in the case of Paul Christensen, who spent several years as a city official before moving over to the County Commission.

Paul Christensen and Jay Bingham deserve a huge "thank you" for the time, effort, dedication and foresight they have given as public officials.

Their expertise should not be lost. New members of the County Commission would do well to ask for and heed advice from these two men, for they have, literally, served in the trenches.

America was once the "melting pot," and Emma Lazarus' famous words inscribed on the Statue of Liberty held out hope for immigrants coming to this country.

"Give me you tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."

For many years they came and did their part to build this great country.

But America in the latter part of the 20th century is no longer a melting pot as ethnic groups become polarized.

Race relations are at a volatile stage in this country, and, as Carl Rowan writes in his book, "there is no sense of community that reaches across racial lines. So walls of fear, suspicion and hatred are maintained."

George Geyer, in his book "Americans No More," sees an increased sensitivity to ethnic and cultural diversity driving Americans apart and eroding the common sense of civic purpose and community values that have sustained the nation.

Warnings of rioting in the streets should not be taken lightly and we should all be aware of the volatile situations in our large cities.

Remolding America into "one nation under God, indivisible and with liberty and justice for all" should be the top priority of our country's leaders.

Could Henderson Mayor Robert Groesbeck be having a few image problems?

Recent newspaper reports have constituents complaining about his abrasive manner.

A letter from Gerry Connolly of San Diego confirms our suspicions. Seems Mr. Connolly represents a company interested in locating in Southern Nevada. But his reception in Henderson wasn't too amiable.

He writes about a meeting he attended where "Mayor Groesbeck's rude and bullying tactics certainly left a bad taste in my mouth for doing business in Henderson. I have seen him in action behaving childlike and unbecoming a mayor. It is surprising that other members of the council do not address his behavior publicly. ..."

The company's interest in locating in Henderson apparently no longer exists.

If this is a bad rap for the mayor, we apologize.

If, in fact, he needs some courses on how to win friends and influence people, we recommend the lessons begin.

Animal rights activists are after the rodeo -- again.

A PETA member, writing to the SUN, deplored the misery the animals suffer. She stressed the "terrible cruelty of calf roping and horse tripping."

Just for the record: Horse tripping is not allowed in Clark County, thanks in great measure to our very own animal activist, Janie Greenspun.

Has your water bill increased lately?

Mine went up more than double in three months.

There's no competition so all we can do is pay, but I try to get even by scribbling little sarcastic notes on my bill each month. Naturally, nobody answers.

Fifteen shopping days till Christmas. Ho, ho, ho.