Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: Eminent university leaders shine brightly in Vegas

Thursday, Jan. 29, 1998 | 10:21 a.m.

DURING THE PAST WEEK I've had the opportunity to talk to two of our nation's most impressive educational leaders. Brigham Young University President-Elder Merrill J. Bateman and Georgetown University President Rev. Leo J. O'Donovan were in town and I listened intently to every word.

Bateman, who received his doctorate in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, reached warmly into his audience. Even older listeners, like me, felt an urge that going back to college would be a good and valuable experience. He has made me want to spend a couple of days at his institution to watch some students and programs in action.

Over the years, the BYU programs have been reaching into other cultures. This outreach has been enhanced by the widespread work of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints missionaries. I've talked with them in places like New Zealand, Japan, Honduras, Nicaragua, Great Britain and the Middle East. What is most interesting is the highly technical work being accomplished on the Provo, Utah, campus. The work being done there on the Dead Sea scrolls and other important pieces of human history is being shared with scholars of all faiths and cultures.

These are exciting programs under the guidance of a recognized leader.

The Rev. O'Donovan's description of what is happening at Georgetown and its role in our nation's progress kept me on the edge of my seat. Forty years ago, when working in the U.S. Senate, I spent two summers on the campus and attended classes at night. After listening to the university president, I'm going to return to see the changes.

Over the years, I've watched Georgetown students working in Nicaragua's jungles and the U.S. State Department. Even today, Georgetown graduate, Kevin Marinacci, is down there helping orphans. When it comes to foreign service, a Georgetown ring is as important as a Super Bowl ring is to a professional football player.

The Rev. O'Donovan gave our editorial board a good look at the problems private universities are facing financially. He also gave us some solutions to most of the problems. His institution, like BYU, is using high technology in providing knowledge and recognizes the importance of our changing national demographics.

The Georgetown campus encourages the different student groups that have sprung up among the minority students. Protestant, Jewish and Catholic clergy are faculty members and play an important role in campus life.

The Rev. O'Donovan, like all past Georgetown leaders, is more than willing to express his valued opinion about national and international problems. For example, unlike some Catholic leaders, he fully supports the trade embargo on Iraq.

The time spent with the presidents of BYU and Georgetown was an enjoyable intellectual stimulant for me.

My comments about excessive tow truck charges and how this may affect visitors drew much attention. SUN reader Ralph Edrich wanted to know if the vehicles had been parked illegally? Yes, they were parked near the apartment complex that fronts on both Sands and Koval. The issue wasn't a matter of legality but the $20 charge somebody demanded to take him to where his car was impounded and $163 charged by the towing company. Not really good advertising for a tourist town.

I also inquired about why the people didn't park underneath the Sands Expo Center. The answer is simply that there is no more parking under the building as it has been converted into other uses. So who approved of that change? The Clark County Planning Commission.

So where are people going into the Sands Expo supposed to park? Reviewing a letter and parking variance application dated in December it appears that off-site parking near the Desert Inn is being considered by county planners. In the meantime, visitors will find parking very limited.

Now for the towing of a vehicle from private property without consent of the vehicle owner.

Sign must be posted.

Sign must show who will be called to tow.

Police must also be notified of tow and location of vehicle.

Impound yard must meet the proper security requirements, re: security, access, etc.

Oh yeah, about that guy who is charging to take people to the impound lot to retrieve their cars. Doesn't he have to have a license to charge people for taking them to their cars?

Some people may have forgotten about a major Viet Cong offensive the Americans defeated, but in the long run might have played heavily in our leaving Vietnam. You can bet the veterans of that attack haven't forgotten.

Bob Haygood, a veteran, reminds us:

"VFW Post 1753, located at 705 Las Vegas Blvd. North, is having an open house on Saturday, Jan. 31, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Lunar New Year better known as the TET offensive of 1968 in South Vietnam.

"This was a sneak attack during an agreed to cease fire, which always is a reminder that America must keep its defenses up and always be in a ready posture to defend our interest at home as well as abroad.

"This open house will be for any war veterans and particularly Vietnam veterans to just come in and talk, meet others with similar backgrounds, and to hopefully sign up some new members.

"The hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., however quite flexible and hopefully our guests will stay around and enjoy some leisurely time at our canteen and get to know our members.