Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Getting to the business at hand

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, Aug. 10, 2000 | 8:56 a.m.

Ruthe Deskin is assistant to the publisher. Her column appears Thursdays. Reach her at deskin@lasvegassun.com.

Just as I was recovering from the hoopla surrounding new Clark County School Superintendent Carlos Garcia's use of the taboo n-word, along comes a published transcription of his interview in which the fatal slip occurred.

The text of that interview with a group of black teenagers makes us wonder about his oratorical abilities. Along with several grammatical errors are about 18 "you knows," a few "ums" and several "likes," all of which are common in modern teenspeak.

Perhaps he was attempting to talk to the kids in their language, which is a mistake. Or perhaps he lacks communication skills.

At any rate, the new superintendent needs to take his foot out of his mouth and proceed with the business at hand.

In spite of early blunders, I believe he can accomplish his goals if given a chance. But no question, his every move will be under the microscope.

Much has been written of late about the Nevada Ethics Commission, especially in regard to its use of media-produced material.

To set the record straight and clear the air on matters that might have been misleading, Peter Bernhard, commission chairman, explains: "The commission's regulations say that a media report, in and of itself, is not sufficient for a matter to be taken to the commission for a full hearing. However, a media report can and will be used as a basis for an investigation, and if the facts in the media report are corroborated by credible evidence found in that investigation, the media report will be included in the materials submitted to the commission.

"So, the regulators do not bar media reports as evidence, and your suggestion that media reports may form the basis for an investigation is, in fact, what the commission does.

"Under Nevada law, anonymous complaints cannot be investigated, so a person cannot anonymously submit a media report without also signing the commission form, as the statute requires.

"Without media investigation and reports, many questionable practices would never be brought to the public's attention, and the commission has the responsibility to investigate matters properly brought to it, even when those matters include media reports."

The key words are "properly brought to it."

And let that clear the air once and for all.

As a matter of interest, Bernhard was once a Sun newsboy and, in 1966, a Sun Youth Forum finalist.

Former City Councilman Steve Miller easily qualifies as Las Vegas' No. 1 gadfly.

Recipients of his barrage of e-mails are kept abreast of all the peccadillos of politicians, as well as the trials and tribulations of everyday citizens.

Shunned and ignored by some, Miller still has the capacity to create confusion and consternation for the powerful people -- and he never quits. His own case against former Mayor Jan Jones, 10 years in the making, is actually scheduled for trial sometime next year.

How could those advertising geniuses have fired the little Chihuahua that hyped Tacos for Taco Bell?