Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: No room on LV stages?

Friday, Feb. 25, 2000 | 8:56 a.m.

Mike O'Callaghan is the Las Vegas Sun executive editor.

EARLY THIS month Pat Cooper was honored by the 18 Society Foundation with a "Louie" award.He was honored as an actor, comedian and humanitarian. Cooper is all of these and in addition is a most valuable resident of Las Vegas and Southern Nevada.

Presenting Cooper the award was another distinguished Nevadan, Peter Anthony. The exchange between these two talented comedians was the highlight of a first-class evening at the MGM Convention Center.

Seeing Pat and Peter on a local stage is a familiar sight to the people who enjoy their humor and are excited to see them provide the boost local charities need and deserve. The sad story is that to enjoy these men for a full evening of entertainment we would have to go out of town. Both of them spend several months every year on the road entertaining crowds at nightclubs and theaters around the nation. There are plenty of stages in Las Vegas that need them.

It doesn't seem just to many locals.

Dr. Sam Wise is probably one of Nevada's finest rehabilitation physicians. His dedication to patients is known throughout Clark County. The other day I received a copy of a letter he sent to the Medicare Administration.

Wise wrote Medicare administrators:

"It is once again that I'm writing to you regarding my patient. This is now the fifth time that I've been forced to write a letter for a medically necessary device for her to be able to move about in her home. She has combined disability, which includes osteoporosis, COPD, osteoarthritis, which affects her four extremities including her arms, chronic advanced pain, and is unable to mechanically propel a manual wheelchair. She is unable to be transported except with great effort by herself and her husband.

"She needs to have a powered conveyance. This should be a powered wheelchair or a powered scooter. ...

"It is well-documented that her severe disabilities of osteoporosis, spinal fractures, spinal pain, chronic nonmalignant pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which leaves her oxygen dependent, her ileostomy, and her age all are known to her physicians and have been reflected in her records on a consistent basis. Therefore, I am requesting once again that she be given appropriate attention for her medically necessary equipment."

I'd say it's about time.

A letter from one of my former high school students, Karen Mack, extols the virtues of Henry Bergh, who dedicated his life to preventing cruelty to animals. More than a century later the work of Bergh and his followers continues and is recognized around the world.

Last week at the Animal Care Expo 2000 here in Las Vegas, 35 countries were represented at the Humane Society gathering. The Republic of China (Taiwan) received an award for its efforts.

It was in May 1998, less than two years ago, that the ROC agreed to work with the Humane Society. Since then, "The Humane Society has trained 14 officers from various branches of ROC's government, who in turn have acted as the seed to propagate the training throughout the island. Their efforts, in addition to the promotion of animal care workshops throughout the island, have vastly improved animal treatment on Taiwan.

"From July 1998 to June 1999, a total of 5,353 dogs were adopted and a total of 22,000 dogs were neutered. New animal shelters have been built to house stray animals. Dogs were registered free of charge in order to encourage owner registration. Owners only needed to pay the implantation fee for microchips."

How's this for progress, Karen?

At least the letter I received from Gov. Kenny Guinn gave me a few laughs. The letter from Guinn began:

"I am pleased to inform you that, in recognition of your dedication to the Republican Party, I have nominated you to serve as one of Nevada's representatives for the Republican Governors Association in this election year. ...

"I hope that you will take this opportunity to accept your nomination to the Republican Governors Association and join the 30 Republican Governors in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 28 at the annual 'America's Majority Dinner -- The Road to the White House.' ..."

Sorry Kenny, as a two-term governor with a D after my name, I will probably miss that big dinner in Washington.