Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: Center blindsides Guinn

Thursday, March 16, 2000 | 9:33 a.m.

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

Gov. Kenny Guinn probably felt blindsided recently when the Center for Women in Government claimed he has six less women in policymaking positions than did his predecessor, Gov. Bob Miller. This attack really upset Guinn, and he has claimed the information was gained from a "flawed" study.

Being the study was made during his first year in office there are probably several reasons he came up short, because not all positions were filled immediately. Also there are always some staff changes in a new administration. Guinn, for example, has fewer staff members assigned to his office. What may be even more important is the difference in what Guinn and Miller consider policymakers.

In 1997 and 1998, after being in office more than eight years, the Miller administration was ranked first and second in the nation for the number of women holding power positions. This honor was given by the Center for Women in Government. But it wasn't always that way because a 1990 survey for the National Women's Political Caucus resulted in raking Miller over the coals for ranking last in the percentage of women Cabinet members. This angered Miller and, like Guinn, he was quick to point out the unfairness of the conclusions drawn by the National Women's Political Caucus.

Miller had good reason to complain because the National Women's Political Caucus had changed from 1989 what had been considered power positions.

Kenny, welcome to the club that allows everybody and their dog to evaluate what you do. You'll have it all figured out after a couple years in office.

What has happened to Nevada Power Co. since Chuck Lenzie retired? Plenty, and it's not good if you have land that the NPC clutters up with power lines. They will, after you fight with them for months and years, offer you a pittance and let you know that you can take it or leave it.

During the 1999 Nevada Legislature the Senate passed SB384 without hesitation. The bill read as follows:

1. If an electric utility places wires carrying high voltage on, over or under private property without the written permission of the owner, the owner is entitled to compensation for the presence, and any hazard resulting from the presence, of the wires. The owner may recover this compensation within 15 years after he discovers that the wires were placed or that high voltage is being carried by wires previously placed.

2. If the utility's failure to negotiate in good faith causes the owner to seek legal action to recover compensation, the owner is also entitled to recover his costs and attorney's fees in bringing the action.

Good law that promotes fairness, right? It was allowed to die over in the Assembly after NPC flexed its lobbying muscle and a promise that Nevadans facing these problems would be treated honestly and fairly. That turned out to be a lie, and Toby Lamuraglia can testify to this after being given one of those infamous NPC take-it-or-leave-it offers.

Now is the time to find out how the Assembly members going to Carson City will handle a similar bill next year. Toby, now 79, isn't in good health, but as a retired Clark County fireman he understands adversity and knows right from wrong. So do most legislators, but the same can't be said for some corporations and individuals who use money and their lobbying power to hurt the people who helped make this growing county a cash cow for tourism and industry.

Recently I had the privilege of seeing a large room full of beautiful people. It was at the Nellis AFB Enlisted Club where the 99th Medical Group honored its outstanding performers. Participating were our nation's finest medical care people who serve both warriors of yesterday and today.

Take it from this old man, these young people are both refreshing and professional. They remind me of the men and women who cared for me in the 43rd MASH and several military hospitals almost 50 years ago. They are special people with a special mission, and every American can be proud of them.

These young men and women are also concerned about the delivery of health care for military retirees. Large numbers of people who entered military service believing they would have good health care upon retirement are now finding this a false promise. They can only be given health services at places like Nellis AFB until they reach 65 and then they are pushed off to Medicare with everybody else. So much for the special benefits they have earned the hard way.

It's time for Congress to act on this issue or continue to watch fewer Americans put up with life in the military and no longer plan to serve 20 or 30 years.