Where I stand—Mike O’Callaghan: Senator seeks the truth

Thursday, April 12, 2001 | 8:19 a.m.

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

LAST WEEK THIS COLUMN said it is time for a few outside critics and legislators to get off the back of Jon Sias. He is the man selected to head up the soon-to-be-opened Southern Nevada Veterans Home, which has been reduced in size and late to open.

That column pointed out several problems: "Have there been some problems getting the new facility ready for action? Sure, and it has been written about in several articles. There have been budget problems created by the 1999 Legislature and there have been construction and Public Works problems that have been in the system for at least a decade. Despite these problems, Jon Sias has been working night and day to move the project forward."

Also mentioned was Sen. Bill O'Donnell, R-Las Vegas, one of the dwindling number of veterans still in the Legislature, who has been concerned about some of the problems. It's O'Donnell's belief that the state shouldn't run the facility but it should be privatized. Yet one of the finest nursing homes for veterans has been run and expanded by the state of Idaho for many decades. It's hard to believe the same can't be accomplished if Nevada leaders have the same dedication to its veterans as does the Gem State.

Addressing the constant bickering and criticism of some veterans, O'Donnell writes: "I am not taking any sides in this fight. I believe that the dollars will determine the success or failure of this program. Everyone wants to complain about the home but no one wants to put the money up for it. The home is smaller than it started out to be because the money wasn't there. There are 4 rooms to a bathroom because the money wasn't there. I am frustrated.

"I have pointed out in the past that the nursing staff, necessary for good quality care, is not even on the radar screen. In order to attract nursing staff the home needs to be able to pay them. The money isn't there in this budget. I predict that the quality of care won't be there because the money won't be there. There are very few of us veterans up here any more. The decisions are made by the majority of those who have never served their country. There are many concerns up here and little money to go around.

"It doesn't matter whether one group is fighting the other group for the success of the veterans home. The bottom line is, we veterans want it to succeed. The veterans have a common goal. The governor will not allow the agencies to request more money and we are having a difficult time trying to find out what the true needs of the state are."

Evidently, according to O'Donnell, Gov. Kenny Guinn has put a gag order on his chosen administrators so they won't tell the legislators exactly what is needed, and this can cause even more problems for the nursing home. The Las Vegas senator makes clear that more dollars are needed, and the governor, along with O'Donnell's legislative colleagues, must come up with this money because sick veterans deserve better than what he sees coming down the road. O'Donnell refuses to duck the problems by running and hiding like so many of his fellow legislators. Waiting until the 2003 Legislature to solve these problems isn't an acceptable solution.

So let's be honest: The problems reside with the executive budget, silent administrators, legislators and the Public Works Board. Criticism of Sias, who is doing the best he can without the necessary tools, isn't the answer.

Senior Sun reporter Ed Koch and a photographer have been taking a close look at what is happening at the home site in Boulder City. Their observations will be given to our readers next week.