Obituary missed nice opportunity

Monday, Jan. 29, 2001 | 9:01 a.m.

Regarding the Sun's Jan. 12 obituary, "Prominent Southern Nevada developer Collins dies at 72," by Ed Koch and Grace Leong:

What has happened to the once respected Las Vegas Sun?

An obituary? This is the most unprofessional, disgusting smear ever written. Obits are placed in albums for grandchildren!

The consensus at the funeral of the few who mentioned it was that neophyte stringers succumbed to the vendetta of Tom Letizia. Journalism 101 for them, or perhaps they should work for a slick -- or is that what the Sun has become?

With our governor giving the eulogy, 620 comprising a true cross section of Las Vegas in attendance, 250 huge, beautiful floral arrangements, and 380 at the viewing; the Sun's smear had no impact. Al Collins did more for Las Vegas when it really counted than any human being. He made jobs for hundreds of thousands of Las Vegans!

Ten years beating terminal cancer -- monitored closely by banks -- is the only reason Pahrump is not still another Collins' success story like The Lakes! A great obituary opportunity was missed -- Collins lived the American Dream; what an inspiration/motivator for your readership. Instead we are subjected to cheap people taking cheap shots.

ANDREA G. PELTER, Reno