Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: Top law officers agree

Friday, Nov. 30, 2001 | 9:33 a.m.

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

HAVING SPENT MORE THAN 45 years as a Nevadan, I was amazed when Mayor Jeff Griffin of Reno complained about the lack of cooperation he was receiving from the FBI. No, Nevadans haven't always experienced a spirit of cooperation with our nation's top law enforcement agency, but the flame of that spirit burns brightly today.

What amazed me was the difference in the stories coming out of Las Vegas and Reno. Local reporters found Sheriff Jerry Keller praising law enforcement relationships with Special Agent in Charge Grant Ashley. I talked to both men and found that their solid relationship is built on experiences both before and after Sept. 11, 2001.

Then there were stories in Nevada and national newspapers that had the Reno mayor whining about the FBI in his city, also accountable to Ashley, not responding quickly enough to satisfy him.

Something didn't sound right, so I called Reno Police Chief Jerry Hoover and asked about his working relationship with Ashley and the FBI. Without elaborating, the chief, with a long record of law enforcement experience, told me he has an excellent relationship with the FBI and Ashley. He added, "I've always had a good working relationship with the FBI here and in other jurisdictions."

Two of Nevada's senior top law enforcement people give Ashley and his troops a thumbs up and that's good enough for me.

Attorney Ralph Denton made a point in a letter he sent to Mayor Oscar Goodman last month. It's a thoughtful letter that should be given some consideration by all of us and not just elected officials. Denton wrote, "I was greatly surprised when I first found out that more of my ad valorem tax bill for my small office building here in Las Vegas was allocated to the city's redevelopment agency than to the Clark County School District. Then, last night when I read the paper and saw that the city was going to spend $500,000 of this tax money to conduct a survey as to whether the city should have a major league baseball team, and in the same paper read that our school district ranks almost last in the country as to the number of books available to its students I was not only surprised but shocked."

In the same letter, Denton quoted President Grover Cleveland, a man who has a place in history for service and honesty. Denton has the same reputation and a place in Nevada history for his honesty and deep thought.

Have you lost a loved one during recent months or years? Compassionate Friends are holding the 18th Annual Candle lighting Ceremony at Christ Church Episcopal at 2000 Maryland Parkway from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 8.

Jim and Claudette Koller head up the Las Vegas Chapter of Compassionate Friends, which is a support group that offers friendship and understanding to bereaved families following the death of a child.

The ceremony runs about an hour, and all families are invited to stay for a social hour. Refreshments will be served.

This event is open to all bereaved families. Please call ahead to reserve your candle. There will also be a MEMORY TABLE. Please bring a framed photo of your loved one. For more information call 598-5912.

The Los Angeles Times obituary of music critic Paul Hume was very special for me. The newspaper not only told of President Harry S. Truman's blistering letter to Hume after his less than flattering critique of daughter Margaret's recital, but it also added:

"Eight years later, when he was in St. Louis to cover a concert by soprano Maria Callas, Hume called on Truman, whom he had never met, in his office in Independence, Mo. The president played both of the pianos he had in his office, and the two became friends. They had seats across the aisle from each other for the concert that night, and Truman introduced Hume to his wife, who admired his work."

I didn't know that.