Letter: Like N.Y., LV also has suffered

Friday, Oct. 26, 2001 | 4:13 a.m.

My heart goes out to all New Yorkers and to everyone else across the country who lost a loved one Sept. 11. The terrorist attacks that day were a horrible, horrible incident.

It's not that I'm unsympathetic to New Yorkers and the pain they are experiencing, but every time I turn on the TV I see another segment spotlighting New York. I am sure the New York firefighters and police are worthy of all the adulation that is being heaped upon them. But I am getting tired of seeing all the donations and special concerts with the proceeds going to the families of New York victims. New York is not the only community that has suffered from these attacks.

What about right here in Las Vegas? At last count there are over 15,000 hotel-casino workers currently unemployed. And because these 15,000 individuals are no longer spending their money at the movies or at the bowling alleys or at the shopping malls, I'm sure there has been other layoffs outside the gaming industry. I have never seen an official figure of the unemployed related to these terrorist attacks, but I would imagine the figure is a lot higher than 15,000.

Since Las Vegas is supposed to be known for its top-notch entertainment, isn't it about time that someone puts on a benefit concert with the proceeds going to help the victims of these terrorist attacks right here in Las Vegas? As an unemployed hotel-casino worker with little hope of returning to my job any time soon, I would be grateful for any financial assistance I could get. Maybe every megaresort on the Strip could get together, sponsor a benefit concert, and distribute the proceeds to all of their laid-off workers.

STEVE GENTILI