Letter: MASH Village lacked support

Wednesday, April 10, 2002 | 9:04 a.m.

Once again the Sun, in an article published April 4, has helped perpetuate the myth that Father Joe Carroll was the "founder" of MASH Village for the homeless.

The facts are that the concept was developed by the Southern Nevada Homeless Coalition. Political support was provided by then-Mayor Jan Jones and County Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates. Construction funding was provided by both the city and county ($2.5 million each). Rev. Joe Carroll's organization was hired to administer MASH Village.

Father Joe has done a wonderful job in San Diego, where he had great support from the business community (including Joan Kroc of McDonald's). It's too bad that there has been almost no similar support for MASH from the Southern Nevada community.

BILL COTTRELL

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