Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Jury’s out on this summons

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, March 14, 2002 | 8:29 a.m.

There was a time when I would have welcomed a jury summons. It is a great way to learn how the judicial system works.

There have been several times in my younger days when I answered a jury summons. Once the court officials learned I was employed by a newspaper it was an automatic, "Thanks, but no thanks."

The assumption was that reporters might have some inside information not privy to the public.

My service as a juror was cut short on one occasion because I knew all the attorneys involved.

Nevertheless, whenever a jury summons came my way, I dutifully reported and waited for hours while justice ground away.

The most recent summons to jury duty came a few days ago. Although it might be an educational experience, I must regretfully decline.

Being an octogenarian, hard of hearing, with a serious heart problem would hardly qualify one as a potential juror.

I will respond to the summons, however, as I am not eager to have a bench warrant issued for my detention.

If they want me in spite of my senior status and health problems, I'm ready. Just send me an escort.

Those darn newspapers.

Bill Martin, chairman of the Nevada State College Foundation, admitted recently there were problems involving consulting contracts at the still-to-be-opened Nevada State College in Henderson.

But he blames the media for focusing on the turmoil surrounding the project.

"If we only get 40 students, it's not because we failed," Martin said. "It's because the newspaper has kept this issue in front of the public so long that donors don't want to give money."

It's what we call the public's right to know.

I'm not familiar with the traffic problems on Summerlin Parkway, but I do know Bill Flangas, a longtime local planner, and if he says there's a simple solution, there must be.

Flangas has suggested that south and eastbound traffic on U.S. 95 dedicate left two lanes southbound from Washington Avenue to Torrey Pines Drive for through passage. He has also advised prohibiting merging or lane changes.

On Summerlin Parkway, heading east: Dedicate both lanes from Summerlin/Rainbow Boulevard to Torrey Pines for through passage. Prohibit merging or lane changes except for northbound Rainbow traffic wanting to go east.

Flangas will gladly submit a map and further information to public officials responsible for the traffic conditions in that area.

Gwen Castaldi, once the first lady of television in Las Vegas, had a very short stint as public information officer for Clark County.

Castaldi's resignation, delivered after only a few months, has many wondering what happened.

Big news in Reno is the action of county commissioners denying the world's largest producer of cat litter permission to mine and process clay on the outskirts of town.

Now there's something Mayor Goodman and the City Council might consider as a means of redevelopment of the downtown area.