Entertainer Lewis says he’ll leave if Yucca OK’d

Thursday, May 30, 2002 | 9:42 a.m.

Comedian Jerry Lewis, who has lived in Las Vegas for more than 20 years, says if nuclear waste is stored in Nevada he will move his family to San Diego.

"We don't know all the damage that could come from storing it at Yucca Mountain," the 75-year-old Lewis said.

He says not only is there danger in transporting the waste, but once it is placed in storage there may be dangers the public isn't aware of.

"You don't think the government will tell us everything there is to know about the harmful effects of radiation, do you?" Lewis said.

Lewis isn't leaving Nevada without a fight.

"I will do everything in my power to see that the nuclear waste doesn't get here," he said. "I have some pretty good friends in Congress -- (Sen.) Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), (Sen.) Arlen Specter (R-Pa.)."

Lewis says he already has talked to several political leaders about the issue and intends to speak with Gov. Kenny Guinn and Mayor Oscar Goodman.

He expressed concern that local celebrities are not lending their name to protests against Yucca Mountain, and that hotels are not spending more money to fight bringing nuclear waste to the state.

"Why aren't they vocal?" he said. "Maybe because it's not popular.

"These casinos rake in three or four billion dollars a year, but they don't seem to care about the nuclear dump site. They are putting up a minimum amount of money to fight it, yet their whole future is at stake."

Lewis says he is doing everything he is able to do at this time to fight the issue, but more people need to get involved.