Letter: Goodman good promoter of city

Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2003 | 9:24 a.m.

I'll be unable to sleep if I don't respond to Jon Ralston's acrid and unfair appraisal of Oscar Goodman in his Feb. 2 column.

The article appalled me and especially my 90-year-old mother who, being a very proud Las Vegan, makes it a point to brag to our out-of-town guests about our colorful mayor. She even out-bid hundreds of people in the world on eBay for an Oscar "Bobblehead," which sits proudly on her coffee table.

As a TV director, I am familiar with self-promoters and it is obvious that Mr. Ralston is the one in this scenario looking for attention. To put down Mrs. Goodman and her prestigious private school is another example of trying to stir something up. I happen to know how devoted to education she is and that she operates the school with no compensation. Those who know her are proud to have her as our "first lady."

Mayor Goodman has been right up there, nationally, with the mayors of New York City and Los Angeles when it comes to promoting and showing pride in his city. Anyone who talks to Oscar on a personal level knows how sincere he is. Thank goodness he promotes the downtown area to keep it from becoming like many other urban areas. And, who else would make the usually mundane City Council meetings fast-paced and downright humorous sometimes?

Jon Ralston must be staying up nights wondering how to promote himself, and we want him to know that it won't work in our household. Maybe he should move to another city to stir up attention.

DAVID DUNN