Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: Good people in our area

Friday, Feb. 13, 2004 | 9:10 a.m.

ROOSEVELT TOSTON recently retired as an executive with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. He was with the LVCVA for 28 years after leaving the local television and radio scene as a respected reporter. Toston always found time to help other people climb up the ladder to success. He was not only a role model for other African-American residents but also would strive to help them over the rough spots of life. Many youngsters have been quietly helped by him and his colleague Ray Willis without any publicity or recognition. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to watch Toston climb up his own ladder to success, which he graciously shared with others.

Some people are born to help others and a good example is Peggy Leavitt, who has done so much for children in Southern Nevada. Until a cruel Nevada Legislature shut down the Southern Nevada Children's Home in Boulder City, she was the understanding mother for hundreds. She then took her love and skills to the Clark County Juvenile facility from which she eventually retired. Today she is, along with other former SNCH staff, planning for an April 16-17 reunion of those children she knew at the home in Boulder City. For many of these people it will be a family gathering because the Children's Home was the only family many of them knew.

Ross Goodman, a graduate of Clark High School, has done very well for himself and his family. I say this because U.S. Marine officers graduating from Officers Candidate School at Quantico, Va., are a special breed. There is no easy road through that training, which produces some of our nation's finest leaders. Goodman, the son of our Las Vegas mayor, served four years on active duty and is now a major in the reserve. Bringing his wife and children home to Nevada and passing the bar exam more than two years ago had to be a rewarding experience. In recent weeks he has found himself brought into the middle of a political brawl he didn't ask for or deserve. I'm sure he has the personal qualities and training necessary to shake it off and continue enjoying his work and life here in his hometown.

Linda Lera-Randle El knows the street people and has no time for phonies. One of her favorites has been Franciscan Brother David Buer who is on his way for a new assignment in the Indian country of Arizona. In a letter last week she wrote: "Brother Dave has spent many hours monitoring and sleeping in the streets with the people. Many times Brother Dave sat there through the hottest summers and coldest winters, while day turned into night and night back into day.

"Often he would fast, jeopardizing his own health while calling for change and showing by example that even the neediest outcast deserves to be helped.

"I think it will always be said long after he leaves that whether you agreed or disagreed with his tactics, no one can deny his intent and heart. His life is dedicated to making the world a better place.

"I first met Brother Dave in the late 80s. The Franciscans already occupied their property on Bartlett Avenue and were assisting with a service-friendly, client-oriented project called Friendship Corner. Sadly, Friendship Corner did not survive -- but happily, my relationship with Brother Dave did."

The Sun has some real NASCAR fans who travel across country to watch their stars. Syndicated cartoonist Mike Smith and writer Steve Kanigher are two of the hottest fans who have their own views of cars, drivers and anything else that goes around a track at high speed. I don't follow the races as closely as they do but have become a Tony Stewart fan because of his professionalism. Stewart gave me another reason to cheer for him when he hired a convicted felon who earlier had helped him get a job. Stewart told the Review-Journal's Jeff Wolf: "The guy made a mistake in his life, and he's done the time. That doesn't take away what he did, but we've all done things we regret doing. He deserves a second chance. The guy helped me realize a dream."

Several years ago I wrote a column saying that George Foreman shouldn't come out of retirement to fight. He did, and won. Now he is training again and I have no more advice for George, but will always be in his corner.