Letter: Civility touched many people

Tuesday, March 9, 2004 | 9:13 a.m.

I first met Mike O'Callaghan while he was governor and I served as student body vice president at the University of Nevada, Reno. I called the Governor's Office at 7 in the morning one day over some now long forgotten student issues.

I wanted to talk with his staff and was going to leave a message. Mike picked up the phone -- and after a second of shocked hesitation, I blurted out: "Governor, you're answering your own phone ..." In his gruff voice, he said: "No one else is here and the phone was ringing ..."

After discussing the issue, Mike said he would pass on the message. I learned more that day on how to treat people than from any other person outside of my own parents. To this day I thank the stars above we in Nevada were blessed with Mike O'Callaghan. I will miss him as a consummate professional and, more importantly, as a human being who touched more than he could ever imagine. God bless you, Mike.

MARC P. CARDINALLI

archive