Editorial: Both sides of Las Vegas

Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2006 | 7:46 a.m.

Vicki Droscher and Holly Shaffer are both looking forward to next Wednesday, when they will begin their new jobs as elementary teachers for the Clark County School District.

But they have more than their jobs in common. Each packed her belongings in a U-Haul for the move to Las Vegas. Each spent her first night at Sunset Station. And, although their moves were separate and a month apart, each woke up on her first morning here to discover that her U-Haul and her belongings had been stolen.

Shaffer had an additional shock - her U-Haul was eventually found abandoned in a neighborhood with the lock intact. But upon opening it, all that remained was her fiance's motorcycle.

Hopefully the thieves will be captured and the teachers will regain their possessions, especially the items with sentimental value that cannot be replaced.

We appreciate the fact that the teachers, who are very much needed in our community, did not get discouraged. Both are busy planning for their classes, Shaffer's at Hickey Elementary School and Droscher's at William Moore Elementary.

We also appreciate the donations that have poured forth to help the new teachers. Sunset Station came through with aid, a radio station started a fundraising drive and the teachers' schools and colleagues are assisting.

"This is the most pro-teacher town in the world," Droscher was moved to say, a sentiment we hope will only grow as the teachers' careers progress in our community.