Sunday, April 1, 2007 | 7:32 a.m.
CARSON CITY - During a hearing last week on a bill to prevent business owners from collecting and controlling tips, Sparks Assemblyman Bernie Anderson abruptly ended the proceedings after one man kept mentioning Wynn Las Vegas.
The witness was a dealer at Wynn. Anderson had warned all witnesses - including Wynn Las Vegas President Andrew Pascal - to refrain from mentioning the casino specifically and instead talk about the issue.
But the dealer kept on, so Anderson, in typical behavior, stopped the hearing, stood and walked away.
The dealer looked stunned at this lesson in democracy.
He huddled quickly with other dealers and they soon agreed: Making a chairman angry is a sure way to get a bill killed. They vowed not to make the same mistake next time.
Teens from surrounding high schools also got a lesson in civics and human behavior last week. They set 1,200 pairs of shoes on the sidewalk in front of the Capitol to demonstrate how many people die each day from diseases related to tobacco.
While the display remained, the Smokers' Outpost shops on either side of the Capitol were virtually empty.
Then the kids picked up the shoes and left - and business returned to the shops.
Finally, Reno resident Guy Felton was trying to make something clear when he stood in front of the Capitol holding two signs for drivers to see.
"Gibbons Resign," one said.
"Krolick Resign," the other said.
Car after car honked in agreement. (Is it possible to note those who unhonk in disagreement?)
Two young women walked by and mocked one of the signs. The name of Nevada's lieutenant governor is spelled Krolicki, with an "i" on the end .
The women walked on, headed to the doors of the old state Capitol building, which houses Gov. Jim Gibbons' and Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki's offices.
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