Letter: Let commissioners help the people

Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007 | 7:10 a.m.

I am writing in response to the articles in the Las Vegas Sun regarding Clark County commissioners' spending. I am the parent of two of the children on the dance team that Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani helped send to perform at Disneyland this past summer using her discretionary funding.

Although the kids worked very hard to raise their own funds to cover the cost of the trip, their efforts fell quite short of their goal. In order for the kids to participate, their families had to come up with the remainder of the cost. Our family was not the only one struggling to do so.

Performing at Disneyland was an opportunity beyond what these kids could have ever imagined. This invitation boosted their self-esteem and increased their desire to work together as a team. I saw the positive effect this event was having on all the kids.

Our family was determined to do everything we could to come up with the money for our kids to go, but we weren't really sure we'd make it. It was a huge relief when Commissioner Giunchigliani stepped up with her support. Because of her donation, the cost for each child was significantly decreased. She was instrumental in helping us get there. I know there were dancers who wouldn't have been able to go without her donation.

I would rather see the county commissioners use the money to help people in the community than on expensive cell phones and photos of themselves. It seems that if there were a needed change, it could be made without dragging these commissioners through the mud along the way. There are much worse things going on in Clark County.

Lynn Icenogle, Las Vegas