In his own words, Guinn proclaims his sincerity and vision
"Now is a time for courage. It is up to us to face our challenges, and face them we will."
-- Former Gov. Kenny Guinn
While Kenny Guinn was an unimpressive public speaker, and that's putting it kindly, few people ever doubted the sincerity behind his words. Now that he's gone, those words reverberate with meaning.
Today's Boulevard is dedicated to the memory of Nevada's nice-guy governor with occasional quotes excerpted from the program for his memorial service. As you'll see, Guinn's influence was felt at many levels.
FIRST BREAK: Back when Kathy Buccieri Lofland was a waitress at the Village Pub (now the Ellis Island), she witnessed Clark County School District Superintendent Guinn's kindness.
"Kenny came for lunch about three days a week. At the same time my best friend, Mickey Harris, had moved here from Ohio with her teaching degree. She was substituting and couldn't get a contract. So I asked Kenny if he could help her. He handed me a bar napkin and told me to write down her name and number. Within a few weeks she received a call from Kenny. He said I reviewed your documents, and I've put your folder on the top of the pile. She received a contract that fall and began teaching at Diskin Elementary. She retired a few years ago after 30 years in the district. She always told her colleagues that her friend the 'cocktail waitress' got her the job."
With a little help from Kenny Guinn.
"It's true that education costs money. But so does ignorance."
STATESMAN GUINN: Former Las Vegan Brad Shoen and brother Lance played sports against Guinn's son, Jeff. They were, Shoen admits, just acquaintances.
"But still, 10, 20, 30 years after the fact, he would walk up and call me by name," Shoen recalls. "Kenny, along with Brian Cram and others, built the Clark County School District into one of the better school districts in the country.
"As a member of the Clark County Public Education Foundation, I watched Brian Cram become overwhelmed by the growth. Kenny Guinn must have shuddered as he watched the district he helped build shrink to the bottom of all national education rankings."
"Contrary to popular Tea Party beliefs, this country was founded by 'statesmen,' not ideologues," he said. "Not only in Nevada, but in the entire country, we need more 'statesmen.' "
"The best way to lead people is to be positive and enthusiastic consistently. And it has to be consistent because good leadership doesn't come in gusts."
THE MENTOR: When Guinn was UNLV's $1-a-year president, Stephanie Boixo Goodman was the university's student body president. Whether it was assistance with budgets or the UNLV infrastructure, Guinn was ready to share his knowledge.
"He was just very helpful to me, even kind of a mentor and teacher then," recalls Goodman, owner of SCBG Advertising. "Any time I needed anything or had a question, his office door was always open. He was always incredibly kind and always went out of his way for me."
RAGGIO REMEMBERS: Legislative lion Bill Raggio gave one of the eulogies at Guinn's memorial service, and he told of the time he spent the night at the Governor's Mansion. The next morning, he was surprised at the service he received.
"I can brag that I was the only legislator in the whole nation whose governor brought him coffee in the morning," Raggio said.
"As your governor, I believe we must measure success by how we are able to care for the most fragile of our citizens -- our children, our elderly, and those who are disabled. We cannot afford to do everything, but there are some things we can't afford not to do."
Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? E-mail comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0295. He also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/smith.
