Study increases scrutiny of Child Haven’s role in social service system

The debate continues over the future of Child Haven.

The publication this week of UNLV School of Social Work professor Leroy Pelton’s examination of the child and family service network in Southern Nevada is generating strong opinions on both sides of his argument that the children would be better served by the system if Child Haven were shut down and its budget redistributed.

(Read the study at reviewjournal.com/news/childwelfarereport.)

"It’s a war out there, and we’re doing the best that we possibly can by helping one child at a time," one front-line employee from Child Protective Services says.

But others disagree and believe the best place for Child Haven is in Southern Nevada’s past. Their comments are forthcoming.

MANDALAY INCIDENT: A recent column on the arrest on state terrorism threat charges of Iranian-born Canadian citizen Reza Nazarinia generated a variety of community responses, mostly from people who wanted to know how the man who said he would "blow down" the resort managed to get out of jail so quickly.

Nevada Commission on Homeland Security member Maureen Peckman noted that it was the casino’s employees who spotted the problem and took the initiative to make sure Nazarinia was apprehended.

"Anything we can do as a community to encourage people to participate in protecting our community is invaluable," Peckman says.

Those casino employees deserve credit for making sure management was informed of the problem.

DINA’S ENDORSEMENT: It’s no big surprise that Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus would endorse Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid, or that Clinton’s camp wisely would name the UNLV political science professor to co-chair the "Women of the West" coalition.

What is surprising is that, by comparison, so few of Clinton’s challengers appear to have anything approaching a ground game in Nevada. It’s early, but she’s almost pitching a shutout.

Some will point to Clinton’s money advantages as a key reason for her success, but cash hasn’t made Barack Obama look great in the Silver State. It takes organization and long-range planning, and Clinton’s growing list of endorsements shows that increasing numbers of Democrats believe she can win not only Nevada, but also the ’08 election.

ARMSTRONG’S CLASS: Newspaperman and public servant Bryn Armstrong, who died Saturday at age 91, added class and distinction to both beleaguered endeavors.

The former Las Vegas Sun and Reno Evening Gazette editor cared about the craft of journalism and remained a charming bon vivant long after he scrubbed the ink stains from his fingers.

FIREFIGHTER AUCTION: It’s just not fair. Not only do local firefighters negotiate the best contracts, but women actually bid for their company, too.

The "Sound the Alarm" Firefighter Bachelor Auction is set to smolder starting at 6 p.m. today inside The Pearl at the Palms. It will raise money for the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases and the UMC Burn Center.

Along with the auction, word is that the all-male Mosaic singers and Chippendales will perform. I guess that makes them the appetizers before the main course.

NINA’S NIGHT: Sassy Avril Lavigne brought her pop/punk show to The Pearl at the Palms last week to help raise money on "Nina’s Night Out" for the Rape Crisis Center. The fundraiser was created, promoted and hosted by former KVBC-TV, Channel 3, anchor Nina Radetich, who just accepted a job offer from KTNV-TV, Channel 13.

Last year, the center handled 5,619 hot line calls, and through support groups and educational outreach served 16,572 people.

ON THE BOULEVARD: In addition to Radetich, Channel 13 is adding award-winning former KVBC investigative reporter Darcy Spears to its lineup. … On the river, it will be interesting to watch how the new management at the Colorado Belle conducts itself. Will new officials respect the experience of the casino’s veterans? … Mike Hoover, embattled owner of Albion Books, one of Southern Nevada’s great used bookstores, is fighting just to hang onto his stock after a financial setback. Size of his collection: 100,000 books. … Speaking of books, World War II pilot and five-term legislator John DuBois has penned a historical novel, "Kill the Truth, Save the Crown." The story is set in World War II around the flight and capture of Nazi Rudolph Hess.

Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? E-mail comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call 383-0295.