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John L. Smith On Bonnie Bryan, The Urban League And The Sale of Fountainebleu

FILE- In this April 29, 2016, file photo, former Nevada Gov. and U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan kisses his wife, Bonnie, after an unveiling of a sculpture of him on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno. Bonnie Bryan died in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016. She was 77.
(AP Photo/Scott Sonner)

FILE- In this April 29, 2016, file photo, former Nevada Gov. and U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan kisses his wife, Bonnie, after an unveiling of a sculpture of him on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno. Bonnie Bryan died in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016. She was 77.

It’s safe to say Richard Bryan was easily one of the most popular governors in Nevada history. He also had a bandwagon of friends and supporters during his tenure as a U.S. Senator.

Even with all those allies and fans, it’s also true Bryan had his share of detractors and critics. He didn’t mind. When you’re in the public eye as an elected official, it comes with the turf.

But nobody -- and I mean nobody -- had an unkind word to say about First Lady Bonnie Bryan. Bonnie died last week at age 77 after fighting leukemia.

Now, when a Nevada First Lady passes away, it’s the standard protocol to remind residents who only vaguely recall her name what a wonderful person she was. But the fact is Bonnie Bryan was almost as well known and highly regarded as her popular husband during his very long political career. She was a tireless advocate of public education and children’s health and nutrition issues -- areas of great need in the Silver State.

Although she never held high elected office, she was also a tireless campaigner who genuinely liked Nevada’s incredibly diverse people.

The Bryans were married 54 years -- most of that spent in the public eye. First Lady Bonnie Bryan was a truly decent person who helped Nevada march forward even at times when it dragged its feet.

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The Clark County Las Vegas Urban League has seldom been without its critics during its long tenure in the community. The Urban League serves as a conduit through which federal community block grants and programs flow to communities of need. As such, its role is important -- and can play a very important part in troubled neighborhoods when its funding is focused and its programs are effective.

But these days the Urban League has found a critic in longtime Las Vegan Louis Overstreet, who has kept a watchful eye on such organizations and programs over the years.

Overstreet is questioning expenditures and salaries totaling many thousands of dollars at a time community block grants are coming under critical scrutiny nationally.

For his trouble, he recently received a cease and desist letter from an attorney for the organization.

Still, the allegations have generated an inquiry from the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services.

Whether the critic is on to something remains to be seen. But it’s something I’m currently looking into. I’ll report what I find.

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Good news coming for the north end of the Strip. No, this isn’t a football stadium update. It’s some positive vibes emanating from the once-promising Fontainebleau resort project.

Word has circulated for more than a year that Carl Icahn was hot to sell the place, which he picked up for a song. The place still needs to be finished, but more than a billion dollars has already been spent.

The good news is, the new owner will be motivated to get it completed and up and running. Make this one a story to watch.

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Finally, here are a couple of persons you need to hear more about before their memories fade from the passing parade.

It’s safe to say a number of people have played key roles in casino king Steve Wynn’s remarkable career, but few rival the impact of the architect Joe Bergman. Bergman, who died recently after a lengthy illness at age 80, was a casino architect with few peers.

He understood that casinos such as the Golden Nugget and Mirage weren’t simply boxes filled with slots and table games. They were environments with unique atmospheres. His attention to detail became an essential part of every property he designed, especially Wynn’s own.

And while we’re on the subject of people who had a genuine impact on the community, a generation of business and labor leaders will note the passing of attorney Kevin Efroymson recently at age 84. Efroymson was a tough-as-nails labor relations lawyer for Reynolds Electrical Co. at a time it operated many aspects of the Nevada Test Site and employed thousands of craft and professional workers. He defined the hard-nosed negotiator. And the fact he had almost as many mortal enemies as he had dear friends is a testament to his tenacity.

For KNPR’s State of Nevada, I’m John L. Smith.

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