America bank las vegas: The other side of Las Vegas - Nevada
Waterhole #17 or desert oasis? This boom town has turned the tables on glitz and proven that life can be more than fun and games.
The taxi ride from McCarran International Airport to the Sahara Hotel takes less than 15 minutes, but that's long enough for most first-time visitors to get a picture of Las Vegas much different than they expected. This is especially true if your driver is someone like Murray Cohen. Cohen, a 14-year veteran behind the wheel of his Checker Cab, has transported his share of the 21 million visitors who flock to this international playground each year.
"Welcome to America's greatest city," he says with more than a hint of pride as he pulls away from the curb. "You may be surprised' at all you find here."
One look at the surrounding scenery convinces you that he is right. The city is much more than a single strip of concrete, lined with the flashing lights of casinos. It's massive, with houses and shopping centers catering to the needs of the 880,000 permanent residents. Even more impressive are the large numbers of churches, synagogues, schools, and public-service centers.
The geography is awe-inspiring in its natural beauty. The desert community rests in a huge bowl encircled by mountains, the most dominant being the towering Mr. Charleston.
But this is just the beginning of revelations for those introduced to Las Vegas only through the media. The press often focuses on the alleged problems of the desert oasis-- gambling, gangsters, and ladies of the night--where morals supposedly melt like ice cream cones on the sidewalks in mid-August. The real Las Vegas promotes a staunchly conservative sense of values that insists upon a nightly curfew for youngsters and boasts an ordinance mandating its judges to double the sentence of anyone convicted of committing a crime against a senior citizen.
This is not to imply that the city is old-fashioned or lacks progress. "It's just the opposite," says Peter Thomas, president of the Valley Bank of Nevada. "Las Vegas is made up of a lot of people who don't know the meaning of the words 'can't' or 'won't.'" Thomas, who has been instrumental in helping new business owners establish themselves in the area, explains that any city that houses a few progressive people will normally have a vast majority who dig in their heels for the sole purpose of maintaining the status quo. But in Las Vegas that element is missing or is such a minority that it plays no significant role.
"There's a genuine pannership for progress between the political, educational, and business ends of the community," claims Thomas. "One of the reasons is that our citizens must deal with one of nature's more unforgiving environments--the desert. Frankly, each resident knows that he or she could perish without community cooperation."
Peter Thomas is one of many zealots who resort to superlatives when describing the "other side of Vegas"--a side unknown by most, but even more fascinating than the obvious glitz and glitter of the famous "Strip." And once visitors allow themselves to see this other side, they fall in love with the city, its people, and the positive attitude toward life that exists here.
Formerly, Las Vegas (Spanish for "the meadows") was just a railroad town--a stopover known as "Waterhole #17"--for trains that had to take on water at this halfway point between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles. The city has grown tremendously since then and community pride is obvious. Residents point out that the city has more churches per capita than any other city in the world--237 churches and synagogues serving 40 denominations, Priorities include education, as reflected by the 164 public schools, making up the country's 14th largest school district,
Of course the recreational opportunities are legendary. Visitors can expect an 86 percent chance of sunshine--pretty good odds even in Las Vegas. Clear skies lure vacationers outdoors. Twenty-one of America's most beautiful golf courses challenge amateurs and professionals 365 days a year. There are natural wonders such as Red Rock Canyon State Park. 15 miles west of the city, the setting for a 3,000-foot-high mass of multicolored pinnacles and boulders that jut from the canyon floor. Lake Mead. the largest manmade lake in the Western Hemisphere, is a half-hour drive away. One of the seven man-made wonders of the world, Hoover Dam. is only 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas. and is a favorite spot for tourists.
Landmarks are only part of the story. The other side of Las Vegas is dynamic because of the creative ideas of its city leaders. Not long ago, city fathers became disturbed at the negative reports of would-be high rollers who lost fortunes with a toss of the dice or spin of the wheel. Determined to attract more familyoriented visitors. they decided to include one hotel on the Strip geared primarily for "children of all ages." Thus was born "Circus Circus." featuring clowns, animals, jugglers, magicians, acrobats. and trapeze artists.
"You can't get an idea that's too big for Las Vegas," says a native New Yorker who relocated more than a decade ago.
Unfortunately, ideas in themselves mean very little unless they're put into action. Las Vegas is one city where the people are not afraid to take risks. In most instances these risks have paid big dividends through what residents call a "can-do" spirit.
"This is the most aggressive. optimistic, bullish city in America," says Dr. Robert C. Maxson, president of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas--the nation's fastest growing public university. In 1969 the enrollment was a piddly 1,059; today the student population exceeds 15.000.
Maxson knows from personal experience that a good idea will get attention and action. When Max son first stepped on campus in 1984 he discovered that 48 percent of graduating seniors from Nevada's high schools left the state to attend college. He was particularly disturbed that only six of the state's valedictorians chose to attend UNLV. At a speech given at a local service club, the wiry, almost slight president whose handshake could crush rocks. mentioned. "We must stop the 'brain drain.' We give scholarships to those who run fast and jump high. Why can't we give a $10,000 scholarship to every valedictorian who elects to attend one of our state universities?"
Good idea. Only one thing was missing--the money.
News reached the concerned citizens. including one sympathetic woman who knocked on Dr. Maxson's office door and calmly announced she was giving a $1 million endowment to provide the necessary funds for valedictorians who chose to accept the offer.
The idea worked. In a two-year period, 41 valedictorians enrolled at UNLV.
Sheriff John T. Moran saw another need. Before his election as the county's chief law enforcement officer. he knew that tourists were often accosted by a parade of prostitutes in front of the hotels along Las Vegas Boulevard. This had to stop if the city expected to attract families. In less than 21 days, Sheriff Moran and his staff literally cleared them from the streets. Today, a father and mother can walk any street of the city with their children without fear of being embarrassed
Las Vegas certainly is not without its shortcomings. Former two-time governor, now executive editor of the Las Vegas Sun. Donal "Mike" O'Callaghan admits that gambling has brought some problems. "But corn brings its share of problems to Iowa: cars to Detroit: oil to Texas. Yet," says this tough, decorated ex-Marine who lost a leg during the Korean War. "we have been able to meet these problems head-on. I, therefore, have never had to apologize for our state or for our city."
Visitors leave their hotels for a taxi ride back to the airport and depart, with more than a bit of reluctance. The community pride, the creative imagination and, most especially, the "can-do" spirit, have had a profound effect on them.
For those aware of what is really going on, the best show in town is the town itself.
