First, a big thank you.

Thank you to the many community and civic leaders who, during my planned August absence, wrote sincere and sometimes provocative columns about important issues based on their own passions and experiences. The public is better served by their contributions, as were my vacation plans.

Las Vegas Sun readers are unique in that they have this opportunity to hear directly from those who believe in the greater good of public service and service to others.

It was my intention to get right back to my own efforts to continually inform our readers about matters of public interest. Even as we speak, the “crazy meter” keeps ticking higher and needs to be addressed.

However, a recent column in The New York Times by my friend and Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and author, To

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