Fourth interview in a series of five with Nevada State Senator Joe Neal conducted by Claytee D. White on March 24, 2006. Born in Mounds, Louisiana, in 1935, Neal joined his family in Las Vegas as a young man shortly before serving in the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1958. Following his military service, he earned a bachelor's degree in political science at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Neal continued his education at the Institute of Applied Science in Chicago, Illinois, with postgraduate work in law. From 1973 to 2001, he served in the Nevada Legislature as the Senator from Clark County Senatorial District No. 4. In the fourth interview, Neal shares opinions on capital punishment, southern Nevada utility ownership, the ethics and political influence of the gaming industry, high hospital costs, and the bailout of the Economic Opportunity Board, among other issues. He comments on his induction into the Nevada State Senate Hall of Fame and reviews changes in Las Vegas over the years, particularly in education. Neal closes with thoughts on the future of downtown Las Vegas and the potential impact of planned renovations and high-rise buildings on the Westside.
Shirley Edmond and Althia Taylor grew up on Jackson Avenue where their parents owned Johnson's Malt Shop. Both women worked in the postal service until their retirements; Shirley worked for 36 years and Althia for 32 years. Shirley went into management but Althia loved mail delivery even after 14 dog bites. Mackie Edmond worked for the Stardust and interacted with MOB figures like Frank Rosenthal. He explains why people thought that era was better than corporate ownership.
American film star Evelyn Brent was born on October 20 between 1895 and 1901 in Tampa, Florida. She moved to Brooklyn, New York as a teenager where she earned jobs modeling. While in school, Brent visited the World Film Studio in Fort Lee, New Jersey and was offered a job acting. She made her screen debut in A Gentleman from Mississippi (1914), and went on to star in films and television until 1960. She starred in Howard Hughes' adaptation of Rex Beach's novel The Mating Call in 1928.