On an unknown date (likely 1999-2000) and time, K.J. Evans interviewed Ralph Denton, an adviser to former Governor Grant Sawyer and political figure in Nevada for many years. Denton first talks about his personal friendship with Sawyer, their education in law school, and his eventual work on campaigning for and working with Sawyer after he became governor. Denton then explains the controversy regarding Denton’s accepting of complimentary services (comps) at hotels. He later describes his work as a Clark County Commissioner and then talks about working as district attorney in Esmeralda County, Nevada. Denton then talks about the influences that led him to be interested in a career of law and later speaks more about working with Grant Sawyer, specifically about serving as his adviser, afterwards providing the argument on why he believes Sawyer was the greatest governor of Nevada. Toward the latter part of the interview, Denton describes his work on improving civil rights and some of the challenges that came with that. The two also discuss how the practice of law has changed over time. To conclude the interview, Denton describes his experience in running for governor and how he would have served as governor if he had been elected.
Phil Tobin with neighbor Jack Summers at an unknown location. Mountains are visible in the background. In 1931, as a freshman Assemblyman, Phil Tobin introduced a bill to legalize gambling in Nevada. A Humboldt County rancher and buckaroo, the 29-year old had no interest in gambling himself. Instead, he correctly believed legalized gambling would benefit the public and especially schools thanks to tax revenues. At the time, illicit gambling houses were thriving in Las Vegas, and with Hoover Dam slated to begin construction 40 miles away, many feared the increased Federal presence associated with the Dam construction effort would lead to a clamp-down. The measure passed. After serving out his term, Tobin returned to ranch life for good.
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Ann Clark Kanie, elementary teacher, exemplifies the love of teaching in Clark County. Her mother, Marie Larson Clark Dane, taught elementary school at Lincoln Elementary School for 35 years. Ann attended Lincoln Elementary with her mother, Jim Bridger Junior High, Rancho, and then graduated from UNLV in elementary education. She also began teaching, like her mother, at Lincoln Elementary in North Las Vegas but later changed to Wasden Elementary which she obviously admires. Ann recalls growing up in Las Vegas and the fun that she and her friends enjoyed: participating in Helldorado Week, renting horses at Tule Springs or Old Nevada, riding bikes to the Meadows Mall and the Black Hole at the Springs Preserve, sliding down Becker’s Super Slide on Decatur Avenue, watching Disney movies at the Huntridge Theater, playing miniature golf and ice skating at Commercial Center, and going to Lake Mead and investigating the Potosi Mines. Ann married, continued teaching at Wasden. Her only son has chosen to follow his mother’s footsteps, graduated from UNLV in English education and teaches and coaches at Cimarron-Memorial High School. Even though she admits that teaching has become a very difficult, time-consuming job, it is obvious that Ann Kanie loves educating students and has passed this love on to her son.
In this clip, Henry Kronberg discusses acquiring Stoney's, a pawn shop on First Street, in 1964. When he arrived in Las Vegas in 1962, he worked with his brother-in-law at Pioneer Loan, then purchased Stoney's, which he grew into the most successful pawnshop in town. He discusses his business partner Dave Pearlmutter, and his international customers.
Part of an interview with Lovee duBoef Arum on November 1, 2016. In this clip, Arum discusses her childhood, family life, and what brought her to Las Vegas.