Las Vegas Sun - History

March 28, 2024

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Local Leaders Express Sorrow Over SUN Publisher’s Death

County Commissioner Paul Christensen said simply, "What can you say?"

"We've lost a guy who was always a champion for the little guy," Christensen said. "It's the end of an era in the community. It makes me feel bad. It's always a blow. The town will never be the same."

Las Vegas Mayor Ron Lurie said he had known Greenspun since the mayor was a child.

"It's terrible," Lurie said. "It's sad. He was a tremendous asset to the community and never at a loss for words or opinions."

County Commissioner Thalia Dondero said she admired Greenspun strength. "He was able to see what was going on in the world, the U.S. and locally and he was able to evaluate it," Dondero said.

UNLV President Robert Maxson said Greenspun will take a place in American history.

"Hank Greenspun represents a slice of Americana that we rarely see," Maxson said. He recalled the newspaper publisher's courageous stand against Sen. Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s as a wave of anti-communism swept the country.

"Hank saw people like McCarthy were dangerous before other people that he was. He did not champion ethnic issues, he stood for human rights issues," Maxson said.

"Like Nevada, he had an independent, aggressive, can-do spirit," he added.

"Everyone knew Hank, " said County Commissioner Karen Hayes, "even the little people. He had courage to stand up and say when something was wrong and then fight for it.

"He was an integral part of this community and a lot of what we are, we owe to him and he left a wonderful legacy," she added.

Clark County Sheriff John Moran expressed shock and grief on learning of Greenspun's death.

"Hank has been a dear friend going back a long time when I was just a lieutenant on the old Las Vegas Police Department. He was always there when we in law enforcement needed someone in the media to help us with a special case or assignment.

"I appreciated his friendship very much. He was a credit to this community and a dear, dear friend and I'm going to miss him greatly," Moran said.

"He was like a second father to me," said Clark County School District President Daniel Newburn. "Anything I've been able to do or accomplish here has been in large part due to his support and encouragement. The whole world has lost a good man."

North Las Vegas Mayor James Seastrand first met 1961. A director for the now-defunct Vegas Village stores, he frequently worked with Greenspun because Vegas Village advertised heavily in the SUN.

"We had a good relationship with him," Seastrand said. "He would occasionally attend our board meetings to service the advertising account himself."

Seastrand praised Greenspun's fearlessness in tackling the issues facing the Las Vegas Valley.

"He's had a great journalistic impact," Seastrand said. "Hank has not been afraid to go into any subject and give his opinion. That's been healthy for the community. I will miss Hank and his thoughts on things."

Henderson Mayor Lorna Keterson was a SUN correspondent for almost 30 years, starting in 1957. She said Greenspun's influence in Henderson, especially in the shaping of Green Valley, has always been positive.

"Through the years, Hank has had a lot to do with the destiny of Henderson," she said. "He was a pioneer for Henderson. He was always supportive of Henderson, even way back when nobody cared about it."

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