Where I Stand -- Ruthe Deskin: Retiring doctor's wisdom, honesty will be missed

It isn't often an individual can serve in a public position for 35 years without having become the butt of harsh criticism at one time or another.

Dr. Otto Ravenholt, who is retiring from his position as Clark County's chief health officer, has escaped public vilification of any kind; instead he has maintained a consistent image of outstanding service through the years.

I first met Dr. Ravenholt shortly after he came to Las Vegas to take over the county health department.

He might not recall the incident, but I remember it well. There was a rather abusive battle going on between neighbors in an area where one resident kept a bunch of pigeons. The dispute actually went to court. I wrote a column about the diseases carried by pigeons, basing my observations on the complaint of one of the litigants.

Dr. Ravenholt promptly wrote me a long letter detailing the pros and cons of owning pigeons and their propensity for spreading disease. It was informative and not forgotten.

Another recollection involved our being appointed to a committee on fair housing.

At one of our meetings, Dr. Ravenholt leaned over and said, "There are too many lawyers on this committee. We will be here all day because they will argue over words by the hour."

He was right, but after many hours of discussion, the group did come up with a recommendation on fair housing to be given to then-Gov. Paul Laxalt.

Through the years I have found Otto Ravenholt to be a man of excellent humor and keen intelligence. He has been an honest, trustworthy and capable public servant for many, many years.

Somehow I can't believe Dr. Ravenholt will retire to fade into the woodwork. There's more work for him to do in our community.

It was shocking to read about the many cases of head lice found among our schoolchildren.

All of which brought some rather unpleasant memories of my own childhood.

I tell this so that parents might be aware of a sure cure for head lice.

It was routine before school started each year that we have a treatment guaranteed to keep the little pests out of our hair. My mother mixed a horrible concoction, the main ingredient of which was sheep dip, and shampooed until our scalps would tingle.

It worked on sheep -- and it worked on us.

Just thought this bit of home remedy might be helpful.

One thing you can say about the brouhaha surrounding the appointment of Regina Miller as coach of the UNLV Lady Rebels basketball team.

Many coaches come in with glowing expectations based on their previous records. Miller will start with a different kind of advantage. If she fails to produce a winning season, it will be no surprise to many local sports pundits. If she succeeds and is able to coach the team back into the win column, she will be an overnight heroine.

Miller can't lose. She has only one way to go and that is up.

Having depended on Brad Tyler for many years, it was a shock to call Fletcher Jones and be told, "He's no longer with us."

No one made any effort to explain and I didn't ask, so it was a relief to see a small notice in the newspaper that Brad was now with Frank Scandura at German Motors.

Brad Tyler is a good example of courteous service and customer caring. As an old customer, I speak for all who have dealt with him in the past in wishing him good luck.

Watching Larry Johnson slug it out with Alonzo Mourning on the basketball court made a believer out of me.

Neither will ever be ready to get in a ring with Mike Tyson. They both threw punches that never landed, but it was a disconcerting finish for a game between the Knicks and Miami Heat.

Johnson, whose retired jersey hangs from the rafters at Thomas and Mack, will sit out the first game against the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the NBA championship series.

When City Councilman Michael McDonald vowed to constituents that he would vote against a pawn shop at the corner of Decatur Boulevard and Meadows Lane, he ensured himself of a couple hundred votes.

"The problem is," he told supporters, "I am only one vote on the council."

But he did make that promise.

Like McDonald, House Speaker Newt Gingrich made a promise during his weekend visit to Las Vegas.

Gingrich said he was opposed to taxing meals that casinos provide for employees and would work to block any efforts by the IRS to do so.

He did make that promise.

Thought for the day comes from Henry Boye:

"Whenever you think of complaining about growing old, think of those who are denied the privilege."

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