4 January 20<strong>18</strong> PUBLISHER/EDITOR PRESIDENT VP ADVERTISING POLITICAL EDITOR ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR NIGHT LIFE EDITOR TRAVEL EDITOR RADIO HOST VIDEO DIRECTOR GRAPHICS EDITOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE PROJECT DIRECTOR Marty Allen Adrea Barrera John Bielun Victoria Boyd Yvonne Cloutier Dianne Davis Chuck Dean Jan Fair PROUD MEMBERS OF: Volume 14, Issue 11 OUR COLUMNISTS Linda Gomez Ali Guggenheim Dan Hyde Mike Landry BJ Killeen Kathy Manney Kyo Mitchell Mary Richard Who We Are We’ve very proud that in 2017, The <strong>Vegas</strong> <strong>Voice</strong> received a total of 8 state & federal awards for our publication; including the Nevada Press Association’s “Best Investigative Story” and its “Freedom of the Press Award” for upholding the principles of the First Amendment and protecting the public’s right in exposing the Clark County guardianship scandal. Dan Roberts dan@thevegasvoice.net Ray Sarbacker ray@thevegasvoice.net Debbie Landry debbie@thevegasvoice.net Rana Goodman rana@thevegasvoice.net Evan Davis evan@thevegasvoice.net Sam Wagmeister Stu Cooper Rich Natole Ary Mirochnik Michael Roberts Lou Lozitsky lou@thevegasvoice.net Bill Caserta bill@thevegasvoice.net Crystal Sarbacker Victoria Seaman Jim Valkenburg Beverly Washburn Devon Wickens Vicki Wentz James White Yes, I’m Sure By: Dan Roberts / Publisher “ You have to stop saying it.” That harsh statement from our political editor “woke me up.” I mean literally woke me up. Besides her position with The <strong>Vegas</strong> <strong>Voice</strong>, Rana Goodman is also my PILL (Partner in Love & Life). And after 5 years, I know that one of her “wonderful” traits is starting a serious conversation when we retire for the night. I, on the other hand, can get into bed and fall soundly asleep before my head hits the pillow. Hence her latest claim that there are times I don’t “listen to her.” “What did you say?” I mumbled. “Let’s discuss tomorrow since zzzz…” As expected, when tomorrow arrived, there was my Rana “laying-inwait” and (more than eager) to continue the discussion. Unfortunately for her, my Ladylove (once again) forgot my Number 1 rule: No conversations before my morning coffee. And, yes, I eventually apologized when I simply waved her off when pointing to my empty cup. Rana impatiently stared and glared at yours truly until I swallowed that last sip and then it was off to the races. “You can’t tell people that if they fill out the new guardianship forms, they will never be taken. You never know what the future holds.” Obviously, I cannot predict the future and should never say “never.” But this is what I know: 1. The new guardianship law (SB 229) providing the “Official Preference” form with Nevada Secretary of State lockbox provisions went into effect on January 1 st . 2. The private guardianship industry (featuring “poster child” April Parks) has been decimated due to The <strong>Vegas</strong> <strong>Voice</strong> 3-year pursuit of guardianship reform. When Rana started our investigation, there were nearly two dozen private guardians pursuing wards/victims in Clark County. Now there are only 2. You think that was a coincidence? Additionally, Ms. Parks still “resides” in the Big House and will likely remain behind bars for the rest of her life. “But Rana, you want to know why I can make that unconditional statement? It’s because you won’t let them.” I caught her off-guard with that statement and she allowed me to continue. I reminded her that under the new Ward’s Bill of Rights, any one taken has the absolute right to have a “senior advocate” and/or a “person of natural affection” to appear in guardianship court and argue on their behalf. “Can you imagine what you would do to them if someone needed your help?” Now while my Rana is not a lawyer (although she watches a lot of Judge Judy) I’ve seen her go after attorneys, judges, bureaucrats and state officials who tried to stop her Don(na) Quixote never-ending quest for guardianship justice. No kidding, it would be worthwhile to be “taken” solely to watch and see her in action. Let’s just say, it’s not a pretty sight and I strongly doubt that any current (or future) private or public guardian would try something sinister (or that suicidal) to anyone who correctly fills out the new guardianship form. Rana and I, along with our <strong>Vegas</strong> <strong>Voice</strong> family will have all guardianship information and forms this month when we make our presentations (see page 7). For those who have not yet RSVP, don’t get shut-out. Seats are going fast. And if you want to see Rana get on her soapbox, be sure to ask her about those ambulance-chasing, despicable, shyster lawyers charging a fee for the documents that we’re giving out for free. “So, you see Rana, with the Guardian Gladiator still around, the world is a much safer place.” She just smiled – and poured my second cup of coffee. Hopefully, I’ll fall asleep tonight without any interruptions. JOIN THE CONVERSATION: /EggWorksFamilyRestaurants @TheEggWorks @EggWorksRestaurants www.theeggworks.com $ 5 LIMIT ONE DISCOUNT PER TABLE. MUST PRESENT ORIGINAL COUPON AT CHECKOUT (NO PHOTOCOPIES). CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS. SINGLE DINERS: NOT APPLICABLE ON 1/2 ENTREES AND GETS UP TO $2.50 OFF. EXPIRES 01/31/20<strong>18</strong>. VOICE Start the new year off on a health kick with us! 5