A Very Rewarding Year

By: Dan Roberts/Publisher
 
It’s been a very rewarding year.
 
Now I don’t mean financially; be assured that no one will ever confuse The Vegas Voice with any Fortune 500 Company. My partner Ray and I proudly continue our business practice of being the “best there is” in not making any money.
 
No, I mean a rewarding year in wanting to wake up every morning and “seize the day.” And looking back, its amazing what we accomplished in 2017.

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After 14 years of being that “little throw-away senior newspaper” we finally made the upgrade to this glossy magazine. For a guy who likes to change as quickly as an iceberg melts, I hope you can appreciate this publisher going “kicking & screaming.” But even I admit, (and hope you do too) the new look is great.
 
Our entertainment shows this year were spectacular. Entertainment editor Evan Davis deserves a standing ovation for producing outstanding and fabulous “strip” shows; not only our “Summer of Love” 50th anniversary concert, but bringing top-notch performers right to your clubhouse and centers.
 
Plans for next year? Just wait until we announce it next month. Three words: “Bigger & Better.”
 
And how this for rewarding? Our three-year effort to expose and achieve meaningful guardianship reform came to fruition in 2017.
 
With my Rana leading her Don(na) Quixote crusade, and with monthly articles shaming and harassing the Nevada Attorney General and Clark County District Attorney; they finally did the right thing for those victims (and families) emotionally and financially ruined by this scandal.
 
After our (it seemed) never-ending columns about that “poster-child”; private guardian April Parks was indicted, arrested and remains behind bars. To see her handcuffed, wearing that prison jumpsuit was rewarding beyond any words.
 
Without doubt, there is still an uphill climb to permanently eliminate this guardianship gulag system, but at least this occupant of the cesspool will never prey on seniors again. Plus, as those TV commercials claim: “Wait there’s more.”
 
After running back and forth to Carson City, early morning and late-night telephone calls, texts and emails too numerous to count with various Nevada Assemblymen and Senators, The Vegas Voice was successful in getting new legislation for guardianship reform.
 
To stand with Rana, Ray, project manager Bill Caserta and Nevada Senator Becky Harris when Governor Brian Sandoval signed our Guardianship reform bill into law, remains and will always be, one of the most rewarding moments in my life. To shake the Governor’s hand (and even receive the ceremonial pen) while watching my Rana (and all of us) smile made it all worthwhile.
 
For 2018, The Vegas Voice intends to place another “nail in the guardianship coffin” when we’ll make the annual guardianship tour across the valley (see page 9) starting in January.
 
We’ll be explaining the new laws (they go into effect on January 1st) and provide the “official” guardianship nomination forms. Our plans call for these forms, along with an on-site notary as well as representatives from the Nevada Secretary of State to complete and file your form in the new guardianship “lockbox.” A complete “one-stop shopping” – all FREE.
 
Quite a rewarding year, but Rana has even bigger plans to get me out of bed next year! Until then, our entire Vegas Voice family wishes your family unlimited joy, happiness, and exceptional health in 2018.