Today Mayor Oscar Goodman spoke to the best crowd we've had lately - 23 members and 8 guests, including our friends Bernie and Jennifer Hunt. In past surveys Mayor Goodman is our all-time favorite speaker, and he did not disappoint. I've sat with him before, and recently heard him speak at another luncheon, so I'll add tidbits from those occasions. The Mayor does not eat lunch. In his career as a litigator he was always preparing to go to court which resulted in a nervous stomach. So he learned to do without the mid-day meal. He was previously asked his position on legalized prostitution, to which he declared his opposition based on his constituents belief it is immoral and because of the slave trade which has resulted. But he considers it an American right to have the debate, which he supports.
He described his movie career and the permit process. Previously he mentioned that he cannot memorize lines, so the directors hated working with him. Maybe that's the reason for so many cutting room floors. This must be a learning defect of some sort because he is as sharp and quick witted as ever. The stories of his successes downtown are legendary. When I moved here 17 years ago previous mayors were trying to so the same things; Oscar Goodman is elected and presto, most of it got accomplished. Well, maybe 12 years isn't presto, but Brett Grant, slightly right-of-center Republican, complimented a liberal democrat as the best we've had, and he got a standing ovation. Are these Rotarians? Such passion!
He expressed an opinion on Neonopolis, its owner and the problems. Arson and getting whacked were solutions mentioned.
Jerry Kops and Mike Link asked two great questions. Jerry asked about his mob past and we got a terrific story about his client, Jimmy Chagra, and the murder trail in San Antonio where the sitting judge was murdered. When the cabbie picked him up to leave, he asked the future mayor if he was here for the Chagra trial, and then described how Chagra should be strung up and, well, tortured for what he had done to the the good judge. Then the cabbie asked Oscar which side he was on...Oscar replied "the FBI."
Mike then asked Oscar to join our club on July 7, when he leaves office. The Mayor did not say no! Who is going to follow up? We should have to buy tickets to sit with him each week; can you imagine? His Honor is interviewing with the Convention Authority among others for his post political career. Canyon Gate is home to the top LVCVA people, maybe we got a shot.
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| Apr 26, 2011 -- Oscar Goodman visits |
Next week we have John L. Smith, popular Review Journal columnist. What a line up lately, don't miss it!
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