quickly for most people, it seemed to drag on forever for Kathy Augustine’s family as they anxiously awaited the results of toxicology tests that were being performed on Kathy’s blood and urine by the FBI’s crime laboratory. As July came to a close and moved into August, her family and friends recalled her laughter, the fact that she was an accomplished pianist, as well as a swimmer in school, and an upbeat person who was fond of collecting elephant figurines and throwing birthday bashes for members of her staff. Although many people had known her as tough and abrasive, there were just as many people, perhaps more, who had seen and recognized the funny, kind, and caring side of Kathy Augustine. Her brother Phil pointed out that her favorite singer had been Barbra Streisand, a liberal Democrat.
On the other side of the coin, there were those who would always remember the Kathy Augustine who seemed to make waves wherever she went. Nevada Republican Party chairman Paul Adams, who had worked hard to get her ostracized from her party, was one of those people. About two months before her death, Adams had introduced a motion at the state GOP convention that would effectively change the party’s bylaws to prevent party support, financial or otherwise, for candidates who had been impeached and found guilty. His motion was approved, and many people, both from within and outside the party, had viewed his actions as an unswerving political assault against Kathy.
Adams had also made the remark after her death, published in the Las Vegas Review-Journal: “My goal was for her to live a long and productive life, just not as a Republican candidate.” Kathy’s family, including her mother, had read Adams’s statement and had taken offense to it. Phil Alfano indicated that he was going to “make sure her reputation doesn’t get trashed.” After taking considerable heat over making the remark, Adams apologized.
“I understand all of it has been difficult for them (Kathy’s family),” Adams said. “I would apologize for any difficulty I caused for the family, and from now on, I will have no more comments.”
Nonetheless, as cruel and mean-spirited as such comments may be perceived, they do go with the territory of being a politician.
At another point during the summer, Kathy’s brother announced that a scholarship fund had been established in Kathy Augustine’s name. It was designed for students who wanted careers in public service.
“It is one way for her spirit to live on,” Phil Alfano said.
Recounting an episode depicting the marital lives of Kathy and Higgs, Winifred Cindy Baker, a nurse and a witness on behalf of the state, who had been mentored by Higgs at Washoe Medical South, related an incident in which Kathy had brought Higgs into the hospital’s emergency room for treatment of what was termed a “severe allergic reaction.” Higgs was obviously having a difficult time breathing. While hospital personnel were attempting to obtain information about Higgs and his condition, Kathy was purportedly talking about herself and an unspecified project that she was currently working on. At one point, Baker interjected and explained to Kathy that the hospital staff was not there for her at that time, and that they were there for Chaz, who presently wasn’t doing too well. Baker’s remarks clearly hadn’t won Kathy over as a friend, and Kathy, regardless of Chaz or his condition, hadn’t hesitated to let her know it.
“I can have your job by the end of the day,” Kathy reportedly said to Baker.
There were other incidents of unpleasant exchanges, usually over the phone when Kathy would call to speak with Higgs.
The next time Baker saw Kathy Augustine was on the morning of July 8, 2006, when paramedics brought her into the emergency room. Although Kathy was being treated by Marlene Swanbeck and Chris McCabe, Baker was on duty that morning. Curiosity took her into the area where Swanbeck and McCabe were
On the other side of the coin, there were those who would always remember the Kathy Augustine who seemed to make waves wherever she went. Nevada Republican Party chairman Paul Adams, who had worked hard to get her ostracized from her party, was one of those people. About two months before her death, Adams had introduced a motion at the state GOP convention that would effectively change the party’s bylaws to prevent party support, financial or otherwise, for candidates who had been impeached and found guilty. His motion was approved, and many people, both from within and outside the party, had viewed his actions as an unswerving political assault against Kathy.
Adams had also made the remark after her death, published in the Las Vegas Review-Journal: “My goal was for her to live a long and productive life, just not as a Republican candidate.” Kathy’s family, including her mother, had read Adams’s statement and had taken offense to it. Phil Alfano indicated that he was going to “make sure her reputation doesn’t get trashed.” After taking considerable heat over making the remark, Adams apologized.
“I understand all of it has been difficult for them (Kathy’s family),” Adams said. “I would apologize for any difficulty I caused for the family, and from now on, I will have no more comments.”
Nonetheless, as cruel and mean-spirited as such comments may be perceived, they do go with the territory of being a politician.
At another point during the summer, Kathy’s brother announced that a scholarship fund had been established in Kathy Augustine’s name. It was designed for students who wanted careers in public service.
“It is one way for her spirit to live on,” Phil Alfano said.
Recounting an episode depicting the marital lives of Kathy and Higgs, Winifred Cindy Baker, a nurse and a witness on behalf of the state, who had been mentored by Higgs at Washoe Medical South, related an incident in which Kathy had brought Higgs into the hospital’s emergency room for treatment of what was termed a “severe allergic reaction.” Higgs was obviously having a difficult time breathing. While hospital personnel were attempting to obtain information about Higgs and his condition, Kathy was purportedly talking about herself and an unspecified project that she was currently working on. At one point, Baker interjected and explained to Kathy that the hospital staff was not there for her at that time, and that they were there for Chaz, who presently wasn’t doing too well. Baker’s remarks clearly hadn’t won Kathy over as a friend, and Kathy, regardless of Chaz or his condition, hadn’t hesitated to let her know it.
“I can have your job by the end of the day,” Kathy reportedly said to Baker.
There were other incidents of unpleasant exchanges, usually over the phone when Kathy would call to speak with Higgs.
The next time Baker saw Kathy Augustine was on the morning of July 8, 2006, when paramedics brought her into the emergency room. Although Kathy was being treated by Marlene Swanbeck and Chris McCabe, Baker was on duty that morning. Curiosity took her into the area where Swanbeck and McCabe were
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