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September 21, 2005
Beatty seeks project for downtown redevelopmentCENTRAL NYE COMMUNITY HAS FUNDING AVAILABLE; PUBLIC WORKSHOP SCHEDULED
By RICHARD STEPHENS
Some ideas were developed at an Amargosa Toad workshop in Beatty months ago, but nothing firm has been proposed. Further, Commissioner Joni Eastley advises that, to be successful, the project needs plenty of public input. "A priority is to get the community behind whatever plan you come up with," said Eastley. She talked about successful projects Tonopah has used its part of the money for, including a monument, a mural project, storefront renovation, and tearing down an old motel that was an eyesore. "Let your imagination be your guide," said Eastley. "If you can get people involved and enthusiastic, a little fever will develop." Local resident Dave Spicer, who has donated labor and material for community beautification in the past, said there needs to be a commitment on the part of the community and various local groups and agencies to maintain whatever projects might be built. As an example, he spoke of the need for water for any planting involved. Spicer threw out a couple of ideas, including beautifying Cottonwood Avenue from Highway 95, past the high school and cemetery to the Bill Sullivan Justice Center as a tribute to the late judge. He also spoke of the possibility of using colored rock to produce huge murals on the sides of mountains in the area as a draw for visitors. The town board is scheduling a public workshop in conjunction with their Sept. 28 meeting to gather ideas from all interested parties. To encourage participation, they will be sending a flyer to all local mailboxes. Spicer was also able to shed some light on the progress of the cleanup of the abandoned trailer park near the elementary school. At the request of the county, he has investigated and delivered a report on possible methods for removing the old mobile homes on the property and affecting the cleanup. He is waiting for a reply. Eastley said that some work has been carried out, and that the commissioners get a progress report at every meeting. In other Beatty news: • With the Beatty General Improvement District having already approved the move, the board voted to do away with the Beatty Habitat Committee as an entity under the town board and to transfer it under the umbrella of the Beatty General Improvement District. In the same motion, they agreed to continue funding the organization until the end of this fiscal year June 30, 2006, using line-item money set aside for this purpose. • The issue of room tax collection was brought up again. District Chairman Brad Hunt disagreed with an opinion handed down by the district attorney's office that government contract employees are exempt from the room tax if it is billed directly to the government and not to the contractors. He said the law reads that they are not exempt "even if the financial burden falls directly on the federal government." Eastley said audits of various motels and RV parks in the Beatty area are under way. |
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