BEATTY -- A sense of urgency.

That is what Beatty Town Advisory Board Member Bert Bertram feels, and what he wants his fellow Beatty-ites to share, regarding the town's need for a master plan to guide and control future development.

He has raised the subject several times in the past and addressed it at some length at the board's Sept. 9 meeting.

He began by calling attention to the troubles Pahrump has experienced as a result of early, unregulated development and the town's ongoing battles in which developers seek deviations from the master plan that is now in place.

"I wish that I could get the people of the town of Beatty to see that now is the time to get what we want before somebody starts to carve it up," said Bertram. "We need to get something set in stone that we can defend."

Evidently alluding to the work of the Beatty Habitat Committee and the Beatty General Improvement District, Bertram said that "we need to set aside at least the bare minimum -- hopefully more -- for habitat, for recreation."

Bertram's frustration was evident as he spoke of the need to generate interest in planning among the residents of Beatty. So far, the board's call for members of a planning committee has generated only three applications, from Shirley Harlan, Teresa Sullivan, and Ryan Tweney.

Speaking from the audience, Sullivan suggested that once the committee begins working, its activity might generate more interest.

Bertram admitted that he lacked the knowledge of how to even get started on the project, and Tweney said that, logically, the first step would be to gather documents from other communities to see what their plans look like.

After discussion, the board formally established the committee, initially consisting of Harlan, Sullivan, Tweney, and Bertram.

The board's newest member, Kitty Shubert, advised the board and audience that the Beatty Economic Development Corp. needs a board member to replace Lamar Walters, who resigned. Anyone interested should submit a letter of application.

Albert Verrilli also told the board that the BEDC may need financial assistance, as its tax obligation had turned out to be more than anticipated -- some $7,000 per year.

Secretary Janet Rogers said Valley Electric has marked locations for power poles along Cottonwood Avenue for a power line that will provide street lights and will also connect to the new Beatty Hornet sign, which will be illuminated.

Beatty High School student body president Nick Gorman thanked the board and all who had helped for their support in having the sign made and installed. He said the students appreciated the support of school spirit.

Rogers said Valley Electric had also marked locations of the planned street lights for the downtown beautification project. One would require permission from an owner to run a power line across private property.