MARK WAITE / PVT Seldom has an innocuous sign and a $100 monthly lease generated so much discussion as the Pahrump-Las Vegas directional sign at Death Valley Junction done. Advertisement

Baking in the perpetually record-breaking heat at Death Valley Junction, where Highways 127 and 190 meet near State Line Road in California, is a large, blue sign informing drivers on the desolate road that Pahrump is only 23 miles away.

The sign also gives direct directions to Las Vegas (a daunting 85 miles away), informing motorists that to reach Sin City, they need only "turn right, then left."

Despite its innocuous helpfulness, this lonely marker's fate was thrown into question at the Pahrump Town Board's Aug. 28 meeting.

"No one can remember when this sign was installed, and it sat there for however long that is, until we improved it," Town Manager Dave Richards said with a bit of a sigh.

Richards told the board that it had recently come to the town's attention that the sign was actually located on private property owned by Lammpro LLC.

He also explained that the permit for the sign, issued by the California Department of Transportation, would expire in December 2008.

Fortunately, the property owners have offered to enter into a lease agreement with the town, for what might seem to some a measly $100 a month.

If the lease isn't approved by the board, the town manager explained, the sign would have to be removed by Sept. 20 -- this Sept. 20.

Yet, as in most cases of government and private business transactions, coming to a conclusion wasn't that simple, and a lengthy conversation about the sign's fate ensued.

Board Member Nicole Shupp quickly pointed out that the sign mostly advertises Las Vegas and suggested getting rid of it altogether.

"Is Las Vegas giving any money for this?" Shupp asked.

Richards explained that the sign actually directed drivers in such a way as to ensure they would visit Pahrump, describing it's directions as "an alternate route."

Shupp remained unconvinced.

"If they're out there, they're going to be reading a map," Shupp said.

Kenneth J. Plewe, survey field manager for CivilWise Services, interrupted the board's discussion from the podium and explained that he was a half-owner of the property and had brought the issue to Richards' attention.

"This sign is quite well placed," Plewe explained. "The tourists drive for basically six miles straight at this sign."

Unfortunately, Plewe added, this didn't ensure that motorists actually saw the sign, which was part of the reason he and Lammpro were asking for a lease.

"Somehow -- somehow -- they don't realize they're driving to a big blue sign, and there's been three collisions there," Plewe explained.

Plewe said he and the other owner are looking for a lease that would exempt them from any liability should another motorist hit the thing.

Plewe, a Pahrumpian "from before the cotton fields," stressed that he is all for promoting the town.

"California does not advertise for you guys," he said. "And if it wasn't for this sign, I think a lot of (tourists) would be off to Shoshone or out to Amargosa."

Vice Chairman John McDonald asked whether anyone had attempted to contact CalTrans, and he wanted to know why California couldn't erect a sign.

But alas, as Matt Luis, director of building and grounds explained, if California put the sign up, it would only be the most direct route, indicating which way to go for Pahrump, and which way to go to Las Vegas.

This implied that tourists would skip visiting Pahrump altogether and head for Highway 95 and Las Vegas.

"The sign is very important to the town of Pahrump," Luis told the board. "But if we ask California to pay for that sign, they're not going to pay nothing for that sign."

Simply moving the sign off the private property and close to the road was an option fraught with bureaucratic hurdles, not to mention the likelihood of even more collisions.

Chairman Laurayne Murray pointed out that signs erected by states only inform travelers about communities directly located on state highways or roads, which in this case do not include Pahrump.

Richards added that attempting to get approval for the sign could take a year to 18 months.

Ultimately, the board decided (with Shupp opposed) to approve the lease agreement, but also have town staff look into an alternate location, thus ensuring that motorists will keep on trucking through Pahrump.