Jim Petell Advertisement

James Petell was officially removed from his post of chairman of the Public Lands Advisory Board and any other appointments to boards or agencies representing the town of Pahrump by the town board at its regularly scheduled meeting last Tuesday.

Petell's removal was delayed over the course of a month due to his refusal on two separate occasions to receive notice of the hearing.

Although he appeared at the last board meeting to defend himself against what he called a "character assassination," he was not on hand for his ultimate removal at the meeting.

The process of Petell's removal began when several complaints about his being overbearing and threatening came to the attention of the town administration.

In the written back-up for his removal, Town Manager Dave Richards said Petell "has demonstrated behavior that others considered inappropriate for a representative of the town."

Among various other incidents, Richards cited one in which Petell reportedly demanded private information about an acquaintance's ambulance bill from the Pahrump Valley Fire and Rescue Service.

In addition, Petell is awaiting a hearing for a misdemeanor charge of harassment in Pahrump Justice Court for allegedly leveling a death threat against a local resident.

Prior to Petell's removal, Vice Chairman John McDonald read aloud from a letter he received from Susanne Gray in support of Petell.

Gray wrote that she had worked with Petell on issues regarding horses and burros on public lands.

"We found Mr. Petell to be articulate, very knowledgeable, and someone who is very knowledgeable about Nevada's needs," McDonald read.

The letter-writer also said she was "disgusted" and alleged that a person or persons within the town had a hidden agenda against Petell.

"Jim Petell is savvy and smart," Gray wrote. "He can be a little in your face, but we need him."

Murray conceded that Petell "has accomplished a lot through the public lands board, and we do appreciate that."