RICHARD STEPHENS / PVT Workmen install equipment atop a new cell phone tower in Beatty -- the first one in town. The tower is located on property owned by the Beatty Community Church west of the church building. The fellow hanging on the rig was heard to yell, "Woo-hoo, I love my job!" as he swung from the heights. Advertisement

The Beatty Town Advisory Board Wednesday voted to ask the county to pursue misdemeanor charges against Tal Leverett, owner of the Phoenix Inn, for nonpayment of room taxes and to investigate what action might be taken against the business' license.

The legal grounds for revoking a license for nonpayment of room tax is not clear, since it is not included in the wording of the ordinance, although the license itself states that it must be maintained in good standing.

The board pointed out that the Phoenix Inn had been in arrears for two years before reaching a settlement with the county, but that it was now another five months in arrears.

There was some discussion about whether closing down a business would be good for the community, but Joannie Jarvis said that "right is right and wrong is wrong," and that the owner was operating a business illegally.

Teresa Sullivan said, "The goal is not to shut down a business, but to get them into compliance."

Sullivan and Jarvis were appointed as the board's representatives to work with Nevada Health Centers and the county to try to resolve issues with the Beatty Clinic. The main issue at present is the loss of round-the-clock emergency coverage.

The current physician at the clinic will leave soon, and Sullivan reported that, although NHC said they have been recruiting for 14 months, no replacement has been found.

She added, however, that until a replacement was found, other doctors would be covering, so the clinic will not be without a care provider.

Nye County Commissioner Joni Eastley reported on her efforts to secure funds to promote the development of renewable energy projects in the county. She said a half-million-dollar earmark had been included in the House version of the federal energy bill, and she has been working to try to get it added to the Senate version.

Eastley also said that she is working on a resolution to use the county's $560,000 share of geothermal lease money for renewable energy. She said she'd like to see it used to install solar energy sources on county buildings to reduce the county's energy bills. She also said she'd like to see it create some "green-collar" jobs in the county.

"It's only a dream until we throw a pair of overalls on it and let it go to work," she added.

"Stretch" Baker, representing the Tonopah Development Corp. presented a plaque to Dave Spicer in recognition of his help and use of his equipment.

Spicer, who operates a decorative stone and gravel business in Beatty, has contributed a great deal of time, labor, and material for various community projects. He, Mike Lasorsa and Brad Hunt were also thanked for their part in the acquisition and planting of Beatty's new town Christmas tree.

The board approved two requests for funds by the Beatty Museum and Historical Society: $1,726 for a gazebo, and $884 for concrete, sand, wood and miscellaneous materials for the "memory path."

Suzy McCoy said the memory path would be a source of funds for a future addition to the museum, which would include an archival room and space for educational programs.

The board also approved spending up to $4,000 for the town Christmas party this year -- an increase of $1,000 over years past -- and up to $1,200 for a digital document camera that will enable the projection of paper copy onto a screen using a computer and the town's new projector.