MARK WAITE / PVT Pahrump Town Board candidate Margery Kay Behrens stands up and points to emphasize her argument during the meet and greet Thursday night. Advertisement

The issue of incorporation was still a hot topic for town board candidates during a meet and greet at the Artesia Community Center last week, though the topic is dead for this years election ballot.

"Nobody is listening to the community. Why? Why?" Pahrump Town Board candidate Margery Kay Behrens shouted out to the audience. "Did you guys vote for incorporation? Because I don't remember anybody voting for incorporation."

One woman in the audience said she did vote for it. The topic of incorporation last came up for a vote in November 2000 but was voted down by a 2-1 margin.

"It doesn't matter where I stand on incorporation or whether I voted for it, I am still your representative. So whichever way the majority votes, that's the way I'm supposed to go," Behrens replied. She predicted incorporation "will be forced down our throats in 2010."

Town board candidate Sean Brooks, a Nevada Department of Corrections fire safety officer, said he thought an outside source should study Pahrump incorporation, like the University of Nevada, Reno.

Vicky Parker denied she served on the town incorporation committee but said her husband had. Parker said she also served on the Pahrump Valley Community Action Team, the Great Basin College advisory board and the economic development group PAVED.

"The town has an incorporation advisory board. It's in hiatus or hibernation at the time being. But they also have had 25 meetings. I went to every single one of them," Parker said. "The county refused to put it on the ballot. However, we can incorporate without going to the county."

If Pahrump incorporated the town would be able to control its own planning, zoning and public works department, Parker said.

Town board candidate Larky White said, "There would be a substantial cost to incorporate because the county is not just going to give us the infrastructure. We would have to build it. Then we would pay more."

The only incumbent town board member in the forum seeking reelection, Don Rust, said right now there's no action being taken on incorporation. He said eventually the town board may consider hiring consultants to study incorporation.

The debate also turned to economic development.

Brooks said he used to live in Southern Utah and had to drive 50 miles to go to work. He wants to bring responsible industry and manufacturing jobs to Pahrump.

"I've seen the towns that bring the jobs in and they don't necessarily grow up to be the size of Vegas," Brooks said.

Rust said until the town gains control of the public utilities it will have a difficult time attracting businesses to Pahrump.

Parker said the town also lacks a natural gas pipeline and a major highway.

Town board candidate Lu Komorowski talked about developing an industrial park and having a plan to attract friendly businesses. She recalled living in a town that recruited Johnson and Johnson along with Pfizer pharmaceuticals.

Election hopefuls also had their own pet projects and pet peeves.

Town board candidate Mike Darby said he advocates transparent government.

"I want you to see what's going on. I don't want anything behind closed doors or hidden from public view," Darby said. "I also look at the economic times we live in. I know my household, we have to watch our budget. I don't think government should have uncontrolled spending."

Parker said her passion is getting a paved walking path in Petrack Park. She said a lot of people have trouble getting around at community events in walkers and strollers.

Komorowski said she ran a substance abuse clinic for 12 years and advocates more recreational facilities like miniature golf for youths.

Rust urged the audience of over 100 people not to vote for someone who makes promises they can't keep.

Local gadfly Ed Fox got candidates to focus on his complaint, about the need for a new community center.

"Ed, how long have you been asking for this? How many years?" Behrens shouted.

White said he would support a new community center only if the town could afford it. Rust said the town can't afford it. Brooks said he would communicate more with commissioners on requests like that. Parker suggested people look at the combination senior center and community center that was built in Beatty.

The federal detention center was also a topic. Brooks said it will pay some livable wage jobs, enough to support a $250,000 mortgage.

But Behrens was concerned about the safety of the town's children once it's built.

"I don't know anybody in here that voted for that federal detention center," Behrens said.

The detention center will bring "a tremendous amount of income" to Pahrump with a guaranteed federal wage, Parker said.

Another candidates' forum sponsored by the Pahrump Republican Women's Club is scheduled at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2 at the Pahrump Nugget Hotel and Casino.