BEATTY -- The perilous state of Beatty's volunteer ambulance service was a major topic of discussion at the Aug. 13 town board meeting.

LaRene Younghans raised the subject under public comment and read a letter to the board from herself and her husband George.

Their letter pointed out that, even when the clinic is open, the ambulance is needed to get seriously ill or injured people to the clinic or a hospital.

The Younghans said, "We need at least one paid EMT located in Beatty so we can get qualified EMTs to volunteer for the rest of the time required to have 24/7 coverage. This board needs to address this issue and find a way to pay an EMT, even it if means redirecting monies budgeted for other items."

Joannie Jarvis said members of the board are working with the county on the EMT situation.

New board member Mike Lasorsa, who has had many years of experience as a fireman with the town's emergency services, said the town doesn't have the needed number of volunteers at present.

Lasorsa said the ambulance service has experienced these "bumps" before. "We have to ride through the bumps," he said. "Maybe we can look at an EMT, maybe two EMTs, until we get over this bump. We need an ambulance service more than a part-time clinic."

Teresa Sullivan said there is a part-time paid position open for an EMT but said the town needs both a doctor and an ambulance service.

Kay Tarr volunteered to help with "big signs" and flyers to advertise the need for volunteers.

Jarvis said she knows several people who are interested in training, but the last round of classes were not at a good time for them. She said more classes need to be made available and that "we need to be creative in our recruiting."

Sullivan spoke of a program in Eureka which makes EMT training available as a class for high school students.

Jarvis reported a possible doctor for the clinic is scheduled for an interview in September. This is another "J-1" physician from the Philippines.

Younghans was concerned that the clinic has been closed on Friday, which would have it closed for the big off-road race later this month.

Jarvis and Sullivan reported that consultations had been held with Beatty Health and Welfare about how best to use the refunded hospital tax money, and Sullivan also said that some residents had made suggestions. Lasorsa said that Brent Jones would also have a proposal on how some of the money could be used on the ambulance barn.

A short related discussion concerned the continued payment to Nevada Health Centers for a provider at the clinic when there was none there.

Taking up matters of business, the board voted to expend $6,500 already budgeted to enable the Beatty Economic Development Corp. to pay property taxes on the Bullfrog property. Chairman Lamar Walters cast the only negative vote, saying that he'd "like to see some light at the end of the tunnel" showing that the property would begin to bring economic development to the town.

Kitty Shubert said the BEDC is looking for alternative sources for the money to pay the taxes.

She compared holding onto the property to the experience of selling a house that might sit unsold for 15 years, then suddenly be worth twice what it had been.

The board supported Kay Parsons' desire for the Nye County Commission to hold one meeting per quarter in Beatty.

Jarvis pointed out commission meetings are currently available via teleconferencing at the Beatty Justice Center. People who wish to speak on a matter at those meetings need to mail or fax a request to speak before the item is opened for discussion.

Still frustrated by their year-long wait to have proposed ordinances reviewed by the district attorney's office, the board voted to send a letter to D.A. Bob Beckett complaining about the delay.

After some discussion the board accepted a bid from Home Depot for materials for the second floor of the new fire hall.

Sullivan wanted to know why these supplies were needed now when the first floor was not finished. Jarvis also wanted to know why Lasorsa didn't just "get a crew together" and get the job done.

Lasorsa, who refrained from the vote on the materials, said that work on the second floor had to begin so that a ceiling could be put in on the first floor and wiring could be completed.

He also said he welcomes any help he can get, and that while people have been helping, it is difficult to schedule a time for a large crew because of differing schedules.

"I'll never refuse help," he added.