Tim Hafen, a resident of Pahrump since July 1951, was honored as a legend in the community at the Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce inauguration dinner at the Pahrump Nugget Casino Friday night.

"The legend, what does it mean?" asked award presenter Mike Cosgrove, a former Pahrump town manager who was a key player in the development of Mountain Falls. "A legend is not created by one act, but by a continuation of unselfish acts."

Cosgrove quoted from excerpts of a June 2001 Pahrump Valley View article on Hafen's 50th anniversary in the valley.

He used a quote often attributed to Hafen, "I farm for respectability and sell real estate for the money."

The Hafens moved from Mesquite and bought 1,490 acres. They began farming cotton.

Several years ago Hafen was still farming 500 acres of alfalfa in addition to being a broker running Hafen and Hafen Realty Company. The fields have now gone fallow.

Cosgrove touched on just a few of his accomplishments.

Hafen served four terms in the Nevada Assembly from 1966-1974, helped town fathers float a $50,000 bond to build the Pahrump Community Center in 1966 and was chairman of the Valley Electric Association board of directors from 1966 to 1981.

"I met Tim Hafen 12 years ago when Ruth and I came here to take the position as town manager," Cosgrove said, who came here from Wells.

While Cosgrove said he was helping with the development of Mountain Falls, he said Hafen was developing his Artesia project nearby.

"He believed in the growth and what we could do together," Cosgrove said.

His biggest request was responsible government, Cosgrove said.

"I'm proud to say a legend is Tim Hafen," Cosgrove announced.

Cosgrove himself was honored with the chamber's Cornerstone Award two years ago, during the chamber inauguration dinner at the Mountain Falls Resort clubhouse.