During his year on the job Town Manager Bill Kohbarger has made staunch supporters as well as acquiring very vocal detractors who have called for his resignation.

During Monday's meeting, both groups made their points during public comment.

Former board member Don Rust said, "As far as I am concerned, Mr. Kohbarger has performed outstandingly. He is doing what he is supposed to do and the town is being managed quite efficiently."

Dave Stevens agreed that Kohbarger has done an excellent job.

However, Fred Holm, who moved to Pahrump 5 years ago to retire, suggested as in days of yore, throwing rotten fruit at officials for patronizing and laughing at the people's displeasure would be appropriate.

J.D. Cox, a four-year resident, did not think the town could afford Kohbarger and added, "I think he is a joke." He said the previous town manager was "a good, honest man. I don't think we can afford Mr. Bill. He needs to go someplace else, like New Hampshire where they can afford him."

Bruce Calley brought up the fact that Kohbarger was hired by the previous town board and wanted the current board members to scrutinize his resume.

"Pahrump is a unique and diverse community," said Pat Kerby. "There is no reason this variety of people cannot coexist. The town manager and board should reflect the people. That is something we do not have at this time. While he is a very competent man, he wants to shape Pahrump into his view. Mr. Kohbarger doesn't seem to get Pahrump."

Bob Irving said, "I don't like to see people lose their jobs, but I have a big complaint about how he treats volunteers. We have had a number of people resign because of it."

Mark Forry, owner of Auto Body Connection on Highway 160 near Homestead Road, spoke in favor of Kohbarger. "Some of you know the battle I went through starting up my own business ... trying to get through the red tape. This man came through and got it done for me. I want to thank him very much. It's a tough job. Let him take care of it and let him handle it."

Bill Verbeck of Great Basin College, also spoke for Kohbarger. "We need a leader. We don't need a passive, slow mover. We needed someone who would collect these issues that have been simmering and be willing to stick it out there.

"You need a person who won't hide behind his desk and not be concerned about doing what needs to be done in this town. He cares about this community and he wants it to progress forward. I strongly support this man."

Robin Lloyd accused Kohbarger of not telling the truth. "You have lied to me and you lied to the community ... about PTO 43. You can't come into a place like this without getting to know the people first."

Lloyd also said Kohbarger does not show respect for the townspeople. "You can't treat us like a bunch of hicks. Your job is supposed to be to better the community for the people."

Larry Sanford, who has lived in Pahrump for 17 years and has mounted a recall of town board members Nicole Shupp and Bill Dolan, said, "I don't know why Kohbarger was hired in the first place because the last two places he was employed refused to continue his employment."

Former town board member Charlie Gronda said he has been involved with the town since he came to Pahrump 16 years ago. "I see a lot of new faces here. I am in the town office every day and I have worked with seven or eight town managers. What (Kohbarger) does in these meetings is only a small part of his job. I think he should continue on and have a chance.

"He is not getting a raise. All this fighting among the people about a couple of issues is going to hurt this town in the future."

Donna Cox, president of Concerned Citizens for a Safe Community, said , "When Mr. Kohbarger came, he had some good ideas. He said he wanted to incorporate and clean up the town. But the highway still looks bad. He has a bad attitude. He's arrogant.

"He wanted to take our guns away from us. He shoved the (trash) ordinance down our throats and tried to take our Fourth of July fireworks away from us."

Warren Owens said in his area of town there are serious heath concerns because of squatters. "People are squatting below the cracks in the earth. I took it to (Kohbarger) and asked him to do something about it. He took it to the sheriff's office."

Owens said nothing has changed and as the feces and urine dry from people using the land as a toilet the wind blows the contamination through the area, causing breathing difficulties.

"He makes over $100,000 a year. He should save us all a lot of trouble and stand up and resign."

Rosemary Garretty, a Pahrump resident for a dozen or more years, said the meeting was scheduled early in the morning "and without a lot of notification." She said the majority of the community wanted Kohbarger to resign.

Judith Holgren, a resident since 1993, submitted a petition to the board "with a number of signatures" asking for Kohbarger's resignation.

Comments ran slightly less than two to one against Kohbarger; but with just one year under his belt managing what arguably may be one of the most contentious communities in the West, town board members unanimously gave the town manager a vote of confidence to move forward.