By PAUL JONES
PVT
The Pahrump Town Board voted unanimously at its July 14 meeting to have the town staff begin investigating the possibility of purchasing The Kingdom Gentleman’s Club from the strip-club’s owner, Joe Richards.
Town Manager Bill Kohbarger said in a prepared statement that the town had received numerous complaints about the castle-style club, located on the corner of Highway 160 and Homestead Road in Pahrump.
The complaints, according to Kohbarger, centered around the fact that the kingdom is one of the first prominent buildings that people see upon entering Pahrump if they are traveling from Las Vegas.
Kohbarger went on to say representatives of the town had been introduced to Richards by a “prominent town of Pahrump businessman,” who approached them with the idea of the town, in conjunction with Nye County, potentially purchasing the property.
That prominent business man was Tom Saitta, co-owner of the Saitta-Trudeau car dealership and owner of Tommasino’s restaurant, and he echoed Kohbarger’s view that the purchase of the Kingdom would create a better atmosphere for people traveling to Pahrump along Highway 160.
“The one thing I hate, whenever I come back into town from Las Vegas, is that view that I see when I come up on that strip-joint,” said Saitta.
Saitta went on to explain that he believed if the town purchased the building, it could be renovated to act as a tourist center and possibly also serve as new offices for both the town administrative staff and the Chamber of Commerce.
“I think the town staff and the town office building could be moved in there, which would allow the town office building to be sold to offset the cost of this new building,” Saitta said. “The chamber could move into the building. They pay rent now, they could pay rent in the new building.”
The suggestion to purchase The Kingdom was met with strong support from several local business owners present at the meeting, including Bill Lokin, owner of Pahrump Valley Winery and Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Dan Rodriquez.
“The Kingdom is an eyesore,” said Lokin, whose wine-making business and restaurant receive 75,000 to 100,000 visitors a year who have to make the trip from Las Vegas to Pahrump along the Highway 160 corridor.
“I secured two billboards earlier this year on Highway 160, as you drive into town. Many of you will notice that my sign says ‘turn at Rainbow,’ That was for one reason and one reason only, and it’s because of The Kingdom.”
But the possibility that the town might purchase the strip club was not welcomed by all local business owners, including Harley Kulkin. Kulkin said, while he agreed that the building is an eyesore, he does not want to see the town pay for it.
“If you take over that building you’ve just got another liability. We’re laying teachers off. People can’t find work, but you’re going to buy another building?” said Kulkin. “The problem with this town, like our whole country, is the average American can’t find a decent-paying job. And until we bring in a strong job market in this town, this town will never amount to nothing.”
Pahrump Resident Don Cox was also vehemently against the possibility that Pahrump might purchase the property.
“If the business owners want this building, then they should buy it, not the town of Pahrump,” said Cox. “I agree that The Kingdom, something should be done about it, but I don’t think the taxpayers of Nye County should be footing the bill for it.”
With public comment closed, the board voted 4-0 to allow further investigation by the town into the possible purchase. Nicole Shupp was absent.
Great article! You’ve made some very astute observations and I appreciate the time you’ve taken in your writing.
You know what really cracks me up is that the two anti government guys on the board actually voted yes for this. I say we need to embrace the “adult” trade in town expand it and then tax it to pay for community enhancements, why not we got nothing else going for us.
I say Rock the Outside of the Building to make it look like a True Castle.
Put the Chamber of Commerce in the Building along with a Visitors Center and Gift Shop.
It would be a Huge Boon to the Town.
You might even get BLM, Fish & Wildlife, or the Park Service at Death Valley to go in on the Cost of the Building and Staffing the Building. What about the Yucca Mountain Offices???
Think Outside the Box for Once and do what is best for the Community as a Whole. An Abandoned Building for the Homeless isn’t what I would have in mind, or maybe it is what the Community Wants.
Remember that Oscar Goodman is looking for a Place to Send his Homeless to.
Or you can have Tony turn it into the New Jail. Then he would have the Castle to Rule his Kindom in.
Why is it that Pahrump And Nye county are always involved in some of the most stupid ideas and plans of any small town in the country.
I have lived here for more than thirty years and have come to one conclusion. Its the people that are the problem not the Town or the County. Mr. Saitta if it bothers you that much buy it and put in another used car lot, it will fit in with the one that is just down the street.
I ask my fellow Pahrumpians, do you want your tax dollars to go to a project that will enrich 2 or more private businesses? I have nothing against the Winery (I am a frequent visitor) or the dealership. But unless they are giving Pahrumpians a cut of their businesses, then there is no reason for us to help fund their private “for profit” companies.
This is just more progressive socialism. The solution to every problem is not government. If the people of the Winery and the car dealership are offended by the Kingdom, let them buy it with their own money and tear it down. It’s easy to spend other people’s money. Spend your own money and quit complaining.
instead of buying the kingdom fix hometsead. out priorities are a little mixed up in this town. are saitta and the owner of the winery the new “good old boys?” they talk and board should jump? like Harley said ; we are laying off teachers. we are wasting tax dollars just talkinig about it at meetings.