LAS VEGAS - Is legalized prostitution a bad legacy to leave for future generations, or an economic stimulant for some financially distressed Nevada towns?
That's the question facing Nye County residents as opponents of the world's oldest profession circulate petitions to outlaw brothels in the county.
Seven of Nevada's 17 counties do not permit prostitution: Pershing, Carson City, Douglas, Washoe, Lincoln, Eureka and Clark, where a state law prohibits it. It is legal in all or parts of the other 10 counties, including Nye.
Chris Nagel says he became involved in the petition drive to ban brothels when his 5-year-old daughter commented on a Pahrump billboard promoting a local brothel.
''That made me start thinking,'' said Nagel, 39.
On April 27, he joined four Pahrump residents - Darrin Edward Tuck, Debra Sue Marquez, David Lytle and Susan Lytle - in a crusade to rid Nye County of the brothel industry. Pahrump is 60 miles west of Las Vegas.
The group Citizens Against Prostitution was formed to try and ban the brothels.
At least 70 copies of the petitions have been sent to all areas of the county, Nagel said.
The petitions require 10 percent of Nye County's registered voters, equal to 957 names, and must be filed with the county clerk's office before a July 28 deadline, said County Clerk Sandra Merlino.
If the group obtains enough valid signatures, the board of commissioners could decide to change the brothel ordinance or put in on the Nov. 7 ballot.
''We believe that prostitution is detrimental to the welfare, growth and development of the families and the children of Nye County,'' said Nagel, a Nevada resident since 1988. ''When something is legal, it's viewed by our children as being acceptable. I just became a grandfather last week. I don't want to leave that legacy for our kids, my kids.''
Mack Moore, owner of Angel's Ladies brothel in Beatty, said the death of brothels in Nye County would devastate the county's income.
Moore said that his brothel brings $1 million a year to Beatty: $500,000 a year in brothel revenue, and $500,000 filtered into Beatty when brothel patrons eat at area restaurants, stay at local hotels, gamble, buy gasoline and souvenirs.
''Beatty is a dying town,'' he said. ''It's gonna hit Beatty hard and it's gonna hit Nye County hard if (prostitution) is banned.''
Joanne Cody, assistant sheriff for Nye County, said the county's seven operating brothels provide an alternative to crime.
''I believe in legalized prostitution. I always have,'' she said. ''It really helps as far as reducing crimes committed, forced rape, that type of thing. If there's a place where these people can go, it helps curb such a crime.''
She said that brothels generate much-needed revenue for the county budget. Between $160,000 and $180,000 generated annually by prostitute registration and licensing fees goes into a county health and welfare fund, Cody said.
