Here’s the real dirt on Legislature

Erin Neff

Thursday, May 3, 2001 | 9:08 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- With a major bill deadline and news from the Economic Forum behind it, the Assembly took to some ceremonial issues Wednesday.

Nevada not only has an official soil now, but an official tartan for bagpipe and drum corps to wear on their kilts and sashes.

But while official items are growing, the state's directory of cities now numbers one less.

The feel-good vote on Orovada soil and official plaid came with the sobering reminder of what can happen when a mine in rural Nevada dries up. The Assembly unanimously voted to approve the disincorporation of Gabbs, a small town in the northwest corner of Nye County whose assessed valuation continues a steep decline.

"Gabbs was a thriving community," said John Carpenter, R-Elko, who wintered in Gabbs for about 25 years with his livestock herds. "It just points out what can happen in rural Nevada with the demise of the mines."

The Assembly's 41-1 vote on Senate Bill 472 marked the first time a city has been disincorporated by the Legislature. Dawn Gibbons, R-Reno, voted against the bill.

If signed into law by the governor, the bill requires Nye County to immediately begin providing services to Gabbs' 200 residents.

On the official state soils front, students from the Orovada School in Humboldt County have worked tirelessly this session to garner support for Orovada series dirt.

"It's the foundation of our family, our people, the foundation of Nevada," Gibbons said. "It's what makes the dinner."

Dennis Nolan, R-Las Vegas, joked that after building three swimming pools, he thinks the state might consider caliche as its official soil.

Carpenter said he is growing corn in the sample he received from the students, and Tom Collins, D-North Las Vegas, asked for 600 tons to cover his 1 1/2-acre property.

The state tartan employs a variety of colors and stripe schemes, each representing something from Nevada.