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The citizens of Mammoth, Kearny, and Superior will want to learn about two November ballot items, Propositions 416 and 417, because if they pass each of the town governments will receive $300,000 a year for transportation uses. The Town of Eloy will also receive the same amount.
The big purpose of the ballot items is to strengthen and sustain a new transportation system for Pinal County, connecting East to West and North to South and making new community developments possible. The system is to be funded with a ½ cent sales tax for the next 20 years. Since the bulk of the system is located in urban or soon-to-be urban areas, the propositions include the $300,000 per year as a “balance of benefits” to rural Pinal County.
It is my opinion that the passage of these propositions to enable the Pinal Regional Transport Authority (RTA) to begin work is positive, for both urban and rural areas. This new funding would not reduce existing state funding for town roads. Also, since the State of Arizona periodically “raids” the state allocation for towns, the amount varies considerably from year to year, making transportation planning for the towns difficult. The $300,000 figure could be counted on, and the state’s additional funding would be a plus.
Sam Hosler
As news accounts come out, please study the ballot issues carefully before you vote in November. I’ll say more about these issues after I read the full text of the propositions.
Kudos to the Town of Kearny for being responsive to citizen desires regarding the summer swimming program. The family fun nights at the pool have been well received, and only slight adjustments had to be made to the fee schedule. The pool staff are to be commended as well for their fine job.
The final family fun night at the pool will be this Saturday, July 29, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The fee is $5 per family, and pool passes will be honored.
School is about to begin (yes, already!). The faculty, administration, and supportive staff of the schools in Kearny and Hayden/Winkelman will have conferences next week. For several years now, the people of The Church of the Good Shepherd in Kearny have provided a meal for everyone working at the schools. This year the Ray Schools will gather at Ray Hall of the church for a luncheon and relaxing fellowship on Tuesday, August 1, at 11:30 a.m. The Hayden/Winkelman Schools will be treated to a breakfast on Wednesday, August 2, at 7:30 a.m. in the district office mini-auditorium. The congregation raises the funds and prepares and serves the food to let everyone know that education is valued in the Copper Basin.
Speaking of Good Shepherd Church, the congregation has a new pastor, The Rev. Michael Eaton, who began three weeks ago after the retirement of Pastor Nina Yardley. Pastor Eaton is “riding the circuit” of St. Paul’s Church in Globe and Good Shepherd in Kearny. He is in Kearny each Sunday for the 9 a.m. worship service, which is preceded at 8:30 a.m. with a light breakfast and time for fellowship. Pastor Eaton is also in residence in Kearny on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
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