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By Sam Hosler
Mayor, Town of Kearny
This is the first of an intended series of short articles about the Town of Kearny to keep the people informed about all sorts of things, including the challenges of being a small town in a city-dominated state. The challenges are easy to enumerate: an aging population, a small tax base, the declining school-age population, the sour economy and its effect on families and businesses, and so forth. We will consider these challenges, and we will also comment on the steps the town government is taking to addresses these issues.
One symbol of our town could be the mulberry trees. Fifty years ago, almost every home sported a mulberry sapling or two, and in a few years the town’s streets were graced with green. Mulberry trees have about a 50-year life, however, and now the trees are ragged, some are dying, and many are completely gone. Our once new homes have also aged The bright sun which we love so much has also taken its toll on houses and fences. The economy has not been kind to us either, and many of our houses stand vacant for months or years at a time. Weeds and accumulated clutter are more common than we would like.
The Town of Kearny is choosing to remedy this in a variety of ways. A citizens’ committee has been formed and planned its first event. Saturday, Jan. 17, has been proclaimed Kearny Clean-Up Day, and residents are being asked to clean up their yards and those of our neighbors. Trucks and trailers will travel around town to pick up the waste and clutter, and groups of people are being asked to take part. Posters will soon be out with the details of what can and cannot be taken to the waste site. Yes, you will hear more about this later.
The mayor and council and all city employees have been asked to begin with their own homes. By the time of the clean-up day, it is our intent to have all these homes city code compliant in all regards, from trimmed trees to clean yards and driveways.
The town has a new code compliance officer, Bob Jacobs, but until the town council and the employees are themselves are code-compliant, he will not issue citations for any but the most egregious violations. The specifics of the town code will also be publicized, making us all aware of the things that will make for a cleaner, safer, and more beautiful town.
Plans are being made to have citizen groups help with the painting of homes and the development of yards and gardens. The next several months will be busy and productive times for all of us.
Thank you in advance for what we are all about to do!
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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