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by Sam Hosler
Mayor, Town of Kearny
The wetter-than-usual Fall and Winter rains have blessed us with a nice crop of poppies and other wild flowers this year… and given most of us yards full of weeds! Even as our beautiful saguaros are looking fat with moisture, my weeds are tall and pull-resistant. Worse yet are the bullheads, which are the toughest of all weeds to destroy.
No one likes pulling weeds, yet having them gone is one of the simplest steps toward town beautification. Having a clean yard is not only aesthetically pleasing but is a positive step toward complying with town codes.
Our Journey for a Clean Kearny continues. From time to time I will write about the town codes which are designed to make our homes safe and desirable places to live in. Key to our compliance with town codes is the understanding that all of us are responsible for the places where we live, from the sidewalk to the back yard. Renters as well as owners are included..
As the town goes about seeking compliance, the Town Council is working to establish a cooperative relationship. Let’s use the weed ordinance as an example.
First, why does the town regulate weeds? Weeds get dry and become a fire hazard, for one thing. For another, weeds are a habitat for snakes and other creatures, including poisonous ones. Weeds also affect property values. Just as someone trying to sell a home which is located in a neighborhood filled with weeds.
The Town of Kearny has a Code Compliance Officer. His name is Bob Jordan. He is an unpaid volunteer who is giving his time and energy for the good of Kearny. The Town of Coolidge graciously provided training for Bob and he is ready and desirous to serve. Bob’s objective is not to write citations; he would rather be a kind of consultant and mentor, helping all of us, especially the sick or handicapped among us, to achieve safe and beautiful places to live.
Bob uses a simple process. If he sees a violation, such as weeds, he will visit the home and let the residents know. He will also ask if they have a way to deal with the violation. If they don’t, perhaps because they are ill or cannot afford to hire help, Bob will work with them to help find a way to remedy the situation.
Bob will issue citations as a last resort or, on occasion, if the violation is a matter of urgent public safety.
And I leave you with a final tip: If you think your home or property may be in violation of a town code, call Town Hall (363-5547) and ask Bob Jordan to pay you a visit. He will gladly make an inspection and let you know what can be done.
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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