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By Sam Hosler
Mayor, Town of Kearny
Let me begin this column with a big “thank you” to Angela Hillan-Ramirez and the Copper Basin Chamber of Commerce for the first Swap Meet and Farmers Market in Kearny last Saturday. It was a solid start and I am sure that, over the months, it will grow into quite an event.
Now, on to another subject. Yes, we have talked about this before. U-turns are, by Town Code, forbidden on Alden. Recently there have been some near-accidents. It is difficult for people who are backing out of parking spaces when another vehicle makes a U-turn to park close to you, for the person backing out is understandably looking for approaching traffic one direction when a U-turn maker is approaching from the other side. I have seen people make U-turns even without using their turn signal.
Yes, most of have had a sudden “I think I’ll get the mail” moment. Please, everyone, over the next couple of weeks plan your approach in order to avoid making a U-turn. It is simple to enter Alden from the other end. There are lots of places to make a legal left and turn around to change lanes. U-turns are simply unnecessary as well as dangerous.
No one is exempt, including our police and town personnel. There will be a “learning period” allowing us time to learn new driving habits when only warnings will be issued, but in a couple of weeks our police department will begin issuing citations. Let’s make Kearny a safer place.
This week starts off rainy then the sunny days return. The cool nights and warm days are good for us, but the rain and sun are also good for the tamarisk plants which are thriving. They are growing quickly, crowding out grasses and other plants. In two years’ time, they will be completely back, creating an incredible fire danger once again.
The Winkelman Natural Resource Conservation District, ASARCO, the ranchers and other landowners and the Town of Kearny are working to do something about this. But the wheels of State and Federal government turn slowly. Here’s hoping a breakthrough occurs and work can begin on eradicating the tamarisk plants, introducing willows and grasses, and providing a safe place for our endangered species. We have a small window of time before the danger comes back.
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