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This letter is regarding the chip-seal project for the Redington Road. I would like to thank Pinal County for all it has done in the past and for future efforts to help the Redington area residents to have a safer, cleaner, and more prosperous environment. Not all may agree with me and I’m sure they have their reasons but I’d like to share not only my family’s opinion but many of our friends and neighbors who have resided on the River for many many years. Some believe this is the best thing that’s happened to us since we got telephones!
Some of the examples:
The Redington School District purchases a school bus every five years. The last bus cost $91,930.73. It is supposed to last five years with maintenance starting at about two years – sometimes sooner – the last bus we had the trade-in value was $14,000.
Both School Districts (Redington and Mammoth-San Manuel) agree not only the cost to both Districts would be an improvement but first and foremost would be the safety of the students. This last Friday it took me nine hours to get home (and that was a good day). Pinal County got us through safely. Thank you.
The last area directory I did for deliveries and emergency responders there were 73 families –that includes Pinal and Pima.
There are about 10 ranches and farms that have to rely on products to either be shipped in or out to make their living. Around 750 tons of hay is grown in the valley every year – they grow the best hay but just have problems shipping it. Because of these ranches and farms we have 100s of 1000s of acres of open space for wildlife, hunting, recreation etc. If these people can’t make a living they will be forced to sell out and most likely subdivide these lands. I don’t think any of us want to see that happen but folks have to make a living.
Not only upkeep on the personal vehicles but UPS, Fed Ex, Matlock Gas, Ambulances, Police, etc. don’t have a choice in servicing the area. A deputy stopped me a few years ago and told me the tail light on the truck wasn’t working – I told him I was just happy I had a tail light! Those that do have a choice sometimes either refuse to bring their equipment or charge extra for the wear and tear.
Last but not least by any means is health. In the last few years some of our residents who have been in their homes for 30 plus years have had to move due mostly to pulmonary disease. It’s also hard to get medical assistance to the area. I’m talking the full time home health care. The ambulance service does the best they can but response time is sometimes critical but understandable. That in itself is sad. I realize it’s a matter of choice and I would not like to live anywhere else. It’s been our home for almost 38 years. I pray we never have to make that decision.
Finally, what I would like to propose is to extend the Intergovernmental Agreement between Pinal and Pima County to include the chip sealing to the bridge at Redington. For those of you that don’t know we’ve had an agreement between the two counties for over 15 years for Pinal to maintain the Pima portion of the road down as far as the school bus goes. That agreement just made sense for everyone and we appreciate it. Those of us that are in Pima County, because of the isolation and distance from Tucson, especially thank Pinal County not only for the road maintenance but for the help from the Sheriff’s Office until Pima can respond. Services some take for granted usually take time to get to us.
Thanks again,
/s/ Judy Dykes and the Dykes family
Redington residents
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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