by 
Sam Hosler
A friend from my childhood became the first customer at Riggins Aviation a few days ago. He flew into Kearny to visit me and spend the night, but noticed the next morning that his plane had a flat tire. It took some time to procure a tire tube from Chandler, but Doug Riggins immediately jacked up the plane and removed the tire. When the tube arrived he put it in the tire (which is more involved than fixing a flat on a car), and in short order my friend Jess and his wife were up in the air, on their way back to Cottonwood. Yup. Doug had started his business just that day.
Congratulation to Elizabeth Benson, wife of Bob Benson, who has just become an American citizen. This took lots of time and effort on her part, and we are happy to congratulate her. The Bensons have been busy in other ways, too. Bob and Elizabeth both worked hard to receive their GED degrees, and they school their children at home. Busy, productive people!
The Town of Kearny is taking a giant step toward relieving its water shortage, especially in the summer months. A contract was let with Saguaro Well and Pump to redevelop the long unused well number eight, at the slope of the mountains. This and two other pumps were drilled several years ago at great expense, but they soon developed problems. The redeveloped well should have a good flow, and the water is of higher quality than down by the Gila River. It will augment our existing wells and, best of all, will produce water which is not subject to the Gila River Water Accords.
The Town Council passed the new plan and economic development strategy for Kearny. This took several months of work, and involved many townspeople. Copies may be seen at Town Hall.
I have taken a few trips to the Gila to watch rancher Rick Bader as he maneuvers his Caterpillar bulldozer in and over the tamarisks and some of the mesquites while building a fire break and developing access for heavy equipment to reach the area when work resumes in the Fall. It is quite a sight to see, with silty dust billowing up. Floods covered the old fire break with fine silt, a good three or four feet of it (and perhaps more). I know that I could push my cane into the ground with very little resistance almost up to its hilt.
Summer is coming in, and kids will be in the parks and streets. The Kearny Police have already been dealing with speeders and are covering areas where children are known to be close to the roads. Yes, tickets will be issued. By the way, citations will also be issued for dogs at large and for people who violated the leash and waste disposal laws. I do want to thank the people who have used Facebook to notify the community of loose animals and to find lost animals. It’s a good use of social media!
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