Artesia sewage questions not answered adequately


Published on Wednesday, October 8, 2008 9:40 AM MST

Editor:

As reported in the Sept. 21 issue of the Courier, Silver Prina LLC had its preliminary plat for the first phase of Sierra del Sol passed by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

On Oct. 20, the preliminary plat will be considered for approval by the Graham County Board of Supervisors. This is the second of only three opportunities citizens have to ask questions and give input to the supervisors on this project.

The city of Safford has issued a letter indicating intent to deliver water to the first 800 homes of Sierra del Sol. There was no indication that the city of Safford has indicated intent to take sewage from the development.

Here is what Artesia residents have not been told. In response to questioning from Artesia community members, the developers acknowledged they do not plan to construct a sewage treatment facility at Sierra del Sol or to ship the sewage to the city of Safford for the 800 houses in Phase 1. The developers’ plan? They will construct a “community” septic system for the first 100 homes and discharge the wastewater under the development’s golf courses.

This was the developers’ only stated plan in the meeting for dealing with sewage from the first 800 homes.

One developer stated several times in the meeting that it is not feasible for the developers to build a sewage treatment facility until there are 3,000 homes built.

Underground sewage for 2,999 homes?

Discussion at the Planning and Zoning meeting indicated that the preliminary plat was for the initial homes only. Information in the Courier indicates that the preliminary plat is for the homes and an additional 158 acres of commercial development and 52 acres of multifamily housing. The city of Safford letter made no commitment to deliver water to either of these additional areas, and the developers did not say they had any plan for the disposal of sewage from them.

This plan raises many questions that are obvious even to the most casual observer. The Board of Supervisors needs to address this.

If you are a resident of Graham County, and especially Artesia, please attend the County Supervisors meeting on Oct. 20 at 8 a.m. at the General Services building. Ask the supervisors your questions, and tell the supervisors what you think.

This is our community!

Artesia Concerned Citizens

Gordon Pike and

Kristen Hargis, co-chairs

Comments

40 comment(s)

    Relax wrote on Oct 24, 2008 4:42 PM:

    " I don't know what everybody is worried about anyway. Just because Prina develops the property, doesn't mean there will be buyers. Look at all the subdivisions that are still empty. And unsold houses, too! "

    HIS MOMMY wrote on Oct 21, 2008 7:14 PM:

    " TELL YOU MOM TO STOP BLOGGING FOR YOU MAX "

    Mickey Mouse wrote on Oct 21, 2008 12:39 PM:

    " Well how do all you people south of town feel about your supervisors now?
    Were you happy with the board meeting on Monday? "

    Neutral observer wrote on Oct 17, 2008 4:43 AM:

    " I'm not supporting either candidate, Hanging your knowledge on a snippet in the budget report???? You need to contact ADEQ John Burross 602-771-4118 he manages the Waste Tire program for the state, this is were the funding is funneled from and monitored. Get the facts! Why keep bringing false pretenses out that mean nothing, it is hurting your candidate support more than you are helping. Put the conspiracy theory a sleep. "

    to all of your Tires bloggers wrote on Oct 16, 2008 8:02 PM:

    " I don't care what the State Statues say, or what your opinion is, in the Board of Supevisors minutes on March 17, 2008 in the vochers over $1000, the board approved a bill from the city of Safford for the amount of $13296.18, with side note waste tire, moved by Herrington , seconded by John. I read in a copy of the county budget and think it was $700,000 for tire storage. That is lots of money to store tires. Buy yourself a copy of the county budget and check me out. Oh $85 is cost. "

    LORD BE PRAISE wrote on Oct 16, 2008 7:46 PM:

    " If I understand this right, Mark Herrington is a visionary so he must be having visions. What have these visions told him? Invest in plastics, do not take government loans, bet on horse number 13. Really that blog from Definition did not make any sense to me. Any of the rest of understand what was trying to be said? "

    For definition wrote on Oct 16, 2008 7:34 PM:

    " Where in outer space did you come up with those quotes? There is a weerd that growes out in the desert commonly called "loco weed" have you been chewing on it?
    I am so glad you are content with Herrington, as you must realize many don't have the faith in him that you do. I say hurray for Max Hinton to have the courage to throw his hat in the ring and give the people of district 3 a chance to have a choice not more of the same ole 8 years. Vote Hinton "

    To Definition wrote on Oct 16, 2008 5:11 PM:

    " I quote " Visionary is one who experiences a vision or apparition connected to reality.Professional Business savy!" Mark Herrington Professional Business savy! ARE YOU KIDDING? Do tell, what happened to his farm? "

    Definition wrote on Oct 16, 2008 4:45 PM:

    " Visionary is one who experiences a vision or apparition connected to reality.Professional Business savy!

    Dreamer of images, sounds, thoughts and feelings experienced while sleeping, particularly strongly associated with rapid eye movement. Hillbilly with out direction! "

    Re Tires wrote on Oct 16, 2008 3:29 PM:

    " The statue states storage in the verbage. With that in mind are you going to give that enough weight or consideration of the cost for the following: Store tires 1% sort tires 20% transport and disposal of tires 79%. Should be looking at the higher costs not the 1%, Wake up people this is the least of any cost. This is like comparing the amount of a tire to the air inside of it. Open your mind and see the whole picture and quick nitpicken! "

    TO TIRES wrote on Oct 16, 2008 11:58 AM:

    " www.graham.az.gov/Graham_CMS/uploadedFiles/County_Offices/Board_of_Supervisors/Board_Minutes_Agendas/2008/Mar17,%202008.doc "City of Safford Waste Tires $13,296.18"
    I think this clearly states that the county pays Safford to do storage. "

    to Observation October 15 wrote on Oct 16, 2008 7:09 AM:

    " Looking up the word in the dictionary, Visionary it refers you to dreamer. Looking up dreamer it refers you back to visionary. So what is your point? "

    TO OBSERVATION wrote on Oct 16, 2008 6:01 AM:

    " VISONARIES DO NOT LOSE THEIR FARMS!!! "

    Waste Tires wrote on Oct 16, 2008 4:00 AM:

    " This should anwer your questions on what the tire disposal fee is for and is not storage.

    A.R.S. ยง49-1306.B "

    tire storage wrote on Oct 15, 2008 10:41 PM:

    " If the county doesn't pay for tire storage then why is it in the county budget? "

    Marrianne Hinton Rowley wrote on Oct 15, 2008 10:15 PM:

    " and the total I received was $85000+ a thousand dollars short of what I had asked for 5 years earlier. The thing most don't know is the County (that is you and me ) had to pay the Tucson lawyer , the expert witness, and all the other stuff need to prove their point, over $300,000, yes three hundred thousand, plus the $85,000. I to had to pay my lawyer so I ended up getting about a third of what was awarded.
    No "Question" , I nor Max sued the county they sued us. "

    Marrianne Hinton Rowley wrote on Oct 15, 2008 10:09 PM:

    " deputy sheriff, that was exactly 10 days after the death of my husband Max B. Hinton. The then board of supervisors and I talked back and forth and I told them I would sell it for $86,000 (using the People for the West formula). I had to hire a lawyer and expert witnesses, as did the county. In July 2000 we went to trial. Remember I was the one sued by the county. After a few days of trial, the jury came back awarding me $49,999 plus interest from the day I was served with papers "

    From Marrianne Hinton Rowley wrote on Oct 15, 2008 10:03 PM:

    " This is addressed "Question". Let me tell you the truth. The County wanted to take 2 acres of land out of my cotton field, they would give me $2000 for this land. I said no way. The then board of supervisors voted to take it by eminet domain. That is supposed to be for the good of the People. I went to People for the West, the Stewarts of the Range and they have a formula for the price of condemned property. On November 23, 1995 I was served papers by Abner Upshaw, "

    observation wrote on Oct 15, 2008 9:45 PM:

    " visionary: Herrington
    dreamer: Hinton "

    Get informed wrote on Oct 15, 2008 9:10 PM:

    " If the political candidates had half a clue what was going on they would realize how unprepared they are to take office to make redictuless promises. "

    Tire storage NOT wrote on Oct 15, 2008 9:06 PM:

    " This is for disposal fees that everyone has to pay and is built into to every tire that is purchased. "

    Private property wrote on Oct 15, 2008 9:02 PM:

    " If you do not want development buy the property from the developer. Or take what they have the consitutional right to do what they want with there land. "

    TIRES READ THIS wrote on Oct 15, 2008 8:44 PM:

    " www.graham.az.gov/Graham_CMS/uploadedFiles/County_Offices/Board_of_Supervisors/Board_Minutes_Agendas/2008/Mar17,%202008.doc
    I think this clearly states that the county pays Safford to do storage. "

    also voting for max wrote on Oct 15, 2008 8:06 PM:

    " I am voting for Max Hinton because he is a hard working man. We need change in our district, Mark has done nothing but give lip service year after year. He constantly bad mouths the Solomon School and residents of Solomon. Why she we vote for you Mark??? Mark is only out for Mark (since he no longer owns a farm)he is afraid of having no income. Maybe the Solomon ward will take him in and support his family. "

    NEW IDEAS ARE GREAT wrote on Oct 15, 2008 7:54 PM:

    " RUBBERIZED ASPHALT IS A GREAT IDEA!!! From the recycle point of view I think you have something Max. Unlike "TIRES" I understand the difference between total knowledge and good ideas. Good ideas are something this county can stand a little more of. Not underground sewage plant with no drainage in site!~ "

    WRONG wrote on Oct 15, 2008 7:34 PM:

    " The county sued the Hinton's in a condemnation suit. I bet you wouldn't give your property to the county for $2000 an acre either. As farm land, it would produce a lot more income than that over the years. Your county officials spent more money suing the Hinton than the Hinton's asking price in the first place. "

    Go Herrington wrote on Oct 15, 2008 6:53 PM:

    " Do what is right Mark. I trust you will make the right decision. Vote Herrington "

    Tires wrote on Oct 15, 2008 6:51 PM:

    " Graham County does not pay for tire storage and need to research his facts on rubberized asphalt. Come on!! are you for real.. Talk about a bunch of political mumbo jumbo. "

    decision wrote on Oct 15, 2008 6:47 PM:

    " If the BOS does not pass this proposed plat then Graham County will get sued, If they do pass the proposal the Artesia residents is out to remove Herrington from office. Tough decision?? seems like as the best for the residents is for it to be passed. If you had someone like Hinton he would vote it down and the County would get sued like he did on the river bridge. "

    question wrote on Oct 15, 2008 6:35 PM:

    " Is this the same hinton's that sued Graham County over the bridge right of way? "

    YOU KNOW wrote on Oct 15, 2008 5:23 PM:

    " The last 2 Supervisors from Distict 3 have been LDS Stake Presidents!!! Now that needs to change. "

    WOW wrote on Oct 15, 2008 5:18 PM:

    " I can't believe it Max is running against the Mighty Herrington!!! Well done MAX! You got my Vote!!! Nothing like an HONEST MAN to shake things up for the Status Quo! "

    Hinton for Supervisor wrote on Oct 15, 2008 8:54 AM:

    " Max Hinton is a honest hard working family man. He and his wife have 2 children. That said, Max is right in the busiest time of his work when hunters bring in animals for mounting. Max has not knocked on as many doors as he would like but his work demands he take care of the animals right now.
    When talking to Max he will tell you if elected he will do what the majority of the people want not what he wants. He has my vote. He is your servant. "

    ABOUT MAX wrote on Oct 14, 2008 3:05 PM:

    " He also will say what he think not what He thinks you would like to hear. Remember he is nothing like Terry Hinton. "

    I visit with Max cont. wrote on Oct 14, 2008 10:38 AM:

    " the other board members used grant money that is out there. Max runs a taxidermy shop and does great work he is currently renting out his farm. But he has kept both businesses going never having to file for bankruptcy.
    His parents were educators in the local schools. His father is deceased and his mother is very active in volunteer work.
    Max said rather than gripe about affairs in the court house he would run and try and straighten them out. He has given the voters in district 3 a choice not repeat of old. "

    I visit with Max Hinton wrote on Oct 14, 2008 10:30 AM:

    " I stop by Max Hinton taxidermy shop ever so often and that man has so many good ideas that could be implimented in our valley. But who is Max, well his ancestors, and he has a bunch, came here around 1890's, settled and have served the county in many ways. He himself ran for and was elected to the non paying job of school board in Solomon. They worked on the bat problem the school had. The cafeteria got remodeled and some other jobs that did not raise the taxes one time because he and "

    wrote on Oct 13, 2008 11:37 PM:

    " Some people will sign anything????? So is this what Herrington thinks of the will of the people he respresents??? That is sad. I think as a County Supervisor he should haved the interests of those he represents at his fore front no matter what his personal views or thoughts are he was elected to do as the citizens wish and a petition with over 700 signature is a good statement of there wishes IMO. To bad he cannot see that so since we have choice this election maybe people should vote for a change. "

    Interesting wrote on Oct 13, 2008 11:31 PM:

    " To what a crime is shows how well Herrington cares about the people in his district. If 700 plus people sign a petition this should get his attention. So I have to ask who padded his pocket??? I find it interesting to hear that his democrate competition has an open ear and will LISTEN and do what he can if elected. FOr that reason and the fact Herrington has thumb his nose at us in Artesia I plan to vote for Hinton do not know him but hey maybe we need a change. Hopefully he will win! "

    What a crime wrote on Oct 11, 2008 1:01 PM:

    " When people come in with a petition with 700+ signatures and supervisor Herringtons statement is .."some people will sign anything." What a crock. Maybe some but not 700 residents of your district. I think you will find that the other choice for supervisor supports you folks. Vote for him and give him a chance to right this Artesia mess. "

    VOTE wrote on Oct 8, 2008 4:27 PM:

    " If you beleive Herrington will go against the GOOD OLD BOYS and ask the right question your are foolish. Mark thinks "THIS IS HIS COMMUNITY" and he will do as he pleases. "

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