Matt Hinkle told the Courier he has complained numerous times to the Graham County Board of Supervisors and Graham County Health Department about the outhouse. He said he also complained about people living in various recreational vehicles on the property.
Hinkle wants to dig a well for an orchard on the west side of his property. He is worried that the outhouse will pollute his intended well.
He said self-contained portable toilets, such as those used as temporary facilities at events and construction sites, were permitted. He added that properly built outhouses with linings or sewage vaults that can be pumped are also allowed at isolated areas such as in a state park. In both of those instances, no waste is allowed to enter the environment.
Hinkle’s neighbor, Glenda (Sue) Bronson, owns the property and lives in a bus parked on it. She told the Courier she is elderly, disabled and living on a fixed income from her Social Security checks.
Bronson describes her outhouse as “just a hole” dug into the earth with no casing or linings. She said she did not get a permit for it.
“Since when do you need a permit to dig a hole?” she asked.
Bronson said she knows her neighbors don’t like her outhouse, but neither does she.
“If I had the money, it would be different,” she said.
Bronson said she had her outhouse pumped out twice by Scarborough Pumping & Porta-Johns.
“I have it pumped when it needs it,” she said.
Brooks Scarborough, the owner of the company, recalled that one of his employees pumped the “hole in the ground” more than eight months ago. He said his company hasn’t been out there since.
According to numerous Web sites about earth-pit privies (outhouses), once the hole is nearly full, it should be filled in with dirt and a slight mound created over it so rainwater won’t puddle.
Hinkle said he has also complained about the living arrangements of people on the property and the accumulation of junk, including travel trailers and an unlivable manufactured home.
Bronson said her property was in even worse shape when Hinkle purchased the land next to it, and he was aware of the condition of the property. She claims Hinkle’s complaints are just another way of harassing her and her family.
Bronson told the Courier she lives in the bus, and her daughter’s family lives in a travel trailer on the property. She said county officials are aware of her situation and that the County Planning and Zoning Department helped her hook up electric utilities to her bus.
She said the travel trailer is also hooked up to the electric utilities.
Will Wright, director of Graham County Planning and Zoning, told the Courier there are no regulations on how many travel trailers landowners can keep on their property. He said travel trailers are not allowed to be a person’s residence in the subdivision on a permanent basis, however, and utilities are not allowed to be connected. He also added that his department would never issue a permit to allow someone to live in a bus.
Wright said he and Greg Moody of the Health Department visited the site about six weeks ago and that he did not see evidence of people living in the travel trailer.
He also said he could not confirm that Bronson was living in the bus because its shades were drawn and nobody answered the door. He said he was unaware of an outhouse on the property.
Moody referred the Courier to Karnes.
Karnes told the Courier the Health Department can neither confirm nor deny the existence of an outhouse on the Bronson property. He said the department will find out and pursue further action as may be appropriate.
He said there are existing planning and zoning violations at the location, however, and he believes Bronson was notified of the violations two to three weeks ago.
He added that Bronson’s claim the county assisted her with utility hookups “is inaccurate to say the least.”




Comments
82 comment(s)LDS Man wrote on Jan 4, 2009 3:46 PM:
Shaesca wrote on Jan 4, 2009 1:14 PM:
Blogger wrote on Jan 3, 2009 3:13 PM:
Good naturedly..if we would have posted an interest in an oversite committee when this article was first posted, we might get a better response.
Still, let's give it a week..
Hey, maybe put a note up at Basha's?
Would be nice to see some sign of community vitality. Once a month, voice your interest..take the minutes of the meeting to the Board of Supervisors. Or ha! Like Luther did in the Reformation post 'em on the Court house door...
Oh, meet at the new Denny's to show our ideas are new too? "
Shaesca wrote on Jan 3, 2009 12:49 PM:
Follow Blogger wrote on Jan 3, 2009 10:51 AM:
I helped work one of the Clinton campaigns when I was in California. I'm all for social change and managed growth. Just the sight of all those cotton farmers selling their land to the top bidder and houses everywhere. Yet, no real manufacturing base, ect. One day Gila Valley will look like every other cookie cutter town if some people don't take an interest.
Count me in; I'll finally be able to put my Management degree to work.
Wanna meet for coffee? "
It doesnt matter who wrote on Jan 2, 2009 4:12 PM:
To Just Another Voter wrote on Jan 2, 2009 1:58 PM:
Now, refresh my memory what started the French Revolution? Did it have anything to do with the apathy of officals in power?
After I sue county for $50,000 for neglect from this out of town attorney
I hired.
Justice must be done. "
To You Are Right wrote on Jan 2, 2009 1:47 PM:
Just another voter. wrote on Jan 2, 2009 8:09 AM:
The court case mentioned in the letter was brought by Graham County against the property owner. There was no “Law” implemented requiring a septic system before electrical power would be supplied. It was a policy that made sense to the County Departments at the time. During the trial Mr. Karnes made it clear that Outhouses are NOT allowed in Graham County. Of course that was in 1995 maybe today things have changed?
The time for you to do something has come and gone with the last election. "
You are right wrote on Jan 1, 2009 12:54 PM:
To Well wrote on Dec 31, 2008 8:49 AM:
Well... wrote on Dec 30, 2008 7:37 PM:
Heres the Rub wrote on Dec 27, 2008 11:30 AM:
Posh offices, salaries..don't county officals take an oath of the public good?
What's wrong with this picture?
Still nothing has done about the lady and her clan in the article polluting the water table.
Let's get the Feds in here to investigate. "
To Just Curious wrote on Dec 27, 2008 10:15 AM:
So again the county let's us down.
Let's not pay taxes next year and see if they sit in their offices and do nothing. Ha!
Private citizens maintaining county roads?
Who ever heard of such a thing? "
Hey Concerned wrote on Dec 22, 2008 5:22 PM:
Dear Concerned wrote on Dec 22, 2008 12:19 PM:
It is about wanting to change. All these new houses in Ash Creek/White Fence Farms area and there sits that ol' school bus and several other abandon trailers, ect. People that don't live in this area apparently aren't convinced we want decent property values and clean water, just like in their neighborhoods.
Hope you have a good holiday and again thank-you for your friendly post.
Let's see if the county does anything. "
Concerned wrote on Dec 22, 2008 11:55 AM:
Poor in Pima wrote on Dec 22, 2008 9:09 AM:
There are several people on the property to help her,"empty the bucket".
She can afford satilite TV, internet service, feed several dogs, ect. Why not a spectic tank? Get one on credit for example. People empathize, fine, yet they don't have to live next door to the situation. "
Bright side wrote on Dec 20, 2008 1:09 PM:
Observer wrote on Dec 19, 2008 5:35 PM:
Lucky wrote on Dec 18, 2008 9:06 PM:
Ditto wrote on Dec 17, 2008 8:18 AM:
Just Curious wrote on Dec 15, 2008 4:34 PM:
amishliving wrote on Dec 15, 2008 9:13 AM:
amishliving wrote on Dec 15, 2008 9:09 AM:
Time to speak wrote on Dec 14, 2008 9:53 PM:
Shaesca wrote on Dec 14, 2008 3:50 PM:
To Amish Living wrote on Dec 14, 2008 12:35 PM:
Matt wrote on Dec 13, 2008 9:08 AM:
amishliving wrote on Dec 13, 2008 8:11 AM:
To Matt wrote on Dec 10, 2008 8:40 PM:
Matt wrote on Dec 10, 2008 7:51 AM:
Time to speak wrote on Dec 9, 2008 9:46 PM:
time to speak wrote on Dec 9, 2008 9:34 PM:
storm wrote on Dec 9, 2008 8:15 PM:
It figures wrote on Dec 9, 2008 4:14 PM:
To Livingamish wrote on Dec 9, 2008 12:32 PM:
To Amishliving wrote on Dec 9, 2008 12:28 PM:
Ezekial wrote on Dec 9, 2008 11:49 AM:
Norm Johnson wrote on Dec 9, 2008 11:47 AM:
how about some generous company donating
a Porta-Potty to this woman? I don't know the cost of a pump-out but, with the January Social Security raise, and some tight budgeting, maybe she can afford the up-keep.
Why, though, is it legal to rent RV Space, including
Utility Hook-ups, to someone, long-term, but not
on one's own property? "
AMISHLIVING wrote on Dec 9, 2008 9:19 AM:
Not Impressed wrote on Dec 9, 2008 7:29 AM:
To Ash Creek wrote on Dec 8, 2008 10:12 AM:
After reading these posts. I'm not going to move after all. Thanks.. "
Matt wrote on Dec 8, 2008 9:17 AM:
concern citizen wrote on Dec 7, 2008 9:26 AM:
Ash creek wrote on Dec 7, 2008 9:18 AM:
To Dear Unfortunately wrote on Dec 6, 2008 2:38 PM:
Pima Duffer wrote on Dec 6, 2008 1:22 PM:
Why would the county only enforce the laws they choose.
On the other hand, why is this poor woman's daughter and grandson mooching off of her? Can't they work or are they on disability as well? I say see if the grandmother would accept assisted living at government housing, such as the apartments by Bashas, and take care of the problems at the property so thisguycangrowhisfruit. "
Dear Unfortuately wrote on Dec 6, 2008 12:13 PM:
I'm here looking after an elderly parent that was born here. To ever get the orchard and garden I want; I'm going to have sell my home at a loss and relocate where sanitation ordinates are respected. God Bless. "
AMBER wrote on Dec 6, 2008 7:48 AM:
Unfortunately wrote on Dec 5, 2008 6:25 PM:
County Resident wrote on Dec 5, 2008 1:58 PM:
I just want something to finally be done.
I'm indifferent if Mormons believe they are saints or if the County Board of Supervisors are having a fancy lunch down in Glendale on taxpapers expense.
Of course, they are both wrong. Yet niether have nothing to do with producing fresh fruit and my orchard getting completed. I didn't kill anyone, I just want the county to take care of the outhouse, so, I can plant my trees in the Spring! "
Matt wrote on Dec 5, 2008 12:49 PM:
People on numberous blog have implied, that the local ruling group keeps dening that they have power and influence here in Gila Valley. That they are not responsible for this, not responsible for that..Gee, I wonder how Prop 102 passed by a greater margin than any other county in Arizona; for example?
So, if I'm three miles South of town and don't live in Pima? Uh, what the name of the town I live in? Thanks for the civil post. "
To Here We Go Again wrote on Dec 5, 2008 12:34 PM:
You saw the photo on the front paper. I have to look at that everyday! And yes it is true..as some people suggest, " if I was a bishop at a local church and complained." This problem may have been taken care of years ago. It's simple demographics. The ruling group in an area has the power to distribute resources. "
Pima Duffer wrote on Dec 5, 2008 10:41 AM:
Here we go again.... wrote on Dec 5, 2008 8:21 AM:
BLAME A MORMON!
It's the easiest way out! Stop with the bitter Mormon diatribes already, it's old. "
To Shaesca wrote on Dec 5, 2008 7:53 AM:
to qwerty wrote on Dec 5, 2008 7:04 AM:
Not the town council wrote on Dec 5, 2008 3:59 AM:
Get out more wrote on Dec 5, 2008 2:38 AM:
Shaesca wrote on Dec 5, 2008 2:33 AM:
Did you see wrote on Dec 4, 2008 10:25 PM:
Concern wrote on Dec 4, 2008 8:54 PM:
qwerty wrote on Dec 4, 2008 8:44 PM:
qwerty - Hello... wrote on Dec 4, 2008 5:07 PM:
qwerty wrote on Dec 4, 2008 3:56 PM:
"Karnes told the Courier the Health Department can neither confirm nor deny the existence of an outhouse on the Bronson property. " Can neither confirm nor deny?? Does Mr. Karnes represent the health department or the CIA? It's not that hard to spot an outhouse. It's 4 pieces of plywood with a half moon on the door. "
qwerty wrote on Dec 4, 2008 3:52 PM:
Shaesca wrote on Dec 4, 2008 12:09 PM:
Area Resident wrote on Dec 4, 2008 8:08 AM:
Cliffordpsanderscox.net wrote on Dec 4, 2008 6:02 AM:
Pima Resident wrote on Dec 3, 2008 9:35 PM:
qwerty wrote on Dec 3, 2008 8:59 PM:
Time to speak wrote on Dec 3, 2008 7:32 PM:
Steve wrote on Dec 3, 2008 6:05 PM:
First hand experience wrote on Dec 3, 2008 4:40 PM:
Not answering the door when authorities come to call is a time honored tradition in that family.
Someone needs to do something about them! "
rebub wrote on Dec 3, 2008 4:09 PM:
AMBER wrote on Dec 3, 2008 3:39 PM:
Matt wrote on Dec 3, 2008 1:44 PM:
Concern wrote on Dec 3, 2008 12:52 PM:
TIME TO wrote on Dec 3, 2008 10:56 AM:
Really wrote on Dec 3, 2008 10:52 AM:
Matt Hinkle wrote on Dec 3, 2008 10:30 AM: