Last year, residents of Landers—unhappy with double digit water rate increases—wrestled control of water from the County and gave it to Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency. Now there’s a new plan afoot; this one calls for taking road maintenance into their own hands. Reporter Mike Lipsitz has details …
About 50 people turned out for last Saturday’s Landers Association meeting. Most came to hear from the self-appointed Landers Road Committee about a plan to put maintenance of the 163 miles of unpaved roads into the hands of those who live there. James Pluth, the committee’s de facto leader, explained the plan to form a Rural Development Co-op. The co-op would be owned by renters and property owners willing to invest about $50 per share with an initial target of selling 200 shares. A governing board selected from among share owners would run the co-op. The first monies collected would be used to apply for grants, and begin testing some low-cost techniques for stabilizing the dirt roads and controlling dust. When asked for a show of hands, the overwhelming majority of those present indicated they would be willing to buy one or two shares. With that, the committee decided to move to the next step which involves filing with the state.
LANDERS RESIDENTS DECIDE TO TAKE ROAD MAINTENANCE INTO THEIR OWN HANDS (MIKE)
