Hold off for a more prosperous economy
How much regulation is enough?
In the beginning, the Foothills residential and business expansion included ownership of their own septic systems and were exempt from corporate aggression. Now, by law, we must use Far West Sewer and Water as our sole provider. Government regulations have changed without the funding, resulting in a defective, overloaded, air-polluting system.
The Yuma area is a perfect environment for independent septic systems with the soil, evaporation and surface water conditions perfect for inexpensive and dependable operation.
We certainly understand that a community system needs funding from the entire community, however, when a large system is not required, we should be allowed to manage our own money and choose who we do business with.
If unfunded regulations are truly required, they must be managed for viability.
As this document is being written, our neighborhood has no water to execute basic sanitation requirements. The water system management/maintenance teams cannot be reached as message system is not functional.
Regardless of rate increases, this style of management will always suffer financially while providing inferior value to the customer.
Insolvency is devastating to anyone or corporation, yet, system management via a community co-op would yield a win for all. It would put an end to the abundant problems that have been exhaustively addressed without response.
It would require volumes to represent all of the valid concerns around further rate increases with the top priority being the user's inability to pay! Financially responsible individuals have postponed their retirement until they are qualified to fund their entire retirement plus a surplus for the unexpected.
Energy, medical, pharmaceutical and unfunded government regulatory mandates (hidden taxes) are a short list of hidden/uncalculated inflation that has exhausted fixed-income families' ability to stay in the race.
A casual glance at the enormous list of businesses and residences being liquidated by Yuma County exemplifies the result of escalating mandates and rising property taxes on our community.
Perhaps our government and large corporations could crank up the sensitivity to the current times. Perhaps many local services/expansions could ramp down until a prosperous economy prevails.
MIKE GAYLORD
Foothills
